Treasure found at Paul Hollywood’s former estate

This gold Griffin ring was declared to be treasure at an inquest earlier this month. It was found in the grounds of Paul Hollywood’s former Kent home. Detectorist Mark Presland was detecting on the estate with permission of Paul’s ex wife, Alex on 26 March 2022 when he found the ring. It was recorded at the PAS as KENT-E2B7B6.

Paul said “The gold signet ring has a griffin motif on it which I believe represents strength, so it may well have been given to a young man on his coming of age as a present. It obviously wouldn’t have been a cheap item to purchase in those days. It’s a very beautiful item and remarkably in very good condition despite the fact that it’s been within the plough soil for nigh-on 450 years. It’s remarkable.“

A local museum is looking to acquire the ring once it has been valued. Paul said “I detect because I enjoy the hobby of being out and discovering the hidden past“. He continued that saving them from being destroyed and seeing them on public display in a museum gives him the “greatest delight“.