Mudlarking On the Thames

Going Mudlarking on a rainy day is never a fab idea. But I didn't know it would be wet and miserable when I booked my ticket. Plus, my local train station was closed, so I had to take the bus, which took me directly to the Millennium Bridge in St Paul's. Mood - grumpy. Not a good start, but as they say, the show must go on.

Since creating Tabby London, I've been fascinated by history. I paid little attention in history classes, but now I seek it out wherever and wherever I can. So, I didn't hesitate to sign up for the Mudlarking experience because London sits on 2000 years worth of rubbish. The River Thames will inevitably throw some junk onto the river shoreline.

I went to Mudlarking on a school trip when I was seven years old, and I remember being fascinated by the clay pipes, which were plentiful on the river shore. Clay pipes, like today's vapes, were accessible for people, primarily men, who visited taverns in the 16th Century.

I thought nothing about Mudlarking after my school trip, but recently, I read about it whilst researching the Museum of London. I once saw a cabinet filled with objects that had been found on the river shoreline. I also knew they had strict rules about taking anything from the riverbed when the tide was out.

Meeting Point

We were expected to meet at the Glass Oblix on the North Side of Millennium Bridge. We were advised to bring gloves and wear old trainers. Indeed, we weren't going to pick things up, were we? I wasn't too comfortable with this because of the recent stories about Thames Water pumping sewage into the Thames. But once there, it went out of my mind.

The Prep Talk

It drizzled whilst we took shelter underneath the bridge, and Jo, our guide, an archaeologist, talked us through the process, the history and what we were likely to find. She even told us that Rhino remains were found in Trafalgar Square. That's fascinating for London history buffs.

Some get excited about discovering gold and silver, but Jo said that rarely happens. Instead, she told us what to expect and to take our time. I enjoyed the initial conversation whilst we all sat underneath Millennium Bridge. We saw some items we might see as she passed around, such as flint, clay pipes, tile pieces dating back a couple of centuries, and other items.

We were told beforehand that The climb down the steps was steep but not slippery. Off we went down the steep stairs. Interestingly, the water comes up high when the tide comes in. Some went down the stairs fine, others too, their time or went down by sitting on the stairs. My group was very patient as we descended.

What is Mudlarking?

Mudlarking is a quirky pastime rooted in history, where individuals search the foreshore of rivers for artefacts and treasures. As you can imagine, the treasures are revealed when the tide goes out. By treasures, I don't mean precious metals; I mean historical treasures dating back centuries. Mudlarking is steeped in tradition, dating back to the Victorian era when mudlarks were often impoverished children and adults scavenging for anything of value to sell.

Today, people do it for fun; whether you are a historian, an archaeologist or an amateur, there's something for everyone if you like rolling up your sleeves and sifting through the silt and pebbles. It might look like rubbish to some people, but you might uncover anything from Roman pottery shards and medieval pins to Georgian clay pipes and Victorian toys. Each find offers a tangible connection to the past, a story waiting to be unravelled.

I went with an open mind, and I have to say, at first, I wasn't sure what to expect. However, the history behind the objects was fascinating, and Jo, the archaeologist, later explained it.

While it's a hobby anyone can enjoy, it's important to follow regulations, especially on the Thames, where a permit is required for searching. Respecting the environment and any finds is crucial, as some discoveries might have significant historical value and need to be reported to the Museum of London.

Permits For Mudlarking

You can't go Mudlarking when you feel like it. Why? Because of its historical significance, one needs a permit from the Thames Water Trust, which reports to the Crown and manages the Thames foreshore. Previously, licences were granted to a couple of hundred people; now, it's issued 5000 quickly. They're unlikely to issue any new permits soon.

Rubbish A Plenty

I found plenty of pretty shells, flint, glass, and many bones. I didn't know the history behind any objects that caught my attention. After 40 minutes of searching, I was done, but my fellow group members beavered away and returned with a few items placed on a sheet laid out by Jo.

However, my favourite part was the wrap-up, where we learned the history behind the items we found. Pottery pieces dating back to King Henry VIII's time, tiles from the Edwardian and Victorian eras and glass dating to 1780.

Some of the bones date back 500 years. This piece of history wowed me. We learned that the Romans used the outside of the London Wall as a dumping ground. Naturally, a lot of the waste ended up in the River Thames.

Parting Comments

The skies cleared as we left, and I took a much-needed pit stop at the Salvation Army at the end of the north side of Millennium Bridge. It was nice to freshen up and get a bite to eat before heading home, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

People wander onto the 'beach' as the tide goes out, but be careful what you choose to pick up. You're not allowed to remove any items from the river foreshore as they are under the 'property' of the Thames Water Trust and, ultimately, the Crown. Jo put everything back into the River for other wanna-be mudlarks to discover and enjoy.

I would recommend Mudlarking and suggest going with an organised group like the one I chose.

Happy Mudlarking

Thank you for your attention, as always

Best wishes

Tabby