London may not have a beach, but the River Thames runs through the city, and as it is a tidal river, the banks of the river are discovered every day.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, many poor people in London searched the riverbanks for trinkets that had fallen into the water and cargo that had fallen from passing ships, and they sold the treasures they found. Being a lark, someone who searched for these items, was a recognized occupation until the early 20th century. But mud hunting these days is more like walking the beach or hunting for treasures for those interested in London history.
Mudlarking along the Thames
The Thames is now one of the cleanest metropolitan rivers in the world, but it used to be regarded as London’s garbage dump. The Thames mud is anaerobic (without oxygen) and conserves everything you consume, making the 95-mile beach (the part of shoreline closest to the water) of the Thames tide one of the richest archaeological sites in Britain.
Mudlarking is the urban equivalent of walking on the beach (searching the beach for “treasures” washed up by the sea). There are serious hallucination enthusiasts who are on record and have all the necessary equipment, and then there are amateur archaeologists and the rest of us who are intrigued by London’s past that is displayed on the beach every day.
Mudlarking Rules
As of September 2016, a license is required to search for anything on the beach, even if you are just searching without intent to touch or remove anything.
You can apply for a license from the Port of London Authority, and the staff there can give you clear guidance on what you will be allowed to do and where.
It is very important that any objects found on the beach that may be of archaeological interest are reported to the Museum of London so that potentially everyone can benefit from the find. Through this scheme, the larks have helped to build an incomparable record of everyday life on a medieval river.
If you intend to take home what you find, you will need to obtain an export license.
Probable Findings
This is an urban setting, so you are more likely to find everyday objects that people have thrown away, such as pottery, buttons, and tools. It is extremely unlikely that you will find a bag of diamonds or a bag of gold.
The most common item to find is a clay pipe, which usually breaks and is often right on the surface. They were smoking pipes and were sold pre-filled with tobacco and although they could be reused they were usually thrown away, especially by dock workers, which explains why there are so many in the river. While that sounds like the equivalent of a modern cigarette butt and isn’t exciting, they date back to the 16th century.
Remember to take plastic bags with you for your finds and wash everything in clean water before letting others handle it.
Safety
The most important information you need to clean mud safely is in the daily tide charts. The Thames rises and falls more than seven meters (about 23 feet) twice a day as the tide comes in and out, and the water is cold.
Check the exit points because the river rises very fast and has an exceptionally strong current. Steps to the river can be slippery, so climb carefully.
Wash your hands or wear disposable gloves because the area is muddy. There is also a risk of contracting Weil’s disease (spread by rat urine in the water), and sewage in stormy conditions is still discharged into the river. The infection usually occurs through cuts in the skin or through the eyes, mouth, or nose. Medical advice should be sought immediately if adverse effects are experienced after visiting the beach, particularly flu-like symptoms such as temperature and body aches. In general, be careful not to touch your eyes or face before your hands are clean.
An antibacterial wash can help before giving those hands a good scrub.
Wear sturdy footwear because it can be muddy and slippery in places. Be sensible and don’t go on your own.
Finally, keep in mind that if you do venture onto the beach, you do so at your own risk and you must take personal responsibility for anyone you move in with. In addition to the tides and currents mentioned above, risks include raw sewage, broken glass, hypodermic needles, and washing glasses.
Where Mudlark
You can try searching for treasures in some prime locations in central London. You can pass the lark under the Millennium Bridge outside the Tate Modern on the South Bank or pass the North Bank near St. Paul’s Cathedral. Outside of Gabriel’s Wharf it can be a fun place to visit the shoreline, and the areas around the Southwark and Blackfriars bridges on the North Bank are also worth visiting. You can also get a glimpse of Canary Wharf by visiting the London Docklands Museum.
