ROMANRoman copper alloy brooch
A fragment of a Roman copper alloy possible Knee brooch, dating to c AD100-200.
Explore this findPhoto: Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum · CC-BY
Licence label and image metadata on the linked PAS record.
Location Guide • South West
Metal Detecting in Wiltshire
Potentially the finest detecting county in England. Avebury, Stonehenge, Silbury Hill – the chalk downs here contain extraordinary Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman and Saxon heritage.
Top Site Type
Chalk downland arable
Best Detector Type
Multi-frequency
Region
South West
FROM THE PORTABLE ANTIQUITIES SCHEME
Metal Detecting Finds
in Wiltshire
Selected archaeological finds from the PAS records for Wiltshire.
- Database records
- 42,967
- Recorded objects
- 64,441
ROMAN
ROMANRoman copper alloy buckle
A Late Roman copper alloy buckle plate dating to c AD 350-450. Hawkes and Dunning Type 1B. The plate is folded in half at…
Explore this findPhoto: Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum · CC-BY
Licence label and image metadata on the linked PAS record.
Wiltshire Metal Detecting Clubs
Wiltshire Finds Liaison Officer
Geology, Site Types & Detecting Tips in Wiltshire
Geology
Chalk dominates the entire county (Salisbury Plain, Marlborough Downs, Vale of Pewsey) – outstanding preservation. River Kennet, Avon and Wylye valley terraces are also excellent.
Site Types to Target
Chalk downland arable fields (Marlborough Downs, Salisbury Plain fringe), Vale of Pewsey farmland, Kennet and Avon valley fields, Cranborne Chase extension
What You Can Find
Bronze Age metalwork (exceptional density), Iron Age coins and torcs, Roman coins and high-status jewellery, Saxon gold and silver, medieval material
Notable Discoveries
Numerous Bronze Age hoards from Wiltshire, including gold and bronze. Silbury Hill and Avebury area has produced prehistoric material of international significance. Roman Cunetio (Mildenhall) is a major site.
Detecting Tips
The whole county is exceptional. The Marlborough Downs between Devizes and Marlborough are outstanding. Target fields adjacent to Neolithic and Bronze Age earthworks – they were lived in for thousands of years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go metal detecting in Wiltshire?
You can detect on private land in Wiltshire 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 Wiltshire?
Yes. Metal detecting is legal in Wiltshire 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 Wiltshire?
Wiltshire 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 Wiltshire?
PAS lists 42,967 database records representing 64,441 recorded objects for Wiltshire, checked 2 November 2026. These are recorded entries rather than a count of every find made. The period and object-type categories shown in the PAS section are selected, incomplete lists.
Can I metal detect on council land in Wiltshire?
National Park guidance identifies a detecting restriction on Wiltshire Council land. Confirm the current position with the council for your chosen site.
Sources & Last Checked
PAS data from finds.org.uk. Last checked 2 November 2026.
Find local detectorists, clubs, suppliers and FLOs
Detecting in Wiltshire?
Submit your club, suggest a correction or share a great spot – help make this guide the best local resource for detectorists in Wiltshire.
Submit a ListingSuggest an Edit
