The Jurassic limestone and ironstone give remarkable finds preservation, and the county sits at the crossroads of several Roman roads. Consistently excellent for material from all periods.
FROM THE PORTABLE ANTIQUITIES SCHEME
Selected archaeological finds from the PAS records for Northamptonshire.
POST MEDIEVALAn incomplete copper alloy Buckle of Post-Medieval date (AD 1660-1720). The object is a sub-annular knee buckle with a drilled frame and separate spindle…
Explore this findPhoto: Eleanore Cox / Northamptonshire County Council · CC-BY
Licence label and image metadata on the linked PAS record.
POST MEDIEVALA complete copper alloy Strap Fitting of Post Medieval date (AD 1550-1650). The object is a zoomorphic belt hook and is S shaped with…
Explore this findPhoto: Eleanore Cox / Northamptonshire County Council · CC-BY
Licence label and image metadata on the linked PAS record.
Jurassic limestone and ironstone soils – outstanding preservation. River Nene and Welland terrace gravels. Some Boulder Clay in the north.
Limestone and ironstone arable farmland, Nene valley fields, fields along Watling Street and Fosse Way crossings
Roman coins and high-quality bronzes, Iron Age Corieltauvi coins, Bronze Age hoards, medieval dress accessories and coins
Northamptonshire has a remarkable density of hoard finds. The county’s ironstone and limestone combine to give preservation comparable to the Cotswolds.
The limestone and ironstone belt across the county gives the best preservation. Target areas away from major towns where competition for permissions is lower.
You can detect on private land in Northamptonshire with the landowner’s permission. You must avoid scheduled monuments, SSSIs and other protected sites. Joining a local club is the easiest way to reach permissioned land.
Yes. Metal detecting is legal in Northamptonshire 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.
Northamptonshire 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.
PAS searches retrieved on 30 October 2026 contain 24,831 database records representing 28,129 objects across North and West Northamptonshire. Roman is the leading captured period; coins lead the selected object types, with vessels and buckles also prominent. These period and type lists are incomplete.
Oundle Town Council says detecting is not permitted on its land. Check separately with West Northamptonshire, North Northamptonshire or the relevant parish council for other sites.
PAS data from finds.org.uk. Last checked 30 October 2026 (PAS figures only).
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