Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services operate a management policy whereby a permit is required to metal detect on a selection of Guernsey beaches. Metal detecting is not permitted on any other land owned or administered by the States of Guernsey.
Click here for the metal detecting permit application form.
If you are interested in metal detecting anywhere in Guernsey, we recommend you contact the Guernsey Heritage Keepers, a local metal detecting organisation. More information on the organisation is available on a downloadable leaflet on this webpage. Email shane@guernseyheritagekeepers.org.gg, or phone Shane Le Page on 07781 116976.
Metal detecting on States' owned/managed land
- It is possible that you may discover live ordnance when metal detecting. If you find any ammunition or other ordnance that you are unsure about, do not touch it but report it immediately to the Guernsey Police (01481 222222)
- Detecting on many beaches is allowed with a permit. Permitted beaches are listed on this webpage. Permits are issued subject to the conditions supplied on this webpage. Permits may be obtained on application to Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services via this link
- Metal detecting is not permitted on any other land owned or administered by the States of Guernsey, including the coastal grassland and headlands and any small islands or islets (including Lihou, Herm and Jethou). Metal detecting is not permitted on or around any protected monuments; these being castles, forts, fortifications, WW2 German bunkers, or any other structure that has significant importance to the islands' history.
- Any finds should be recorded with the States Archaeologist, Dr Phil De Jersey (tel: 01481 220729, email: philip.dejersey@gov.gg).
- Always fill in any holes which have been dug and ensure that the ground is left in the same state as before you commenced digging.
Metal detecting permit conditions
- 1. You may use a metal detector for such purpose:
- (a) You may only investigate the surface of the foreshore and not excavate into the hard pack sub-surface of the land to ensure that the archaeological integrity of any embedded find is retained;
- (b) No mechanical tool, plant or equipment may be used for excavation;
- (c) Any hole (however small or shallow) must be refilled so that the foreshore is reinstated to its condition before digging or excavation was commenced by the applicant so as not to create a hazard to other foreshore users.
- 2. You are required to report the following finds to the persons and/or bodies listed below within 14 days of the date of the find; it is important to specify the exact location and context of each find in your report:
- (a) all archaeological finds to the States Archaeology Officer, Dr Philip de Jersey, (Tel: 01481 220729 or email: philip.dejersey@gov.gg);
- (b) any item which may, or which on reasonable grounds is likely to be, treasure trove (e.g. old gold and silver coins or other gold and silver items which appear to have been long buried/hidden) to the States of Guernsey Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Service ("Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Service"), who will inform His Majesty's Receiver General for the Bailiwick of Guernsey ("His Majesty's Receiver General") of the find, and to the Guernsey Police; please note that any discovery of treasure trove may belong to the Crown under the customary law of Guernsey. Although finders of treasure trove have no legal interest, apportionment of the value will be assessed and consideration given by His Majesty's Receiver General to the making of an ex gratia payment to the finder; WARNING: the dishonest appropriation of Crown property may result in prosecution for theft; and
- (c) any other item of value (excluding individual or small quantities of modern coins) to the Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Service and the Guernsey Police.
- 3. If you discover any live ammunition or any lethal object such as an unexploded bomb or mine, do not disturb it. Mark the site carefully and report the find immediately to the Guernsey Police (Tel: 01481 222222) and notify Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services at your earliest convenience.
- 4. This permit does not transfer any rights to objects found on the foreshore to you. Therefore, you may not claim ownership or rights to any objects found on the foreshore by virtue of this permission.
- 5. You shall endeavour not to interfere with any persons exercising public rights on the foreshore of any description and shall not interfere with any property on the foreshore known to be the property of any other party.
- 6. The States of Guernsey may restrict or prohibit access to any part of the foreshore covered at any time without notice.
- 7. You will go onto the foreshore at your own risk and no liability shall attach to the States of Guernsey in any respect relative to any injury (including death) loss, damage whatsoever, including due to negligence, to the applicant or any property of the applicant whilst on the foreshore.
- 8. You will indemnify the States of Guernsey against all actions, proceedings, claims, demands, damages, costs and losses relating to or arising out of the exercise of any rights covered by or related to this permission and arising from the failure of the applicant to report any finding to the relevant person or authority pursuant to the terms of this permit.
- 9. You accept that the foreshore can be a dangerous place. You should check the times of tides before accessing the foreshore and should be aware that tides can generate strong currents and should take all steps to ensure personal safety whilst on the foreshore.
Beaches where permits allow metal detecting
- South coast:
- All beaches between Petit Port and Petit Bot to which the public have access.
- West coast:
- Rocquaine - Between Imperial Hotel to Fort Grey
- L'Eree - Between main tarmac car park with toilets to Fort Grey
- Perelle Bay
- North Vazon Bay - Between the Lower Fort Hommet car park and the slipway
- Cobo Bay
- Saline Bay/Grandes Rocques
- Port Soif
- Port Grat
- Rousse and Grande Havre
- Les Amarreurs
- Ladies Bay
- Chouet
- North coast:
- Pembroke/L'Ancresse
- Metal detecting is strictly prohibited on the island of Herm, Lihou (including its causeway) and any islets around Guernsey and Herm.
Metal detecting on private land
- Permission must be sought from the land owner before detecting on any land, including that of private individuals. Not doing so could result in charges of trespassing, theft or criminal damage.