Has anyone been on one of the UK based 'detectorist' holidays ?

[AstralDruid]

Hi
I have often come across sites for detector based holidays in the UK,, with promises of 800 acres of untrodden fields in Historic areas, usually in southern England.. Was wondering if anyone actually tried out any of these trips ? .. Some seem very expensive, with airport pick-ups, lodgings, tea and coffee in the field etc...
I imagine with the right bunch it could be great fun,, a week or 5 days with only detecting on your mind,, few beers in the pub afterwards , discussing finds and sharing stories. But another part of methinks it could be crap.

Any experiences or thoughts ??

AD

 

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[pepperj]

Hi
I have often come across sites for detector based holidays in the UK,, with promises of 800 acres of untrodden fields in Historic areas, usually in southern England.. Was wondering if anyone actually tried out any of these trips ? .. Some seem very expensive, with airport pick-ups, lodgings, tea and coffee in the field etc...
I imagine with the right bunch it could be great fun,, a week or 5 days with only detecting on your mind,, few beers in the pub afterwards , discussing finds and sharing stories. But another part of methinks it could be crap.

Any experiences or thoughts ??

AD

There's 2 trains of thought.
Go on a 🛳 🚢 for a week or 2.
Go detecting for a week or 2.

The cruise holiday everything is taken care of, easy peasy.

The detecting holiday, beat yourself up, or just do what you can manage.

So here's my take on the 2 holidays.
Done both, and most know what a cruise holiday is all about, same trip, different ship.

Detecting Holiday
Did 8 holidays = about 1000 hrs of detecting.
7 day, 10 day, 14 days of detecting.

It works out about a 1/2 day less detecting time on each trip for travel time.

The day is get up eat, detect stop for lunch, detect, dinner, sleep, repeat.
Now the detect part can be how many hours one wants to do. From dawn to having the headlamps on in the dark days.

Weather is a postman saga. You just dress for it. Or sit on your duff in the barn and watch the TV.
Your choice.

800 acres? 🤣🤣🤣
Try 600+ fields.
(1 permission was 5000 acres alone) Your choice each day.
Mainly it's a group choice.
A morning on 1 permission-afternoon on another permission.

Each permission usually has more land than what you can detect, even if you detect it alone for the whole holiday.

It comes down to this, nothing else.
You can detect all day and find hardly anything worthy.
Detect all day and find a few keepers.

The # of targets relate to the chances of getting a keeper.

Now a person is digging 100's of targets. From modern to the Bronze Age.

One never knows what will be in the shovel turn. Flat button, or a coin that is a thousand yrs old.

At the end of the holiday the body hates you, the memories ❤️ you.

The passion drives you.
My keepers are 50 BC Gold, Roman silvers that are 1000s of years old.
Relics that surpass anything one can imagine digging here.

Expensive yes.
For me it was getting to be $50+ an hour for the amount of time detecting.
$5K per trip.
The memories-priceless.

 

[AstralDruid]

Personally I'd prefer to donate my vital organs than go on a cruise....

But 5k to wander around Norfolk and get a few sarnies thrown in,, seems extravagant too....

Thanks for the input .... appreciated.

 

[pepperj]

Personally I'd prefer to donate my vital organs than go on a cruise....

But 5k to wander around Norfolk and get a few sarnies thrown in,, seems extravagant too....

Thanks for the input .... appreciated.

This one is 100% legit.
No planted finds
No BS
No wankers
Some of the best detectorists, and history.

Gold finds

Yes like I stated it's not cheap.
Then again some folks piss/smoke/gamble their $$$ away.
Some put towards a memory such as digging something rare.
I don't really remember my other holiday trips.
But I sure remember many of these digging dirt.
Nothing like popping something that is over 2000 yrs old either.
I guess I try to justify my habit/passion in this hobby/obsession. 🤣

 

[djackson7348]

Are you allowed to keep and leave the country with all your finds or does the UK claim them as historical? Be a shame to spend the money, find a great and valuable relic or coin and then have it taken away.

 

[Red-Coat]

Are you allowed to keep and leave the country with all your finds or does the UK claim them as historical? Be a shame to spend the money, find a great and valuable relic or coin and then have it taken away.

Items classified as 'treasure' under the 1996 Act must be reported to our museum authorities and would then be subject to an inquest to determine ownership. Museum authorities have first refusal on items deemed treasure, but a reward is payable, or they may decline or cannot afford the items (in which case they are returned to the finder). The reward is based on market price between "a willing seller and a willing buyer", not what the item might fetch in a competitive auction. An inquest would determine how any reward is to be split, taking into account any agreements the finder may have with the landowner or other interested parties.

Antiquities not deemed to be treasure usually require an export licence, as do treasure items returned to the finder and the companies that offer these tours will arrange that for you, if you intend to take items out of the country (or have them sent to you later).

 

[djackson7348]

Items classified as 'treasure' under the 1996 Act must be reported to our museum authorities and would then be subject to an inquest to determine ownership. Museum authorities have first refusal on items deemed treasure, but a reward is payable if they decline or cannot afford the items. The reward is based on market price between "a willing seller and a willing buyer", not what the item might fetch in a competitive auction. An inquest would determine how any reward is to be split, taking into account any agreements the finder may have with the landowner or other interested parties.

Antiquities not deemed to be treasure usually require an export licence, and the companies that offer these tours will arrange that for you, if you intend to take items out of the country (or have them sent to you later).

Thanks for explaining that.

 

[Red-Coat]

Thanks for explaining that.

You're welcome. Note that I made a couple of corrections/clarifications after you quoted me.

Note also that, for modern items of value, British law does not fully recognise the concept of "finders keepers", which only applies where an item is judged to have been "abandoned" rather than "accidentally lost". You're vulnerable to prosecution for "theft by finding" if no effort is made to trace the owner before you lay claim to items of value.

 

[AstralDruid]

The 1996 treasure act is great..... wish EU countries would adopt something like it..§§

I have permissions for two large farms in a good historical area of Northern Ireland, will be searching them this spring..
Anything of historical value is handed over to local authority and they do the legal side, any offer is split 50/50 with landowner,, or if the feds don't want it, we can sell it on market again 50/50..... simple and effective system.

 

[cudamark]

Hi
I have often come across sites for detector based holidays in the UK,, with promises of 800 acres of untrodden fields in Historic areas, usually in southern England.. Was wondering if anyone actually tried out any of these trips ? .. Some seem very expensive, with airport pick-ups, lodgings, tea and coffee in the field etc...
I imagine with the right bunch it could be great fun,, a week or 5 days with only detecting on your mind,, few beers in the pub afterwards , discussing finds and sharing stories. But another part of methinks it could be crap.

Any experiences or thoughts ??

AD

Going on my 11th trip next year. Do you think I would if it wasn't worth it? Nothing like it IMO. Prices, amenities, and the amount of fun you have can vary a bit depending on who you go with. For my current 10 day trip, it costs about $4500 counting the air fare, 1st night hotel room, meals and drinks at the pub, and the tour cost of course, which includes all my transportation, food (breakfast, lunch, and some dinners, lodging, permissions for 1000's of acres, finds evaluation, export license, great new friends, and some incredible memories. Not all the tours have the same amenities I mentioned, so, check before you buy.

 

[pepperj]

Going on my 11th trip next year. Do you think I would if it wasn't worth it? Nothing like it IMO. Prices, amenities, and the amount of fun you have can vary a bit depending on who you go with. For my current 10 day trip, it costs about $4500 counting the air fare, 1st night hotel room, meals and drinks at the pub, and the tour cost of course, which includes all my transportation, food (breakfast, lunch, and some dinners, lodging, permissions for 1000's of acres, finds evaluation, export license, great new friends, and some incredible memories. Not all the tours have the same amenities I mentioned, so, check before you buy.

I'd still be going if the 🫁 were able to fly.
I still live through the daily hunt postings.

Oh I think you're addicted. 🤣

 

[cudamark]

Oh yeah.....and pleasantly so! 54+ years detecting and counting. Not going to stop until I take the dirt bath.....or in my case the ultimate sauna.