Where Harold fell in 1066 and the course of English history changed forever. Sussex offers some of the most historically significant detecting ground in Britain, from the Norman Conquest battlefield to Roman villas hidden beneath the South Downs.
Earn from finds across Sussex - even if you don't discover them yourself
Join the Sussex Region💰 Example: A £2,000 find could earn members £50-£200
⚡ Limited spaces available in each region
Sussex occupies a special place in British archaeology. The county stretches from the chalk heights of the South Downs to the clay lowlands of the Weald, each zone with its own distinct detecting character. The coastline made it a natural landing point for invaders and traders alike, while the fertile valleys supported wealthy Roman estates and medieval manors.
For metal detectorists, Sussex offers remarkable variety. The South Downs produce Celtic and Roman finds from ancient trackways and hillforts. The coastal plain, particularly around Chichester and Fishbourne, was heavily Romanised with villas and settlements. And the Weald, once covered in forest, hides Saxon and medieval iron-working sites.
The Battle of Hastings took place just outside the town that now bears that name. While the battlefield itself is protected, the surrounding area saw intense military activity before and after the battle. Norman and Saxon artefacts turn up across East Sussex, from the landing beaches at Pevensey to the route of William's march to London. Military buckles, coins, and weapons fragments are all possible finds in this region.
Our permissions include farmland in the area around Battle, Hastings, and the Pevensey Levels, giving members a chance to find artefacts from this pivotal moment in English history.
Fishbourne Roman Palace, near Chichester, was the largest Roman residence north of the Alps. But it wasn't alone. The coastal plain supported numerous villas, and the road network connected them to Londinium. Roman finds are common across West Sussex, including coins spanning the entire occupation period, brooches, military equipment, and personal items.
The South Downs also saw significant Roman activity. Ancient trackways that predated the Romans were formalised into military roads. Temples sat on hilltops. And the chalk preserved metal objects remarkably well over two millennia.
The Sussex Weald was an industrial zone from the Roman period through the Tudor era, producing iron for tools, weapons, and construction. Saxon settlements followed the river valleys, and medieval farms worked the heavy clay soils. This area produces a different character of finds: Saxon strap ends and buckles, medieval pilgrims' badges, hammered silver coins, and relics of the iron industry.
Sussex was home to several Iron Age tribes who minted their own coins. Celtic gold staters and silver units turn up occasionally, particularly on the Downs where hillforts once stood.
The Romanisation of Sussex was thorough. Coins, brooches, military equipment, and decorative items are regular finds. The area around Chichester is particularly productive.
The aftermath of 1066 left its mark. Norman horse equipment, seal matrices, and hammered coins from the medieval period. Lewes Priory and other monastic sites add to the archaeological potential.
Sussex remained prosperous into the early modern period. Iron industry wealth and agricultural success mean good finds from the 16th-18th centuries, including jettons, buttons, and milled coinage.
Sussex has produced remarkable discoveries:
JOMF has built relationships with farmers and landowners across both East and West Sussex. Our permissions span the chalk downlands, the clay Weald, and the coastal plain. We focus on land with documented historical activity, using LiDAR data, historic maps, and Portable Antiquities Scheme records to identify high-potential areas.
Our first permission is already secured near Crowborough and Rotherfield in East Sussex, with more in negotiation. Members are actively involved in expanding our land bank across the county.
The South Downs National Park has specific rules about detecting. While it's not banned, permissions are harder to obtain within the park boundary. We work primarily with farmland outside or adjacent to the park, where the same archaeology exists without the additional bureaucracy. Some pasture land within the park is accessible with the right permissions.
The exact battlefield site is protected by English Heritage. However, the Norman army landed at Pevensey and marched inland, and Saxon forces gathered from across the region. Military activity spread across a wide area, and genuine Norman-period finds turn up on farmland throughout East Sussex.
The heavy clay of the Weald can be challenging for detecting, particularly when wet. However, the clay also preserves objects well. We schedule Weald digs for optimal conditions, typically in late summer and early autumn when the ground has dried out. The finds can be excellent for those willing to work the tougher terrain.
We aim for at least two organised digs per month in Sussex during the main season. Members also have access to permissions for solo detecting when the landowner allows it. Our calendar shows all upcoming events.
Join a group with established land access, organised monthly digs, and a community that shares knowledge and finds. Memberships start from £29/month with no long-term commitment.
Join Your RegionJoin a growing metal detecting community in Sussex. Access private land, attend organised digs and take part in a shared rewards system across the region. Suitable for beginners and experienced detectorists.
Join the Sussex Region