Thames Beachcombing/Mudlarking
Description
Discover the fun activity of mud larking, or beachcombing for washed-up objects along the foreshore of the Thames during low tide, on this hands-on excursion with a local guide. Your guide will contact you to provide the location and time, which changes throughout the year based on low tides. Make your own way meeting location, where you will be provided with gloves and a bag and tips on what to look for. Look for washed-up treasures, which could include clay pipes, pottery fragments, tiles, and other objects that you can spot with your eyes only. At the end, your guide will help identify your finds and provide historical context.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We visit the Thames Foreshore at various places during the year. Please contact me regarding times.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult
- Dress code is wellington boots or hiking boots as foreshore is stony and can be muddy
- All tours take place in the morning.
- All tours take place in the morning, please email me (robert@thamesbeachcombing.com) in advance re when we start"
- Not recommended for travelers who are unsteady on their feet
Reviews(119)
Great experience! The guide was knowledgeable about the history and types of finds on the shore. It was fantastic to have a chance to find bits of history. Wear waterproof shoes & bring hand sanitizer for afterwards.
We had another really enjoyable morning Thames beachcombing with Robert. He is extremely knowledgeable and takes the time to go through everybodys finds at the end. Highly recommended experience fun and friendly. 5 stars! Marvellous.
Great way to spend a few hours in London. Robert was amazing and was a fun experience looking for interesting items washed up in the tide.
What a great experience! I had a blast. I found many small pieces of pipe stems, interesting old pottery shards, bones, bits of flint. All the other people were lovely and friendly. Highly recommend!
It was a great way to explore another side of London's history. A very hands-on experience and its amazing how much you can find on the foreshore. We found some Victorian pottery, a 17th century pipe and a bullet casing from WW2!
the guide was not very social and untill we got to the foreshore he barley spoke, he gave a oc health and safety talk and showed us some things to look for, then we were left to our own divices. I did see him picking up litter a few times, I can't speek for other participants. when we returned to show what we had found he only spoke to us breefly. The section of river seemed to be well picked over and good finds were rear. If I had to give a score I would give it a 3 or 4 out of 10.
A fantastic way to spend a few hours in London!! Robert is very helpful and knowledgeable. Once you start looking for historical treasures you can't stop. I found sections of clay pipe and some Tudor pottery shards.
I really enjoyed the few hours mudlarking! Robert was really knowledgeable and explained the history of our finds! I will be doing it again!!
What a fantastic experience!! My Mum and I absolutely loved it from start to finish. Robert was superbly knowledgeable and a joy to meet. We will 100% be doing this experience again. Can't recommend enough!!
We had such a blast beach combing on the Thames. Found some great historical artifacts. Lots of pipe bowls and stems. Boots are very handy as it’s nice to be able to explore all areas of the foreshore. The mud can get everywhere
