UK Metal Detecting Permission Letter Builder
Create professional permission letters for landowners – free, with optional Pro tools.
About This Permission Letter
This tool helps UK detectorists create a clear, professional permission agreement that farmers and landowners feel comfortable signing.
It complements our full guide to UK metal detecting laws & guidelines .
- Fill in detectorist & landowner details
- Describe the land and dates
- Choose your finds/reward split
- Include Treasure Act, PAS & care-of-land clauses
This template is for hobby use only and does not replace legal advice. Laws and guidance can change over time.
Unlock Pro Features
Use this builder often? Support WishfulDetecting.com and unlock handy extras:
- Save & load up to 3 profiles (detectorist + land details) in your browser
- Keep different profiles for different farms or clubs
- New: Download a PDF and quickly email the landowner
After PayPal checkout you’ll be sent back here with ?pro=1 in the URL. Pro features work locally
in your browser – no login or account needed.
Build Your Permission Letter
Permission Letter Preview
Metal Detecting Permission Agreement
Use the form above to generate a customised permission letter. Once you’ve filled in your details, click “Generate letter”, then review and print.
Note: This template is for hobby use only and is not legal advice. If you are unsure about any wording, seek independent legal advice.
Why I Created The UK Metal Detecting Permission Letter Builder?
I created the UK Metal Detecting Permission Letter Builder because getting permission is one of the biggest barriers metal detectorists face – especially in the UK. It’s not the detecting itself that puts people off; it’s the awkwardness, uncertainty, and fear of “saying the wrong thing” when approaching a landowner. I’ve been there myself many times, staring at a blank page, wondering how formal to be, what to include, and how not to sound suspicious or unprofessional.
Over the years, I noticed that many detectorists either avoid asking for permission altogether or rush it with poorly written messages. Some copy random templates from forums, others send casual texts that don’t inspire confidence, and some simply knock on doors hoping for the best. The problem is that landowners are rightly cautious – and a badly written permission request can close doors permanently, not just for you but for detectorists in general.
I wanted a solution that removes the stress and guesswork from the process. Something that helps detectorists present themselves clearly, respectfully, and professionally, without needing legal knowledge or writing experience. The Permission Letter Builder was created to do exactly that: guide you step-by-step and generate a clear, polite, and well-structured letter that landowners can trust.
The Free version exists because I believe everyone should have access to a solid, respectful permission letter especially beginners. The Pro version goes further by offering more flexibility, detail, and personalisation for those who want to maximise their chances and approach permissions more strategically and by allowing you to email the farmer or landowner in one swoop and for you to save your letters too.
Ultimately, I created this tool to help myself first but very quickly realised how useful it could be for others. If it helps detectorists get more permissions, reduces misunderstandings with landowners, and improves the reputation of the hobby as a whole, then it’s done its job.
How to Use The UK Metal Detecting Permission Letter Builder (Free + Pro)?
Using the UK Metal Detecting Permission Letter Builder is designed to be straightforward, even if you’ve never written a permission letter before. The idea is to make the process quick, stress-free, and effective, while still producing a professional result that landowners feel comfortable with.
To begin, you simply choose whether you’re using the Free or Pro version of the tool. The Free version walks you through the essential information needed for a solid permission request, such as who you are, what you’re asking for, and reassurance about responsible detecting. Once completed, the tool generates a ready-to-use letter that you can print, email, or hand-deliver.
The Pro version builds on this by allowing more personalisation and refinement. You can tailor the tone, include additional reassurances, clarify access details, and present yourself in a way that best suits the landowner and location. This is especially useful if you’re approaching large estates, long-term permissions, or particularly cautious landowners.
Once your letter is generated, you can use it in whatever way suits you best. Some detectorists prefer to post or hand-deliver a printed copy, others use it as the basis for an email or follow-up conversation. The key advantage is that you’re no longer starting from scratch — you’re starting from a proven structure.
The tool doesn’t just create a letter; it teaches you what matters to landowners. Over time, you’ll understand why certain wording works, how reassurance builds trust, and what information increases your chances of a “yes.” Whether you use it once or regularly, the Permission Letter Builder becomes a reliable part of your permission-seeking toolkit.
Why I Love This Great Tool?
I genuinely love this tool because it removes one of the most frustrating parts of metal detecting. Instead of feeling awkward or unsure when asking for permission, I now feel confident, prepared, and professional. That alone makes a huge difference to how permission requests are received.
What I appreciate most is consistency. Every letter generated follows a clear, respectful structure that landowners can understand and trust. It avoids common mistakes like sounding entitled, vague, or overly casual. Instead, it presents metal detecting as a responsible, well-thought-out activity which is exactly how it should be presented.
I also love how adaptable the tool is. No two permissions are the same, and the Pro version in particular allows me to adjust wording depending on the situation. Whether I’m contacting a small private landowner, a farmer, or someone managing multiple fields, I can tailor the letter without rewriting everything from scratch.
Another reason I keep using it is that it saves time. When you’re actively detecting, researching locations, and planning hunts, the last thing you want is to spend hours rewriting letters. This tool lets me focus on detecting while still approaching permissions properly.
Most importantly, it works. I’ve had more positive responses, clearer communication, and fewer misunderstandings since using structured permission letters. Even when the answer is “no,” the response is usually polite and respectful which matters more than people realise.
For me, this tool isn’t just convenient, it’s become an essential part of how I metal detect responsibly in the UK and elsewhere for that matter.
How You Can Use It to Your Advantage?
The biggest advantage of using the UK Metal Detecting Permission Letter Builder is that it puts you ahead of most other permission requests landowners receive. Instead of an unclear or rushed message, you’re presenting yourself as organised, respectful, and serious about detecting responsibly.
One major advantage is confidence. When you know your letter covers the right points, including reassurance about filling holes, removing rubbish, and respecting land, you approach permissions with far less hesitation. Confidence shows, and landowners notice it.
Another advantage is clarity. The tool ensures that landowners understand exactly what you’re asking for and what you’re not. This reduces misunderstandings and prevents issues later on. Clear communication is one of the most overlooked aspects of successful permissions.
Using the Pro version can also help you build long-term permissions. A well-written letter sets expectations early and shows that you’re thinking beyond a single visit. This can open doors to repeat access, referrals, or even recommendations to neighbouring landowners.
The tool also helps protect the hobby as a whole. When detectorists approach permissions professionally, it improves the reputation of metal detecting in general. That benefits everyone, not just you.
In short, this tool gives you structure, credibility, and a better chance of success, all while saving time and reducing stress.
What’s The Alternatives to This Tool?
The most common alternative is writing permission letters from scratch. While this can work, it often leads to inconsistent quality and missed details. Many detectorists either overcomplicate things or leave out important reassurances that landowners care about.
Another alternative is copying templates from forums or social media. The problem here is that many templates are outdated, poorly worded, or not suited to UK land access realities. Worse still, landowners may have seen the same copied letter multiple times.
Some detectorists rely solely on door-knocking and verbal requests. While this can work for confident individuals, it puts pressure on both you and the landowner and leaves no written record of what was agreed.
Paid legal templates exist, but they’re often generic and not written with metal detecting specifically in mind. They can feel cold, overly formal, or intimidating to landowners.
Compared to these alternatives, the UK Metal Detecting Permission Letter Builder offers a balanced, practical solution. The Free version gives everyone access to a solid starting point, while the Pro version provides added flexibility and refinement. It’s built by a detectorist, for detectorists, with real-world experience behind it.