Metal Detecting Code of Conduct

UK History Finders is committed to responsible metal detecting and protecting the land, archaeology and relationships we have with landowners.

By attending a UK History Finders dig or event, you agree to follow this Code of Conduct and any additional instructions provided by the organisers or landowner.

Membership & Insurance

You must hold a valid UK History Finders Membership where required for the event.
You must have appropriate metal detecting insurance through a recognised organisation such as the NCMD, FID or AMDS.
You may be asked to provide proof of membership or insurance.
Only registered and authorised attendees may detect on the land.

Permission to Detect

Only detect within the fields and areas specifically authorised for the event.
Never enter neighbouring fields, private areas, farm buildings or restricted areas without permission.
Do not return to an event field at a later date without direct permission from the landowner and UK History Finders.
Respect all boundaries, gates, fences, crops and livestock.

Respect the Land

Always fill your holes properly and leave the ground as tidy as possible.
Do not leave open holes, loose soil or dangerous ground conditions behind you.
Do not deliberately damage crops, grass, trees, fences or other property.
Do not dig excessively large or unnecessarily deep holes.
Take all rubbish and unwanted metal finds with you.
Leave gates exactly as you find them unless instructed otherwise.

Archaeology & Recording Finds

Responsible recording of archaeological finds is an important part of metal detecting.

We strongly encourage detectorists to record eligible archaeological finds with their local Finds Liaison Officer (FLO) through the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
Important archaeological finds should be reported to the event organiser.
Do not deliberately disturb archaeological features or structures.
If you discover an unusual concentration of archaeological material, stop digging and inform an organiser.
Never knowingly damage, destroy or conceal an archaeological object or feature.

Treasure Finds

Any find that may qualify as Treasure under applicable UK law must be reported in accordance with the legal requirements in force at the time.

Potential Treasure finds must be reported promptly to the appropriate authorities.
Please also notify UK History Finders so that we can assist with the landowner and reporting process.
Do not clean, damage, alter or dispose of a potential Treasure find unnecessarily.
Accurately record the location where the object was discovered.

Finds & Landowner Agreements

All attendees must respect any finds agreement in place between UK History Finders and the landowner.

Significant or valuable finds must be declared to the organiser where required.
Any landowner share or finds agreement applicable to the event must be honoured.
Attempting to conceal a significant find to avoid a landowner agreement may result in removal from the event and exclusion from future UK History Finders events.

Safety

You attend and detect at your own risk and should take reasonable care for your own safety and the safety of others.
Be aware of farm machinery, livestock, uneven ground, holes, ditches, electric fences and other countryside hazards.
Keep a safe distance from operating agricultural machinery.
Children must be appropriately supervised by a responsible adult.
Follow all safety instructions given by UK History Finders staff, marshals or the landowner.

Unexploded Ordnance & Dangerous Items

If you discover suspected ammunition, explosives, unexploded ordnance or another potentially dangerous object:

Do not touch, move, clean or attempt to open it.
Move away from the immediate area.
Warn other detectorists nearby.
Inform an event organiser immediately.
Where appropriate, the relevant emergency authorities will be contacted.

Respect Other Detectorists

Give other detectorists reasonable space while detecting.
Do not deliberately follow another detectorist or interfere with their search area.
Be respectful towards other attendees, organisers, landowners, staff and members of the public.
Threatening, abusive, aggressive or discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated.

Vehicles & Access

Park only in designated parking areas.
Do not drive onto detecting fields unless specifically authorised.
Do not block gateways, farm tracks, emergency access routes or public roads.
Follow all parking and access instructions provided by the organisers.

Wildlife & Countryside

Respect wildlife, livestock and the surrounding countryside.
Do not disturb nests, wildlife habitats or livestock unnecessarily.
Dogs must be kept under proper control and on leads where required.
Do not leave litter, food packaging or detecting waste behind.

Event Organiser Instructions

Instructions given by UK History Finders organisers, marshals or the landowner must be followed.

UK History Finders reserves the right to stop detecting in any area or close a field where necessary for safety, agricultural, archaeological or landowner-related reasons.

Breaches of the Code of Conduct

Serious or repeated breaches of this Code of Conduct may result in the attendee being asked to leave the event and may result in suspension or exclusion from future UK History Finders digs and events.

Where appropriate, serious incidents may also be reported to the landowner or relevant authorities.

By booking or attending a UK History Finders metal detecting dig or event, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to follow this Metal Detecting Code of Conduct.