About Us & How We Operate
Hi, I’m Gary John Franklin.
I started The Soil Searchers back in 2016 as a Facebook group to raise the standard of group digs. I had experienced too many overcrowded fields where you were practically bumping coils with the person next to you.
Today, we have grown into a UK Limited Company—run very much in the spirit of a friendly metal detecting club—organising carefully managed day digs and weekenders across Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, and Hertfordshire.
Our core philosophy remains exactly the same: we keep the numbers low and the acres high, ensuring you always have plenty of space to swing, chat, and enjoy a full day out on good-quality farmland.
Our Values & Ethics
Our mission is simple: to make metal detecting enjoyable, safe, and responsible. We work hard to build long-term relationships with landowners, support both new and experienced detectorists, and ensure that every piece of history we uncover is treated with the respect it deserves.
Everything we do is grounded in respect—for landowners, for the law, for the land itself, and for the history beneath our feet. We expect everyone who detects with us to uphold the highest standards of behaviour at all times.
Thanks to this dedication, our members frequently unearth incredible artefacts and regularly feature in metal detecting magazines, proving we consistently secure fantastic land. Whether you're joining us for a relaxed day out or a weekend rally, I hope to see you out in the field with us soon!
Our Principles & Practices
- Respect for Landowners
- What it means in practice: We only detect on land where we have formal permission, and we follow any site-specific rules to the letter.
- What you can expect from us: Clear briefings on landowner requirements and immediate action if any issues arise.
- Code of Practice
- What it means in practice: All digs follow the NCMD Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting in England and Wales.
- What you can expect from us: We remind and advise our members of the Code in our communications and whilst on-site.
- Treasure Act 1996
- What it means in practice: Finds that may be Treasure are reported correctly and promptly.
- What you can expect from us: Guidance on recognising potential Treasure and clear support on the reporting process.
- Zero Tolerance for Illegal Detecting
- What it means in practice: We do not tolerate nighthawking or any other unlawful activity, at our venues or anywhere else.
- What you can expect from us: Immediate removal from our events and membership, alongside cooperation with the authorities where appropriate.
- Care for the Land
- What it means in practice: Holes are dug neatly and backfilled properly, and all rubbish is removed from the fields.
- What you can expect from us: We reinforce good practice on every dig and support anyone who is still learning. We also provide a scrap metal bin for the safe disposal of metal waste.
- Courtesy and Conduct
- What this means in practice: We treat farmers, fellow members, and the public with absolute courtesy at all times.
- What you can expect from us: A welcoming, inclusive atmosphere and firm action against bullying or harassment.
How We Operate
We secure permissions directly with landowners and estate managers, building relationships over time so that we can return to good land year after year.
Group sizes are kept sensible, with plenty of acres per person, so there is space to detect without feeling crowded.
Before each dig, attendees receive a link to a PDF containing a dig site map, parking instructions, meeting times, and key site rules. On the day, we hold a clear safety and conduct briefing before anyone starts detecting.
We take safety and safeguarding seriously. We expect everyone to look out for one another, follow instructions from our organisers, and speak up if they see anything that does not feel right.
Our Community
The Soil Searchers is a vibrant community that unites detectorists of all experience levels, from those on their very first dig to seasoned members with decades of invaluable knowledge.
Newcomers are always warmly welcomed, and we take pride in offering plenty of informal mentoring. Our experienced members are more than happy to share their insights, whether you need advice on choosing the best machine, adjusting your settings, mastering your digging technique, or identifying your finds.
Our members boast an impressive track record of unearthing significant historical items, many of which are regularly featured in national metal detecting magazines. Just as importantly, our digs are designed to be highly sociable events.
There is always ample time to chat, compare signals, share stories, and enjoy the camaraderie of the great outdoors.
The bonds formed out in the field often turn into lasting friendships, creating a genuine sense of belonging for everyone involved.
Some of Our Recent Digs
Meet the Onsite Dig Team
Learn More & Next Steps
If our approach to responsible, friendly metal detecting sounds like a good fit for you, there are a few easy ways to find out more. Visit our Membership page to see how joining works and what is included, and take a look at the How It All Works or our Members FAQ page to understand how our days out in the field are organised.
You can browse the Gallery to see the sort of finds our members unearth, or use the Contact page if you have questions or are a landowner interested in working with us.
For full transparency, our Data Protection and Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions and Cookies Policy explain how we operate behind the scenes.