Things We Found in the Ground: A Metal Detecting Journey Through Britain

by Eleanor Bruce, Lucilla Gray

In this guide-that’s-not-a-guide, metal detectorist cousins Ellie and Lucie explore their local landscape, getting to grips with the hobby, history and themselves along the way.

‘Enchanting and visceral’ DR MADELEINE PELLING

‘Brilliantly witty and magnificently down to earth’ DR REBECCA STRUTHERS

‘A joyful account of unearthing history, one discovery at a time’ SALLY COULTHARD

'An uplifting dive into the world of metal detecting' LARA MAIKLEM

'A joyful read, brimming with personal experience and unique insight’ HELEN CARR

Beginning with their first meeting in over 20 years at their grandfather’s home in Lincolnshire, the two cousins – Eleanor and Lucilla – quickly learn that each has a fascination with unearthing historic artifacts, which will set them off on their metal detecting journey …

Over many weeks and months spent digging countless holes, the pair make startling about the objects they find and what they tell us about our ancestors, about themselves and who they are as people, and about the power of community, as they forge connections with local villagers, detectorists and history lovers along the way.

This charming tale of (self-)discovery will capture the hearts and minds of those seeking escapism through the buried history that we walk over every day.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Archaeology

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2026

Reviews

[Missy]

Lovely cosy read about Metal Detecting. I liked the way the girls went on to tell you about the times in history that were relevant to their finds.
My only criticism is it would have been nice to have more pictures. I read this on the kindle so not sure if the paperback/hardback is different.

[Simon]

A fascinating mix of learning about being a detectorist and the history of the finds that these two young women made.

There's a lot of impressive patience, grit and determination (or possibly just bloody-minded mess) in finding what they do, often in all weathers.

The history paragraphs are gems of information and became a high spot of the book for me, though the mud and mundanity of detectoring was also intriguing.

The other thing here is the human element... From the friendship of the two women themselves, to other people who readily helped them and were fascinated by the practical history of their finds.

A good book! A good 4-star read for me. I did consider a 5-star rating.
I'd recommend this book happily.

[Carol]

I received an Advance Reading Copy of Things We Found In The Ground by Ellie Bruce and Lucie Gray as a win in a Goodreads Giveaway. It is a true story of two friends who took up the hobby of digging in the ground in England to find needle boxes, coins, buckles, and anything made of metal from different eras of history.

What was really great was that there were pictures of what they found, and even better, big sections explaining the historical periods when the items were created. I learned a lot about English history. including the Roman and Viking history in England, and that Queen Elizabeth I had 2,000 gowns, the lack of material goods for common women, the lack of rights, and what the Queen did to increase them.

I loved reading about their adventures, and it reminded me of digging for fossils in an Indiana limestone quarry and my own front yard. I really miss digging and finding those treasures!

[Maggie Timlin]

Unearthing absolute gems

During the pandemic friends Elenor and Lucilla were both looking around for soothing to fill their time and they light on metal detecting. They both want to find Roman stuff. What follows is their account of what they did right and what they got wrong. In amongst their story they have included gobbets of history and archaeology they stories of the items they found.

This is a charming book about finding a new hobby, jumping in feet first and letting it slowly change you. It is also a bit of a history book and an appreciation for the community that can be found when you need it.

Thank you to the publisher for a review copy of this book.

[Alanna Metz]

The title of the book explains it all! Ellie and Lucie start metal detecting during the pandemic and are instantly hooked. The book goes through their journey, find by find. Each major find is accompanied by a history lesson that involves that particular artifact. It’s a fascinating subject and presented in a very entertaining way. You’ll spend the book in suspense of what they will find next, rooting for them the entire way. The boon is written to make you feel like you are on each adventure with them. Very fun read!

I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Susan Keller]

A wonderful book !!! Follows two women who decide to have a good at metal detecting, as we follow them into alternately muddy and dry, hard packed fields, their excitement over finds. After each find they delve into its history and the people's who used the find. All producing a very good snapshot of the history of England and it's waves of settlers. A very informative and enjoyable book, made me want to try my hand at detecting!

[SophieJaneK]

For some reason I couldnt rate this because it says it is not published, although I bought and read it on Kindle!! The content is great, sharing some very exciting and interesting finds and making me sorely tempted to try out metal detecting. I would have given 5 stars but for the bad language which became irritating, unnecessary and relentless and for me, detracted from the book.

[Mollie Gray]

Fabulous read! Felt like I was there with them unearthing treasures and giggling along the way. Inspiring to read about two young women getting out there and trying something left of field, and discovering true passion along the way. It has ignited a history nerd in me and a curiosity to discover more of this world! Thank you for this little beauty ❤️ Hope to see more like this!

[Nicole]

I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway. Very interesting combination of history and artifacts. I did find narrator to be a bit confusing. Jumping all over the historical timeline was also difficult to follow as well.

[rachael gibson]

Felt like I was on every dig with them, getting mud behind my nails.

[Tom Wilkinson]

A good mix of memoir and history book. Thoroughly enjoyed following their journey and learning about metal detecting and the history of their finds.

[Carrie]

3.75 ⭐️

[Donna]

fun book with humor and heart

Have you ever wanted to use a metal detector to search for treasure? I have. That's why I gravitated toward this book.

The book tells the story of two cousins who started metal detecting during the Covid 19 pandemic. They share their perspectives on what they find (including a billion nails--not literally, of course), the challenges with getting permission to detect, and the history of various items they find.

It felt like hanging out with friends around a fire and sharing stories and treasures. The authors are candid about the hardships and the delight of metal detecting. The joys over finds and the disappointments when it turns out to be...another nail, a soda can, etc.

I am someone who loves archaeology and history. I haven't done much archaeology (just one dig so far), but I have been an armchair archaeologist most of my life. I devour history and archaeology books.

And this is now one of my favorites. The candor, the humor, and the exuberance make this book unputdownable.

Read it. Then read it again. I know I will read this several more times.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC of this book!