Right to Roam ??

[highflyer]

Caught two guys walking around my field today early afternoon with metal detectors, when I asked them if they had found anything the reply was no, I politely asked them who had given permission to just enter my field and walk around with metal detectors, the reply was, we have the right to roam, at this point I completely lost the plot and basically made a few suggestions that if they didn't leave immediately I would take matters into my own hands, my question is can I expect any come back from the BIB and is there such a thing as a right to roam. If they had asked for permission there wouldn't have been a problem but to reply they had a right to be there.
The field is about 2 acres and next to my home with access from a road through a 5 bar gate, unfortunately I had left the gate open.
PS there have been a couple of large treasure finds in the next village and I have a well at the bottom of my field which used to service two properties at the bottom and our house, in the olden days ?

[Aretnap]

There is a right to roam on designated uncultivated, mostly upland, areas - mountain, moorland, Heath and down land.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countryside_and_Ri...

It doesn't extend to any old field you feel like taking a metal detector into. If your field was covered by CRoW you would probably know about it. If unsure the easiest way to check is to look at the local Ordnance Survey Explorer map - right to roam land is shown with a yellow tint.

[QuickQuack]

Only if you're in Scotland and even then there are rules that "roamers" need to follow. Metal detecting on private land without permission isn't roaming and any finds belong to the landowner. At least those my understanding of the relevant laws on these matters, IANAL/IANBV.

[QuickQuack]

I might not be fully correct but I don't think I was far off. Here's what you need to know:

https://www.gov.uk/right-of-way-open-access-land/o...

[highflyer]

wow thank you, it might come under local traditions ie access due to the well ? wouldn't think it covers metal detectors though In my book its private property and I will be putting signs up for future ref. It is common courtesy to ask first maybe i'm old fashioned.
Will be getting a sign from my friend in America that I thought funny
Trespassers will be shot
survivors will be shot again
lol

[chazwind]

highflyer said:

Will be getting a sign from my friend in America that I thought funny
Trespassers will be shot
survivors will be shot again
lol

Perhaps best not do that. The police and press are pretty humourless when it comes to firearms.

[Collectingbrass]

Even if they had a right to roam (unlikely but just for the sake of arguement) anything they do find belongs to the OP according to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure_Act_1996

I wouldn't promise to shoot them, I'd use a bull:

[CrutyRammers]

highflyer said:

wow thank you, it might come under local traditions ie access due to the well ? wouldn't think it covers metal detectors though In my book its private property and I will be putting signs up for future ref. It is common courtesy to ask first maybe i'm old fashioned.

Nah, if there's access, it'll either be via a public right of way (marked on OS maps), or via the CRoW act (also marked on the OS maps).
Even IF it's open access, metal detecting is specifically forbidden:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/open-access-land-manag...

So you did the right thing, and they were taking the piss.

[Dand E Lion]

Am frequently tempted to post this up all around the farm...

[Johnnytheboy]

Come on PH, we can do better than this.

I would have thought the best thing would be to bury metal objects for them to find.

Landmines full of piss, for example.

[Jasandjules]

Do your deeds show public rights of way?

[bobtail4x4]

The local groupe usually pay abbout £100 a day for land to detect on,
Im not a detectorist but know a few.

[funkyrobot]

Johnnytheboy said:

Come on PH, we can do better than this.

I would have thought the best thing would be to bury metal objects for them to find.

Landmines full of piss, for example.

Or a large metal box with a really hungry, gay vampire in.

[Jasandjules]

bobtail4x4 said:

The local groupe usually pay abbout £100 a day for land to detect on,
Im not a detectorist but know a few.

I assume the land owner retains the property which is found.

[TooMany2cvs]

highflyer said:

at this point I completely lost the plot and basically made a few suggestions that if they didn't leave immediately I would take matters into my own hands

PLEASE tell me you shouted "Git orf moi laaaaand"?

[bobtail4x4]

Jasandjules said:

I assume the land owner retains the property which is found.

50/50

[Willy Nilly]

If you can find lots of old nuts, bolts and washers, spread these liberally all over the field. They will soon get fed up with finding them

[silentbrown]

Aretnap said:

There is a right to roam on designated uncultivated, mostly upland, areas - mountain, moorland, Heath and down land.

But not if you're using or even *just carrying* a metal detector. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/37/pdfs/u... P76...

[Fartomatic5000]

funkyrobot said:

Or a large metal box with a really hungry, gay vampire in.

That would put the willies up them!