Location Guide • East Midlands
Metal Detecting in Rutland
England’s smallest county but one of its most productive per square mile. Jurassic limestone and ironstone give superb preservation, and Roman Ermine Street crosses the county.
Top Site Type
Limestone arable farmland
Best Detector Type
Multi-frequency
Region
East Midlands
Recorded finds · Portable Antiquities Scheme
Metal Detecting Finds Recorded in Rutland
3,438 archaeological objects have been officially recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Rutland.
Rutland Finds by Historical Period
Most Commonly Found Objects in Rutland
Coin 1,481Brooch 196Vessel 195Buckle 179Mount 110Weight 85Spindle Whorl 67Scraper (tool) 64
Roman and Medieval material leads Rutland's recorded finds, with coin the most common object type.
Recent Rutland 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 Rutland. Browse the wider clubs directory for nearby options.
Rutland Finds Liaison Officer
PAS Analysis
Of the 3,438 objects recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Rutland, the Roman period is the strongest (1,262 finds), followed by Medieval, Post Medieval. The most commonly recorded objects are coin, brooch and vessel, with coin alone accounting for 1,481 records.
Geology, Site Types & Detecting Tips in Rutland
Geology
Jurassic limestone and ironstone – outstanding metal preservation comparable to Northamptonshire and the Cotswolds. River Chater and Welland valley gravels.
Site Types to Target
Limestone arable farmland, Rutland Water fringe fields, Ermine Street corridor fields
What You Can Find
Roman coins and bronzes, Iron Age Corieltauvi coins, Bronze Age hoards, medieval material from the county’s farming estates
Notable Discoveries
Rutland has produced a remarkable density of finds per area of farmland. The Rutland Roman Mosaic (2021) was found by a detectorist – one of the most significant recent Roman discoveries.
Detecting Tips
Don’t overlook this tiny county – it packs an extraordinary amount into a small area. Every field near the limestone ridge is worth investigating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go metal detecting in Rutland?
You can detect on private land in Rutland 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.
Is metal detecting legal in Rutland?
Yes. Metal detecting is legal in Rutland 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 Rutland?
Rutland 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 Rutland?
Rutland has 3,438 objects recorded with the PAS, with the Roman period the most common. The most commonly recorded objects are coin, brooch and vessel, with coin alone accounting for 1,481 records.
Sources & Last Checked
PAS data from finds.org.uk, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Last checked July 2026.
Find local detectorists, clubs, suppliers and FLOs
Detecting in Rutland?
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