Metal detecting is growing in popularity, with an estimated 50,000 people now participating, an increase from 20,000 about five years ago, according to Alan Tamblyn, general secretary of the National Council for Metal Detecting (NCMD). This rise is attributed to a desire to disengage from screens and the pressures of modern society, as well as a growing interest in history.
Enthusiasts, such as cousins Lucilla Gray and Eleanor Bruce from Lincolnshire, describe the hobby as a way to switch off and be present. Lucilla, 34, states it can help with grounding and focus, offering a break for the brain. Eleanor, 27, suggests a trend towards nostalgic hobbies like metal detecting as a response to the rapid development of social media and artificial intelligence.
The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) recorded nearly 80,000 finds in 2024, with metal detectorists responsible for 94% of them. Tamblyn notes that the hobby's appeal has broadened beyond its traditional audience, now attracting more families and women. Lucilla agrees, highlighting the importance of more women's voices in the space and in telling stories related to finds and history.
Rafal Wesolowski, 50, from Boston, Lincolnshire, unearthed a rare early medieval silver-gilt finger ring in May 2024, which experts from the University of Nottingham confirmed as significant. Despite such finds, Wesolowski, like others, values the hobby for its ability to help him slow down and engage in mindful activities.