Let’s go! You finally have the metal detector you’ve been waiting for. Ideally, you want to start metal detecting right away, of course. After grabbing your metal detector, backpack, and shovel you want to go straight to…..
……I don’t know. It is more difficult to find a suitable place to go metal detecting than expected. Where should I metal detect? Don’t worry! There are enough good places (with and without permission) for you to go metal detecting. So…
… What are the best places for metal detection?
The best places to go metal detecting are places where there used to be a lot of human activity. The best places to go metal detecting are therefore:
- Plowed fields
- Close to churches and monasteries
- Old villages
- Close to streams
- Sand landfill and building sites
- Old paths
- Old barns
- Former fairs
- Old battlefields
- The forest
- Your own backyard
- The beach
- Lakes
- Campsites / picknick places
- Playgrounds and sandboxes
- Parks
- Old houses
- Hiking trails
In this blog, I will explain why certain locations are ideal for metal detecting and what types of items you can potentially discover there. Additionally, I will introduce some lesser-known spots that are worth exploring with your metal detector.
Get ready for an exciting journey in search of valuable finds. Enjoy reading and happy metal detecting!
The best places for finding old stuff with metal detector:
1. Plowed Fields
One of the most popular places for metal detecting is a freshly plowed field. These fields are highly favored by enthusiasts due to the potential for discovering fascinating relics such as coins, thimbles, and bullets. The convenience of having fields located near residential areas adds to their appeal.
One of the advantages of detecting in plowed fields is the ease of digging. The soil is typically soft and devoid of plant roots, making it easier to unearth buried items. Additionally, you are likely to encounter less trash compared to metal detecting in parks or other areas.
Now, you might be curious about how items like coins, thimbles, and buckles ended up in these fields. Let me provide an explanation.
In the past, hay was commonly used for underfloor heating. When this hay became soiled or no longer useful, it would be discarded onto the surface of fields. Occasionally, valuable items would unintentionally accompany the discarded hay.
Moreover, fields were often frequented by field workers who would sometimes lose coins, thimbles, and jewelry during their activities. Additionally, some fields may have been home to small villages or settlements in the past. Consequently, remnants of these historical activities and settlements can still be discovered in the fields today.
To select a suitable field for metal detecting, it is beneficial to examine maps from different historical periods, focusing on those that illustrate changes over time. Look for variations in field shapes, old trails, and irregular patterns that can indicate potential areas of interest.
When you have found a good field you can start to detect. But watch out! Don’t randomly walk across the field. There are parts of the field that are better than the other parts. To safe your time, you should first search at the following parts:
- Higher parts of the field. Many people used to live at high altitudes. The reason for this is because these higher parts protected them against floods and they could better see their enemies from miles away.
- Close to old paths. People used horses as means of transport. The most of the time, old paths were used for this. Very often, these trails were located at the edge of a field.
- Close to trees. A tree in a field indicates human activity because these trees are often sown. When there is a tree in the middle of a field, you should definitely try to search close to this tree.
Despite all the advantages of metal detecting in a field, there are unfortunately also some disadvantages. First, the pesticides and fertilizer that is used by farmers. These things will often damage the metal objects in the soil.
Second, there is often a lot of competition. This means that it often happens that someone has already searched before. Third, you can only detect on the field when there are no crops on it.
Last, you always need permission from the land owner! Sometimes, it will happen that the land owner doesn’t give you permission. This is very unfortunate.
Indications that you are searching at the correct part of a field
To find valuable items, you should search at fields where there used to be a lot of human activity. You can recognize the places by different things.
- First, the presence of horseshoes (or parts of a horseshoe). Back in the days, many people used horses as means of transport instead of cars and bicycles. When you find a horseshoe, you are searching most likely at a good place.
- Second, the presence of nails, potsherds or plate shards. Back in the days, people used these things with their daily activities. When you find these things you can conclude that you are searching at a place where there used to be a lot of human activity. Exactly what we want!
- Last, the presence of construction materials like flints, normal stones and small boulders. These things indicate that there have been buildings in the past. These buildings could have been houses, farms or bathhouses.
My tip is to start detecting in the zero mode. This basically means that the metal detector will be able to find all kind of metals. This gives you an indication of the parts of the field with the most objects in the soil.
When you have found this spot, you can start to use the discrimination function in order to only find the objects that you are looking for.
2. Close to churches and monasteries
In the past, religious practices held significant importance, with churches serving as central hubs for communities. People would frequently visit churches for prayer, worship, and singing, leading to considerable human activity in and around these religious sites.
In cases where proper roads were absent, church paths were created to connect villages with the church. These paths would often traverse through the surrounding landscape, providing a historical route that many individuals would have taken to reach the church.
If you are fortunate, you may still encounter remnants of these old church paths today. Exploring areas near these paths increases your chances of discovering artifacts dating back to the Middle Ages or even earlier periods.
Additionally, monasteries can be fruitful locations for metal detecting. These religious establishments, known for their spiritual pursuits, were centers of human activity. Many people dedicated themselves to a life of devotion within these monasteries, making them intriguing places to search for historical items.
3. Old villages
People used to reside in small villages, often living in close-knit communities. Interestingly, many of our present-day villages are located in the same areas as their historical counterparts. This suggests that there is a good likelihood of finding valuable items near these former village sites.
You may be curious about how to identify if a village existed in a specific location in the past. There are several indications that can point to the presence of an old village.
Firstly, the names of current villages often retain their historical names. The continuity of village names can provide a clue to their ancient origins. Think about names like:
- Saint-Marc
- San Diego
- St Albans
Secondly, the presence of a church. The most of the time, a church was built in the middle of the village. Current villages with a church are most likely very old.
Thirdly, the architectural style. Back in the days, people used other techniques to built their houses. You can recognize old houses by their wooden structure and thatched roofs.
4. Close to streams
Back in the days, people didn’t have tap water, a bath and a shower. They used rain water, fresh water from lakes or fresh water from streams. Therefore, you should definitely try to search close to these water sources.
If you want to increase your chance of finding valuable stuff close to these water sources, you need to search at the fields that are located relatively high compared to a river/stream. The reason for this is because these high altitude areas protected the people against floods and enemies.
5. Sand landfill and building sites
Sometimes when a new building is built, the surface layer will be removed. In this surface layer, you will often find old soil from a former village/city. This means that you definitely have a chance to find valuable items in this excavated sand.
This sand is often dumped at a sand landfill. If you can get permission to go metal detecting here, you should definitely consider to go detect here.
Furthermore, you should also try to search in the area where this surface layer is removed (the building site). The reason for this is because the old stuff (that is often covered by a top layer of sand) will be brought back to the surface again!
This same principle accounts for a gravel and sand excavation place.
6. Close to old paths
Back in the days, people didn’t have proper roads made of asphalt. Instead, these people made their own roads of sand or small boulders. There were not much roads which means that many people used these handmade ‘’paths’’.
Today, some of these roads still exist. Try to metal detect close to these old paths. I am sure that you will find some cool things like horseshoes, coins, buckles and buttons.
Try to look for paths made of only sand or paths made of little/medium boulders. In the previous picture you can see how these roads look nowadays.
7. Old barns
In the past, people were largely self-sufficient, engaging in activities such as hunting and harvesting their own food. As a result, many individuals resided on farms.
Farms required a multitude of tasks to be completed. These included feeding the cattle, replacing hay, and tending to horses. It was during these chores that items could be unintentionally lost. As a result, one can often find objects like horseshoes, coins, buckles, keys, and buttons in close proximity to old barns.
Interestingly, many of today’s farms are situated on the same sites as their historical predecessors. This means that current farms may have once been the locations of former barns. In some cases, remnants of old sawmills can still be observed near these barns.
8. Former fairs / cattle markets
As mentioned earlier, people used to be very self-sufficient. Livestock was needed to accomplish this. That is why there used to be many trade fairs. People gathered here to trade their cattle.
People therefore had a lot of coins in their pockets. There was always a chance that one occasionally lost a coin. Nowadays, we can still find this stuff back.
Very often, these fairs took place at the location of our current fields. Fields are therefore extremely good places to go metal detecting.
9. Old battlefields
If you are interested in discovering bullets, military buttons, and shrapnel, exploring old battlefields is a fitting choice. These sites witnessed intense fighting during wars, increasing the likelihood of finding remnants from those historical conflicts.
However, it is crucial to be mindful of potential dangers when detecting in such areas. Unexploded bombs or landmines could still be present, making it essential to exercise extreme caution. Always remember that entering these areas comes with inherent risks, and you should proceed at your own risk.
For a more comprehensive understanding of the hazards associated with metal detecting, I encourage you to explore my other blog where I delve into this topic further.
10. Forest
Another place where there was a lot of fighting back in the days are the woods. This means that you will mainly find shrapnel, bullets and buttons in a forest.
However, people also used to cut of trees for wood for the houses and for heating in the house. This means that there was certainly human activity back in the days.
Unfortunately, it is often forbidden to go metal detecting in a forest (mainly to preserve nature). This means that you always need permission from the forest owner before you enter a forest!
11. Your own backyard!
A very underrated place to go metal detecting is your own backyard! There is a good chance that people have lived at the same place as your current house.
The main advantage of detecting in your own backyard is that you don’t have to ask permission (because you are the owner of the plot). Furthermore, the things that you will find are often in good condition because they have not been under the influence of pesticides and fertilizer.
Last but not least, you are sure that nobody has detected this place before!
12. Other good spots
Of course there are way more other good spots to go metal detecting. Something can be considered as a good place when there used to be a lot of human activity back in the past. Some other good spots are therefore:
- Meadows
- (Former) horse riding schools
- Close to roman wells
- High areas (protected people against floods)
- Close to rivers
The best places for finding modern stuff with a metal detector:
1. The beach and lakes
The best place to hunt for modern stuff with a metal detector is definitely the beach. At the beach, many people come together to cool down and have fun.
People sit down and get up several times a day. Furthermore, they have to change clothes. This means that there is a high chance that someone loses valuable things. The best places to go metal detecting at the beach are:
- Close to a hiking trail
- Close to toilets
- The parking lot
- Close to eateries
- The place where the most people lie
- Underwater!
In my other blog, you can read what is the best time to go metal detecting at the beach.
Lakes are also a good place to go metal detecting for modern stuff. The reason for this is actually the same as for the beach; it is a place where many people gather and the chance of losing stuff is high.
2. Campsites / picknick places
During the summer, many people gather at campsites. These people do things like playing games, geocaching, going for a run or they picknick with each other. During these activities, some of the people will lose valuable things like money and jewelry.
Therefore, you should definitely go metal detecting at campsites or at picknick places. Go metal detecting after everyone left (because you don’t want to bother them).
3. Parks
A very popular place to go metal detecting for modern stuff are parks. In a park, many people gather to enjoy the weather, to picknick or to go for a run/walk. In other words: activities where you can easily lose valuable stuff.
It is therefore highly recommended to go metal detecting at busy parks. The best times to do this is after everyone left. During these times, you won’t be bothered by many curious people.
Always ask permission from the park owner (the most of the time this is the local government/county)!
4. Festival grounds
When attending a festival, it is common for individuals to carry cash and other valuable items such as sunglasses, wallets, bracelets, and necklaces. Once the festival concludes, it can be worthwhile to search the area with a metal detector, as there is a good chance of discovering lost and potentially valuable objects.
If you come across an item and can identify its owner, it is advisable to make an effort to return it to them. This act of kindness can bring joy and relief to the person who lost the item, and it reflects the values of honesty and good-heartedness within the metal detecting community.
5. Fairgrounds
Many people come together at a fair. They spent a lot of money on food, drinks and attractions. This means that these people often have cash with them. This means that you should search at the fairground after the fair.
6. Sandbox and playgrounds
Sandboxes and playgrounds can be fruitful locations to search for modern items. These areas are often frequented by people, especially children, who may unintentionally misplace or drop items in the sand while playing.
The loose nature of the sand makes it relatively easy to dig and search for objects. Therefore, it is worth considering these places for metal detecting.
7. Other good places
Of course, there are way more other good places to hunt for modern stuff with a metal detector. You should definitely visit the following places:
- Close to hiking trails
- Pitches (close to schools)
- Fishing areas
- Old houses
The best places to metal detect for gold
Besides finding old stuff and modern stuff, you can also find gold with a metal detector. There are some good places to hunt for gold.
The best places for finding gold with a metal detector:
- Close to mines
- In rivers and streams
- Near to granite rocks
- In caves and creeks
- Close to places where gold has been found before
As a matter of fact, gold can be found everywhere on earth. However, the concentration gold varies greatly between all areas. The most the time, the highest concentration gold can be found at places with earth faults.
How to find good places to go metal detecting?
Now you know some good places to go metal detecting. The next thing that you want to do is to find a good location. There are several ways to find a good location to go metal detecting.
In general, you should try to find a place where there used to be a lot of human activity. Try to find places where plot changes have taken place over time. Furthermore, you should try find places with high altitude areas. You can find these areas by looking at historical maps.
Luckily enough, there are some really good sites that you can use in order to find a suitable location to go metal detecting. My favorite sites (with a lot of good historical maps):
If you want to hunt in the fields, you should look for fields with remarkable shapes. The best fields are the fields that doesn’t have a rectangular shape. The reason for this is because rectangular shapes indicate that the field has recently been modified (not what we want).
An example of a really old field can be seen in the picture below:
Are there still any good places left to go metal detecting?
Metal detecting has become extremely popular last years. This means that the competition for available search places has increased. You might therefore wonder whether there are still any good places left to hunt or not (because everything has already been excavated).
There are still enough good places left to go metal detecting. The reasons for this:
- Soil is often plowed, bringing objects from deeper depths to the surface again.
- You must swing very precisely over a target in order to detect it, which means that if someone misses a target by a few inches, it will stay in the ground.
- There are lots of objects that can be found.
- There are still areas that not have been detected before.
This means that you don’t have to worry about the fact whether there are still enough good places to go metal detecting or not.
Last thing that you have to keep in mind!
Something that you definitely should keep in mind is the following rule:
‘’You always need permission of the field/plot owner in order to go metal detecting at that place’’
This means that you are not allowed to just go metal detecting at any place you want. Always ask the owner’s permission. Except for your own properties; here you don’t need permission (because you are the owner).
Frequently Asked Questions
You will be surprised of the kind of things that you can find with your metal detector in your backyard. For example, you can find old coins, buckles, thimbles, bullets and nails.
Yes, you definitely need permission of the owner of the park. You are not allowed to go metal detecting without permission.
This depends on your situation. Not every field is good to go metal detecting. However, if there used to be human activity close to your house, the nearest field will definitely be a good place to go metal detecting.
Yes! you can metal detect in meadows. In fact, meadows are sometimes better than fields for metal detection. The reason for this is because the targets in meadows have not been in contact with fertilizer and pesticides. This means that the targets are less damaged than the targets from the fields. However, you will need a proper shovel to get through the grass.