Integrity
Permission first, agreed boundaries respected, and the countryside left as we found it.
Coils to soil • Low and slow
History beneath our feet.
Exploring Ashwell’s past with patience, respect and a genuine love of local history.
✓ Fully insured through the NCMD — public liability cover up to £10 million, including commercial cover
Explore our finds →Our mission
Detecting with purpose.
Ashwell Detectorists exists to discover, understand and help preserve the history beneath our feet. We work with integrity and honesty, respect landowners and the countryside, and treat every find as part of a wider story—not simply an object.
Honesty
Clear communication with landowners and responsible reporting of significant finds.
History
Research, context and careful identification help turn recovered objects into shared knowledge.
Work & accomplishments
Good work leaves a record.
From careful field surveys to supporting local archaeology, our work is grounded in preparation, methodical detecting and responsible follow-up.
Ashwell community dig
Assisted with detecting excavated spoil from test pits, helping recover and identify overlooked metal finds.
Historic farmland surveys
Systematic detecting on permission land, with find locations and context recorded for later research.
Identification & reporting
Researching coins and artefacts and referring potentially significant objects through the appropriate channels.
Finds map
Every object has a place.
Explore a selection of discoveries by period. Map markers show only broad areas: precise locations are protected for landowner privacy and site security.
Articles & resources
Read the landscape.
Notes from our own research alongside trusted resources for identifying, recording and understanding the heritage of Ashwell.
Why context matters as much as the find
Grid references, field conditions and nearby material can turn an isolated object into useful evidence of past activity.
Ask about our research →Ashwell’s archaeology
Explore community archaeology and the village museum’s collection of local history.
Ashwell Archaeology ↗Ashwell Museum ↗Recording and guidance
Official information on recording archaeological objects and understanding the Treasure process.
Portable Antiquities Scheme ↗Treasure guidance ↗The club
Meet the detectorists.
Ashwell Detectorists is a small local partnership built on trust, shared experience and enthusiasm for the area’s history. We are fully insured through the National Council for Metal Detecting, with public liability cover up to £10 million including commercial cover.
J
James
Detectorist, local-history researcher and co-founder. Interested in coins, artefact identification and making discoveries understandable to a wider audience.
W
Will
Detectorist and co-founder. Brings practical field experience, a methodical approach and a shared commitment to responsible detecting.
Landowners • Archaeologists • Community groups
Have a project in mind?
For detecting support, local research or a conversation about working together, contact James & Will. Fully insured through the NCMD.