West Bay Dorset

[Wessexlad]

I'll be down in West Bay next weekend for a few days. Anyone got any tips for the better beaches?

[Saffron]

Sorry I can not help regarding detecting on the beaches but I was down there late last year and there had been several instances of the cliffs collapsing and locals were very strongly advising to keep well away from the cliff areas. So as always safety first.

Evan

[JosephVespasian]

I'm not a beach detectorist but have been there several times after bad storms, when all the pebbles are dragged out and you're left with clay and finds from old wrecks. (Spanish gold!) Other than after a storm, you'll have 20 feet of pebbles and a lot of fishing weights!

[sweepstick47]

Hello 'Wessexlad', In order for a member who is local to 'West Bay' to give a reasonable opinion on neighbouring beaches, providing a little additional information would improve your chances of a positive reply to your question.

Which machine you intend using would certainly help (make/model PI/TR/VLF) etc and also whether the Low or High tide marks will be your preferred target.

The more information you can provide can only help in obtaining the best possible result.

Good Luck - Regards ss47

[Wessexlad]

Hello 'Wessexlad', In order for a member who is local to 'West Bay' to give a reasonable opinion on neighbouring beaches, providing a little additional information would improve your chances of a positive reply to your question.

Which machine you intend using would certainly help (make/model PI/TR/VLF) etc and also whether the Low or High tide marks will be your preferred target.

The more information you can provide can only help in obtaining the best possible result.

Good Luck - Regards ss47

i doubt you'd know the make I'd be using, it's basic to say the least. It's more for my boy than for me. I'm just interested to know which beaches would be better to try on, preferably sandy when the tide is out. I believe etiquette demands that going when there aren't many people around is best.

[sweepstick47]

Hello 'Wessexlad' Yes your absolutely right, during the Summer season, it's always best to beach detect when it's quiet (early morning or after the 'hoards' have left) so as not to get in the way of the holiday crowd. Even at the low water mark it can be very busy with youngsters paddling etc..

There's no hard and fast rules but as you say, it's just a matter of being considerate for other beach ysers.

All the best and remember to show us your considerable finds on your return.
All the best - Regards ss47

[Wessexlad]

Well I just got back and can report that it was fun, but unproductive. The only worthwhile find was a modern, if somewhat tarnished, 10p. Other than that I half filled a carrier bag with scrap metal, probably 20 or so items, which I took away and binned. I had the boy and his cousin with me as 'helpers' but predictably they soon lost interest and went off on their own adventure. Still, half the fun of detecting is in the looking, not the finding.