Some time ago I saw something on a documentary about going "mudlarking" (looking for old artifacts) on the banks of the Thames at low tide. I found it fascinating and would love to try it myself when I visit London next year. I'm intrigued by the thought of finding something ancient and interesting! Can anyone suggest a place where it would be suitable to do this, and does anyone know of any organised walks/ tours that would include mudlarking?
Thanks in anticipation of your replies.
lfaul6
1
talktoduncan
Anyone who wants to search the foreshore should have a permit from the Port of London Authority, the body that owns the majority of the muddy land that cradles the river. And although a Standard Permit allows the holder to take their search up to a depth of 7.5cm, it is only a Mudlark's Permit that allows any serious digging – and this premium permit is only available to members of the Society of Mudlarks
2
pagoo
London Walks does organised tours. Try their website. They only do them once a month or so,maybe due to tidal conditions? I've always wanted to do this too !
3
squirrellypoo
I live on the Thames in a barge, and as someone who has had to go down onto the mud on occasion, please believe me when I say that you reeeeeeeeally don't want to be down there. The rocky bits aren't too bad, but the muddy bits are very silty and you can easily step down into a hole and submerge your wellies. And the smell down there is somewhere between human feces and rotting fish. I really can't imagine why anyone would want to go there voluntarily, it's not a glamorous experience in the slightest, and then you've got the problem of your messy wellies to deal with afterwards...
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