A popular vacation destination has reported an uptick in treasure finds \u2013 posing an interesting opportunity for metal detectorists looking to get away.<\/p>\n
The United Kingdom hosts tens of millions of tourists<\/a> per year, including millions of Americans.\u00a0<\/p>\n In its most recent report, the U.K. Office for National Statistics estimated that there were 10.8 million overseas visits to Great Britain between April 1 and June 30, 2024.<\/p>\n MAN STUMBLES ACROSS HOARD OF PRICELESS COINS WHILE OUT FOR NATURE WALK: ‘FACE TO FACE WITH HISTORY’<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Not only has there been an increase in tourism \u2013 but more and more precious British treasure finds have been reported as well.<\/p>\n On May 8, the British government recorded its treasure-related finds in its 2024 coroners’ report for England and Wales. While a “coroners’ report” may sound morbid, British coroners investigate treasure troves<\/a> as well as deaths. The British government has recorded an increase in treasure finds in the past year.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The report noted there was a 12% increase in treasure finds<\/a> in 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Treasure” refers to objects that are at least 200 years old and of “outstanding historical, archaeological or cultural importance.”<\/p>\n METAL DETECTORISTS STUMBLE ACROSS 1200-YEAR-OLD TREASURE, UNUSUAL CHRISTIAN ARTIFACT IN VIKING GRAVES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The report said that “1,363 finds were reported to coroners in 2024, an increase of 144 [over] 2023.”<\/p>\n It also said that “500 inquests were concluded into finds. Of these, 98% (491) returned a conclusion of treasure, an increase in proportion by two percentage points when compared with 2023.”<\/p>\n For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com\/lifestyle<\/u><\/strong><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n The number of finds has increased steadily from 1997 to 2017, though it experienced a downward trend between 2018 and 2020.<\/p>\n The United Kingdom attracts millions of visitors per year, despite recent tourism fees.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “There was a big surge in metal-detecting activity during and following the COVID pandemic such that, since 2021, the number has been rising again,” the report noted.\u00a0<\/p>\n “In 2024, the number of finds rose to 1,363 from 1,219 in 2023 (up 12%). The number of treasure inquest conclusions increased by 10% (from 454 in 2023 to 500 in 2024).”<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n So where were most of the treasures found?<\/p>\n Over 40 of the treasure finds were uncovered in Devon and Dorset, two southwestern counties known for their seaside resorts.<\/p>\n Devon and Dorset, known for their coastlines, have also reported high numbers of treasure finds.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n For tourists visiting eastern England, Norfolk and Suffolk also reported over 40 finds.\u00a0<\/p>\n Yorkshire in northern England<\/a> also reported some of the most finds, along with rural Shropshire bordering Wales.<\/p>\n The number of treasure finds “held varies greatly across the country, most likely due to geographical and historical differences between areas,” the report also said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Yorkshire in northern England also reported some of the most finds.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n “In 2024, 24 coroner areas had no treasure finds reported to them, whilst Norfolk had the highest number of treasure finds at 132,” the study says.<\/p>\n But for anyone looking to visit the United Kingdom soon, that may cost you: The government has implemented tourism-related fees in the past year.<\/p>\n Yorkshire (seen here) also produced a high level of treasure finds in 2024.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n In September, the British government rolled out an “Electronic Travel Authorization” (ETA) that digitizes tourists’ requests to visit the country at the price of $13.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n
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