Welcome to National Council for Metal Detecting
Promoting, protecting and encouraging metal detecting for over 40 years
Formally recognised by the UK Government
Find information on the Treasure Act, Code of Conduct and Membership Benefits
Your NCMD Membership includes Public Liability Insurance up to £10m
As well as cover for commercial rallies/events, private and group digs
NCMD Members also have access to our Major Finds Excavation Fund
Not sure what you have found? Our Member Community Forum can help.
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At the NCMD we love metal detecting! For over 40 years we have promoted, protected, and encouraged metal detecting for our members and the wider Metal Detecting Community.

We are formally recognised by the UK Government and play a vital role in representing members on the creation of or any changes to legislation that may affect our great hobby.

Our introduction video is a great way to get to know us and learn what we are about.

Getting started with Metal Detecting

It is very important to familiarise yourself with the law and rules around metal detecting before you even leave the house on your first dig!

Our Code of Conduct video is a great starting point and will help you understand the basics.

Further reading and help is available under the Detecting Advice section on the site.

BECOME A MEMBER

Being part of our 37,000+ membership comes with a host of benefits including:
– Insurance cover when you attend commercial rallies/events, private & group digs.
– Public Liability Insurance up to £10m – with £0 excess
– Access to our Major Finds Excavation Fund for help with important finds
– Join our community forum, get help and advice from other members.
– Families Dig Together – add up to three 10-16 year olds to your policy for FREE.
– Free cover for carers who need to support a disabled member while they are out detecting.

Further Advice

The Portable Antiquities Scheme

Port of London Authority

The Portable Antiquities Scheme is a voluntary scheme to record archaeological objects found by members of the public In England and Wales.

These discoveries offer an important source for understanding our past.

It is an offence to search the Thames foreshore without an appropriate permit.

For more information e-mail foreshore.permits@pla.co.uk.

Arch

Crown Estate

The Alliance to Reduce Crime against Heritage (ARCH) is a new voluntary national network which will take forward initiatives to tackle heritage crime and galvanise local action as part of the Heritage Crime Initiative.

Please note, the Crown Estate no longer provides online permits to anyone wishing to go metal detecting on Crown Estate foreshore. However, their website is still a valuable source of information.

Please note we are not responsible for external links.