LATEST GUIDANCE
Below is the latest guidance for detecting in the 4 UK countries. Whilst detecting is forbidden in England, the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been more flexible about what exercise and leisure activities are allowed. However, in those countries, we would still urge you to consider carefully if it is the right thing to do – the only safe action is stay at home at this time.
Looking forward to the future lifting of the national lockdown in England we are continuing to lobby the Minister to rethink the rules on detecting on private land in Tier 4 areas. As lockdown is eased we believe allowing people to detect on beaches, whilst not allowing them to detect on private land, is nonsensical.
ENGLAND
Under the restrictions on ‘leisure and recreation’ no detecting is allowed outside the boundaries of your garden.
SCOTLAND
Metal detecting is permitted within the local outdoor recreation rule. It must start and finish at the same place and must only take place within 5 miles from the boundary of your local authority area.
You must only detect within a single household group, or as a group comprising no more than 2 people from 2 different households (N.B. children under the age of 12 from these households do not count towards this number.)
WALES
Detecting is not forbidden but exercise is only permitted if it starts and ends at your home.
‘’… you can leave home as often as you like to exercise, as long as you do so alone or with members of your household or support bubble (and/or a carer).
There are no legal limits on the kind of exercise that is permitted. However, in practice, this will be constrained by other alert level 4 restrictions requiring exercise to start and finish at home…’’
https://gov.wales/leaving-your-home-and-seeing-other-people-alert-level-4#section-58483
NORTHERN IRELAND
Detecting is not forbidden. You can exercise individually, with your carer or carers or with other members of your household. Other rules on travel, etc. should be followed.
