Mudlarking in the Thames
 

Has anyone ever searched for historic treasures (pottery, etc) in the Thames in London? When we there last year I talked with someone who had said it is a regular activity during low tide. I turned up a Christian Science Monitor article, that cites that it is legal, if one applies for a permit. I am curious if anyone has actually done it, and if you found anything. We are hoping to return to London in March and thought it would be an interesting twist to do for a day or two...<BR>

Martha:<BR><BR>Well, we didn't go mudlarking as it were but we did walk down to the edge of the river and looked around. As I recall, there was plenty of broken glass and other trash. The opportunities to hurt oneself in most unsanitary conditions seemed abundent. <BR><BR>If you want to pursue this, just be sure you are prepared with good gloves, shoes, and clothes you don't mind trashing. I, myself, think the Thames is lovely to look at but I wouldn't want to troll around through the mud looking for buried treasure.

I spent much of my childhood on archaeological digs with my parents - perhaps that is part of the appeal...

There are plenty of fragments of medieval pottery, clay pipes and oyster shells in the mud, downstream of London Bridge, though I doubt if you will find anything of more than curiosity value....and I doubt if anyone would ask you for a permit !

Mudlarking is technically the act of DIGGING along the Thames shore exposed during low tide. Within London, it does require a permit. The permitted mudlarkers are very aware who is illegally larking, and yes, they will turn people in. You can walk the shore without digging and not get into trouble.

Well, even walking along the foreshore could have its dangers if you don't have suitable shoes and don't keep an eye on the tide and your nearest exit to dry land. Don't forget that the Thames rises and falls 20-30ft twice a day in central London and is full of powerful hidden currents.

A question about mudlarking was asked last week on the Frommers.com forum. A link to the Port Authority of London mudlarking permit page was provided along with the address of the Society of Thames Madlarkers.

hmmh, madlarkers, obvious what I subconsciously think of this hobby!!