Which beaches can you detect on?

[Gareth]

I've had a look at the crown map along the south coast and wanted to know if anyone has detected in either Southsea, lee-on-Solent or Eastney beaches. If so did you need permission? Was it a successful hunt?

Thank you

[mrix]

Hi Gareth, If you look at the Crown Estate map any coast showing in purple when you zoom close in metal detecting is allowed

[dig-dog]

Hi Gareth, If you look at the Crown Estate map any coast showing in purple when you zoom close in metal detecting is allowed

But look out for SSSI’s

[sweepstick47]

Just be aware, some beaches or areas of a beach may be restricted in some way or leased so where there's any doubt as to the situation regarding access for metal detecting on any beach, a quick phone call or email to the local council will invariably produce the answers.
Remember to note the name of the individual providing them!
Cheers Eric

[Mini-mustard]

Lee on solent is a no go as I spoke to Gosport council and told me it was strictly prohibited to detect on stokes bay and lee on the Solent, probably to do with d day....

[KevinB]

I was just trying to find a post on here that showed a Portsmouth Council notice saying no detecting on land and beaches. Sure it is purple but the Council seem to have a different view.......Funny last time we went down there for a coffee we saw a couple a of Council bods on the beach......

[Koala]

I was just trying to find a post on here that showed a Portsmouth Council notice saying no detecting on land and beaches. Sure it is purple but the Council seem to have a different view.......Funny last time we went down there for a coffee we saw a couple a of Council bods on the beach......

Portsmouth beach use to be a yes

Has things changed

Portsmouth City Council pdf here

https://www.google.com/search?q=Portsmo ... ribution=1

The actual port will be different

With it's history I would expect some scheduled sites, and wreck sites thrown in

Gosport has been a no for some time I believe

[BeepingBill]

I've had to apply to NIEA and DAERA for permission to detect the beaches along the Ards peninsula, they have ASSI on them,

[Gareth]

Hi All,

I've just sent a letter to the Portsmouth City Council for permission to detect on Southsea and Eastney beaches. It seems that since they started building the new sea defences there has been some artefacts found. This means they are more protective over those areas now. Does any one know what has been found whilst the work has been going on?
I'll keep you all updated on their response to my request.

[Koala]

Hi All,

I've just sent a letter to the Portsmouth City Council for permission to detect on Southsea and Eastney beaches. It seems that since they started building the new sea defences there has been some artefacts found. This means they are more protective over those areas now. Does any one know what has been found whilst the work has been going on?
I'll keep you all updated on their response to my request.

Mainly stones and piles from the Georgian jetty

Portsmouth is still a yes on their website

I would have taken that as permission

Screenshot_20240801-133905.png

Although you still have to abide by the the terms and conditions of the crown

Most designated sites that are run by nature England, beaches that are constantly changing, example sand you can normally get permission for, as they are pro countryside for everyone, anywhere were digging will cause damage will be a no such as mud flats,lagoons, dunes

I wouldn't of fired an email, depends who answers, once it written as a no, there will be very little you can do

Changes proposed isn't the same as passed, their some misleading metal detecting articles in the Portsmouth press

No my part of the the country, estuaries are normally very difficult to detect, several designations, wrecks, nature reserves and scheduled sites are the normal

[Gareth]

Good news everyone. Here's the reply from the Portsmouth Council seafront operations manager. This confirms that the Crown estate area should be ok to detect on.

Hi Gareth

Thanks for emailing in regards permission to metal detect. Our policy is such that we don't authorise metal detecting on council managed land unless it's part of an archaeological event.

However it's worth noting that we only manage the beach between promenade and the mean high water line and everything south of that falls to the Crown Estate. It is worth checking their policy on their website. I have seen metal detectorists nearer the water line so well worth a check.

[Phil2401]

That's interesting - so the Council are only concerned with the dry stuff above high tide mark but you can detect the foreshore... go for it!

Phil

[boris76]

Hi i have detected Southsea and Eastney and Hayling many times over the years, along with numerous other people, never been an issue and never heard of anyone else having a problem. You should find plenty of bullet heads at Eastney end, old target range , loose change with a few pre decimal coins if your lucky and maybe jewellery if your luck is really in.