Metal Detecting in Durham
A county with a rich medieval heritage centred on Durham City. The Tees valley and coastal plain offer the best detecting, with Roman fort material from the Wall and Dere Street corridor.
Recorded finds · Portable Antiquities Scheme
Metal Detecting Finds Recorded in Durham
2,446 archaeological objects have been officially recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Durham.
Durham Finds by Historical Period
Most Commonly Found Objects in Durham
Post Medieval and Medieval material leads Durham's recorded finds, with coin the most common object type.
Recent Durham Metal Detecting Finds
Data and images from the Portable Antiquities Scheme (finds.org.uk), © The Trustees of the British Museum, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Figures reflect objects voluntarily recorded by finders and do not represent all finds made in the county. Last updated July 2026.
Nearby Metal Detecting Clubs
No clubs are currently listed in Durham. Browse the wider clubs directory for nearby options.
Beaches & Coastal Detecting
Durham has a coastline, and beach detecting follows different rules to farmland. Most foreshore between the high and low water marks in England is Crown Estate land, and the Crown Estate operates a general permission for recreational detecting on much of its managed foreshore, though you should check the current terms. Council-owned beaches often need the local authority’s permission, and some beaches are privately owned or leased. Always check for scheduled monuments, SSSIs and local byelaws before detecting, and never detect where it is signposted as prohibited.
PAS Analysis
Of the 2,446 objects recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Durham, the Post Medieval period is the strongest (890 finds), followed by Medieval, Roman. The most commonly recorded objects are coin, token and buckle, with coin alone accounting for 755 records.
Geology, Site Types & Detecting Tips in Durham
Geology
Carboniferous limestone in the west, Coal Measures in the east (largely industrial), Magnesian Limestone ridge in the east giving good preservation. River terrace gravels along the Tees and Wear.
Site Types to Target
Tees valley arable farmland, Magnesian Limestone ridge fields, fields adjacent to Dere Street (Roman road) and Hadrian’s Wall in the west
What You Can Find
Roman military material, medieval monastic items near Durham Cathedral area, post-medieval material from former farming communities
Notable Discoveries
Roman finds from the Dere Street corridor are consistent. Medieval material associated with the Bishopric of Durham has been found in the Wear valley.
Detecting Tips
The Magnesian Limestone ridge is underdetected compared to southern chalk counties but offers comparable preservation. Worth targeting systematically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go metal detecting in Durham?
You can detect on private land in Durham with the landowner’s permission, and on much of the Crown Estate foreshore if you are on the coast. You must avoid scheduled monuments, SSSIs and other protected sites. Joining a local club is the easiest way to reach permissioned land.
Is metal detecting legal in Durham?
Yes. Metal detecting is legal in Durham on land where you have the landowner’s permission, as long as you avoid protected sites and follow the law on reporting treasure and recording finds.
Who is the Finds Liaison Officer for Durham?
Durham is covered by a Portable Antiquities Scheme Finds Liaison Officer who records finds made by the public. See the FLO section on this page for contact details, or search finds.org.uk.
What finds turn up in Durham?
Durham has 2,446 objects recorded with the PAS, with the Post Medieval period the most common. The most commonly recorded objects are coin, token and buckle, with coin alone accounting for 755 records.
Sources & Last Checked
PAS data from finds.org.uk, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Last checked July 2026.
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Detecting in Durham?
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