We pay you in cash on the day.
We offer you cash for us to spend one day on your land! Please have a read below and contact me for any additional information.
In Devon, Cornwall, and Dorset, farms will be needed throughout 2025/2026. We will handle all other arrangements, and we kindly request your consent and agreement on a suitable date. As a requirement for all our members, individual public liability insurance from the National Council for Metal Detecting is mandatory for participation. Furthermore, we maintain our own event organizers’ public liability insurance and all necessary risk assessment documentation.
How much could I expect to get paid?
You can typically expect to receive between £300 and £700 in cash on the morning of a dig, with larger digs potentially yielding between £700 and £1500. The amount depends on the location and historical significance of the land, as more land and history tend to attract more participants, resulting in greater compensation. For extensive land holdings, this could potentially be a monthly arrangement for several years, leading to substantial earnings throughout the year, assuming you would like us to return, which has been the case with all farms thus far.
What to expect when we’re metal detecting your land.
To clarify, the arrangement involves members of our metal detecting club arriving around 8:00 AM on the designated day to explore the fields you have kindly granted us access to, with the aim of locating buried artifacts or coins. Upon discovering an object with their metal detectors, they will carefully excavate a small hole, typically 6 to 12 inches deep, retrieve the item, and then meticulously restore the area to its original condition. We assure you that everyone will have left your property by 5:00 PM at the latest.
When necessary, all findings of interest are recorded with finds liaison officers. We consistently adhere to the country code and the detectorists’ code of conduct.
To ensure the safety and adherence to regulations, we provide one marshal for every ten attendees. These marshals are responsible for monitoring the event, ensuring respect for your property, and enforcing established rules. The permitted acreage directly influences the maximum number of attendees. Our standard practice involves a density restriction of 1/2 acre per person; therefore, a 50-acre site would accommodate a maximum of 100 attendees. In specific instances where the site holds significant historical value, we may propose a 25% increase in the event capacity.
How do we know what land would be best for us?
To be concise, our research methods involve utilizing diverse online resources. However, we find that exploring any potential land is worthwhile, as the possibilities of what may be discovered are always present.
Please take a look at the photographs of the bronze age gold hoard discovered in Dorset, which is presently undergoing the treasure process. It is worth noting that the field where this was found had no recorded history.
If you’d like to try some of the research tools we use then please click here.
Lost a item on your land?
Should you have misplaced any items on the property over time, kindly inform us. We have recovered a variety of lost belongings, ranging from tractor components to gold signet rings. Our members are instructed to return any found items to the respective owners on the same day of discovery.
We remove hidden potentially dangerous items.
Various objects are buried underground, and some of these could potentially cause harm to your livestock or machinery. Should we discover any such items during our detection efforts on your property, we will ensure their appropriate disposal.
Will I be able to see what is found on the day?
Of course, every one of our members will be pleased to show you on the big day. If that doesn’t work for you, everyone posts their discoveries to our Facebook group when they return home later that day. If you don’t have Facebook, I can compile all these pictures and send them to you via email or WhatsApp.
What happens if something of value is found?
As per the Treasure Act of 1996, or for items valued at over £1000, you are eligible to receive 50% of the determined value. Upon the discovery of treasure, the museum will allocate the proceeds between you and the finder, contingent upon their interest in acquiring the item.
Expansion of land holdings and a location’s rich historical context often correlate with increased revenue potential. For a single-day event, a minimum of 20 acres is required. Following a successful initial visit, the possibility of recurring engagements exists, thereby offering the potential for year-round supplementary income.
Get in touch
For further information, please contact Pete on 07375 852 581 or 07544 267 285 or via email at dcddevents@gmail.com. WhatsApp messages can be directed to 07544 267 285.
