The UK county where the most hidden treasure has been found with 1,200 discoveries

. But there is a place in where that fantasy could become reality, considering how many discoveries have been made in the last 10 years.

has been named the UK’s top county for treasure hunting, with more than 1,200 hidden treasures unearthed in the past decade.

According to government data, Norfolk has seen 1,201 finds between 2012 and 2023 and is the nation’s hotspot for buried treasures and ancient artifacts.

The county’s history and countryside have attracted metal detector enthusiasts from across the UK.

Norfolk’s total is 400 finds ahead of second-place , while ranks third with 709 discoveries.

Recent discoveries in Norfolk include a fragment of a Bronze Age gold ring found in north Norfolk and a gilded medieval pilgrim’s badge from Topcroft near Long Stratton.

Both items were donated to the Norwich Castle Museum, which houses many of the region’s incredible finds.

But there is a reason as to why the region leads the rankings when it comes to finding hidden treasures.

The area’s history goes as far back as the Iceni tribe, who lived in Norfolk over 2,000 years ago, before the Roman conquest.

The Romans then came and settled all over East Anglia, setting up their capital in Colchester, Essex.

Here is a short list of some of the best hidden treasures found in Norfolk

Saxon Silver CoinTeenager Reece Pickering struck gold – or rather, silver – when he found a rare Saxon coin near Bungay in 2017. The coin, a silver penny from Harold II’s reign in 1066, sold for £4,000 at auction.

Anglo-Saxon PendantUniversity of East Anglia student Tom Lucking unearthed a stunning seventh-century gold and garnet pendant near Winfarthing in 2014. Valued at £145,050, it now resides at Norwich Castle Museum.

Saxon Gold and MountMetal detectorist Mel Hollowger discovered two Saxon artifacts, including a gold strip and a pyramidal mount, in north Norfolk in 2018 – just six months after taking up the hobby.

14th-Century Gold Leopard CoinAndy Carter stumbled upon a rare gold leopard coin from Edward III’s reign near Reepham. The coin, one of only six ever found, fetched £140,000 at auction.

Treasure Chest on the BeachIn 2022, Jennie Fitzgerald found a treasure chest buried on a north Norfolk beach during a clean-up. Inside were coins, trinkets, a pocket watch, and an engraved matchstick holder.