what to expect

Metal Detecting is a fast-growing hobby. But it is sometimes difficult to know where to start: the bewildering variety of equipment, getting permissions to detect, even the legal requirements! Discover Detecting can help with a exciting hands-on day in fields close by Sheriff Hutton Castle in beautiful North Yorkshire.

You will be able to enjoy your first taste of metal detecting by just turning up. We will provide you with all the equipment you need to have a fantastic day on the fields: a detector, a pinpointer (to narrow down where the object lies in the hole you have dug), a spade, a trowel, a finds bag and a finds box for protecting delicate objects.

Discover Detecting is based in the village of Sheriff Hutton, ten miles north of York. The fields you will detect stand in the shadow of - and near to - the medieval Sheriff Hutton Castle, once home to Richard III. These fields are steeped in history, on which beautiful objects have been found. What else lies beneath - this is your chance to find out! 

The Discover Detecting team will be with you throughout the day, offering hints and tips about metal detecting. James Spark is an experienced detectorist and finds expert. Andrew Caley has written extensively about the hobby for The Searcher magazine. And Pat Brooks and partner Tash are the owners of  the Castle and your hosts for the day.

The answer is we just don't know! No detectorist ever does until the object is brought out into the daylight since the day it was lost to the soil. What we can say is that detectorist do dig up a lot of trash! But, but.. we know that gold, medieval silver coins, Roman objects, Tudor jewellery and more have been found in the area. 

Discover Detecting holds its metal detecting days on Saturday and Sundays throughout the year.  The price includes the loan of all equipment, instruction, breakfast, lunch, tea and coffee.