Dig Deeper

🌱 The Green Hobby

Metal detecting is one of the most environmentally friendly hobbies you can have. Here's why:

Zero carbon footprint - Just you, a detector, and a walk in nature
Field cleanup - Detectorists remove thousands of tons of scrap metal from farmland every year
No chemicals or waste - Unlike many hobbies, detecting leaves no trace
Promotes outdoor activity - Hours of walking in fresh air, not staring at screens
Supports farmers - Removing metal debris protects machinery and livestock
Preserves history - Finds that would rust away are saved and recorded

⚡ How It All Began

1881

Alexander Graham Bell invents the first metal detector - to try to find a bullet lodged in President James Garfield after an assassination attempt. It didn't work (the metal bed frame confused it).

1925

Gerhard Fischer patents the first portable metal detector while researching radio direction-finding.

1931

Dr. Charles Garrett begins experimenting with metal detectors in his garage - eventually founding Garrett Metal Detectors.

1960s

Transistor technology makes detectors lighter and more sensitive. The hobby begins to grow.

1970s

The UK metal detecting boom begins. Clubs form across the country.

1996

The Treasure Act becomes law in England & Wales, giving finders rights to rewards.

2009

Terry Herbert finds the Staffordshire Hoard - 11 pounds of Anglo-Saxon gold worth £3.3 million. The largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found.

2014

"Detectorists" TV show airs on BBC Four, introducing millions to the hobby.

2026

JOMF launches - bringing organised detecting with shared rewards to a new generation.

🏆 UK's Biggest Finds

These treasures were all found by ordinary people with metal detectors. Could you be next?

Staffordshire Hoard £3,285,000

2009 • Staffordshire • 11 lbs of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver

Hoxne Hoard £1,750,000

1992 • Suffolk • 15,234 Roman coins, gold jewellery, silver spoons

Frome Hoard £320,250

2010 • Somerset • 52,503 Roman coins in a single pot

Vale of York Hoard £1,082,000

2007 • North Yorkshire • Viking silver in a gilt cup

Ringlemere Cup £270,000

2001 • Kent • Bronze Age gold cup, 3,700 years old

🎲 Did You Know?

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1.5 Million Finds

The Portable Antiquities Scheme has recorded over 1.5 million finds made by metal detectorists since 1997.

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Royal Approval

King Charles III is patron of the Portable Antiquities Scheme and has praised detectorists for their contribution to history.

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Museum Treasures

Over 90% of items in the British Museum's medieval coin collection were found by metal detectorists.

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200,000 Detectorists

An estimated 200,000 people in the UK actively metal detect. It's one of the fastest-growing hobbies.

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Average Find Time

Most detectorists find something interesting within the first 2 hours of searching a new field.

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Treasure Rewards

Under the Treasure Act, finders receive the full market value of declared treasure, split with the landowner.

📊 By The Numbers

1,500+

Treasure finds per year

£10M+

Paid to finders annually

200K

UK detectorists