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The New Forest National Park Authority recognises the important contribution that archaeological objects of all types, including metal-detected material, can make to increasing our understanding of the past. However, it also recognises that potentially serious negative impacts can result from the unstructured collection and recording of historic material.
Archaeological objects are a powerful link to our past, and metal detecting can play a valuable role in discovering these stories of the local area. When finds are recorded and shared with other people, they help tell these stories. But when objects are not recorded this potential is lost. Finds are most important within their context – their relationship to structures, deposits and the full range of finds – all contributing to the wider understanding of a place, an event, a site or landscape.
When finds are taken out of context, a piece of the jigsaw is lost, making it harder to tell the stories of our places and care for the nation’s heritage.
Archaeologists, historians and those tasked to look after our nation’s rich heritage prefer that objects from our past are not removed through metal detecting. When they are, this must be done in accordance with the law and best practice. We rely on the goodwill of the metal-detecting community to fully record and report their finds with the archaeological authorities. Remember, when you are out metal detecting you are an ambassador for your hobby!
For the current government advice on reporting treasure, wreck material or archaeological finds in England and Wales see: Report treasure, wreck material or archaeological finds on the Gov.uk website
Restrictions and permissions
You must obtain permission from the landowner before using a metal detector. This includes land to which the public have rights of access such as beaches, footpaths, or council-owned land.
Under UK law there is no such thing as “finders keepers”. You always need the landowner’s permission to detect on an area of land and to keep anything you find on their land.
Land ownership/management in the New Forest National Park (NFNP) is complex. The New Forest National Park Authority (NFNPA) does not own any land and is unable to grant permission for the use of metal detectors in the New Forest National Park. Detecting in many areas within the Park is restricted by their landowners.
The following restrictions apply specifically to the New Forest:
If you are uncertain whether the area of interest falls into any of these categories, relevant designations can be checked using online free mapping called MAGIC GIS.
Guidance for landowners, occupiers and tenant farmers
As highlighted above there may be additional protections and/or designations on the land you own, occupy or rent. These (e.g. SSSI, Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme) may prevent you granting permission for metal detecting on land you own or manage.
For more information visit the Portable Antiquities Scheme’s website : Metal-detecting, Field-walking and Searching for Archaeological Objects: guidance for landowners, occupiers and tenant farmers in England and Wales.
Best practices if you obtain permission to metal detect
If you do obtain permission to metal detect in the New Forest National Park, please familiarise yourself with the Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting in England and Wales (2017) and the Code of Conduct set out by the National Council for Metal Detecting.
Please adhere to the following general guidelines:
Reporting your discoveries
An important law is the 1996 Treasure Act. As well as items of precious metal over 300 years old (such as gold or silver), Treasure includes groups of coins or prehistoric metal. You must report these to the local Coroner within 14 days of finding them.
Breaking the law by illegal detecting or failing to report Treasure may lead to prosecution. Please be aware of the law and the Codes of Practice and seek advice if unsure.
To help identify and catalogue your finds, and enable the Treasure Process, the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) provides a network of Finds Liaison Officers (FLOs) to record your finds on the national database: www.finds.org.uk.
Your FLO can also help you navigate the laws surrounding detecting and is your first point of contact for reporting Treasure finds to the coroner.
Contact your Hampshire FLOs at: flo@hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk
Contact your Wiltshire FLOs at: PAS@salisburymuseum.org.uk
For more information about responsible metal detecting visit:
Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting in England and Wales (2017)
Have you witnessed or seen evidence of a Heritage Crime?
If you are out and about in the New Forest National Park and witness what you suspect is illegal metal detecting in progress or come across evidence of a heritage crime, please report the crime to the police and the landowner immediately.
Contacting the police
Call 101 to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response, such as:
101 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Contacting Crimestoppers
To remain anonymous while passing on information about criminal activity, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting their website.
You will never have to give a formal statement, talk to police or be a witness in court, and you could receive a reward of up to £1,000 if the information you provide leads to the arrest and charge of at least one person.
Crimestoppers line is also open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Contacting the landowner
Please also contact the relevant landowner immediately. It can be tricky to know whose land you are on, so please feel free to email us at archaeology@newforestnpa.gov.uk if you are unsure. Contact details for some landowners in the New Forest are listed below.
Forestry England
Tel: 0300 067 4601
Email: southern.permissions@forestryengland.uk
National Trust
Tel: 0142 565 0035
Email: info.newforest@nationaltrust.org.uk
New Forest District Council
Tel: 02380 285000
Email: open.spaces@NFDC.gov.uk
Working in partnership to care for this special place.
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