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Mudlarking in London

My husband and I will be visiting London in September and would love to go mudlarking on the Thames. Can anyone recommend a good tour guide to go with?

Posted by
2 posts

Yes, thanks, I knew that a permit was required and hoped that the tour operator would take care of that. Just wondering if anyone has recommendations for a tour operator.

Posted by
309 posts

I don’t know of any guides, but have a look on Meet-Up and see if there are any groups planned for the time you’re in London. It will also depend on whether the tide is out on the day/time you’re thinking of.

Posted by
212 posts

It used to be that London Walks offered mudlarking on their walks. It was, obviously, under the usual constraints of tide, weather and sun. Tide was the definer and what really put the most constraints on when that walk would happen. We did it twice and thought it was enormous fun. You should check their website and see/

Posted by
212 posts

and then it turns out that if you google mudlarking in London, you get a lot of places to start.
https://thamesfestivaltrust.org/whats-on/#search=Hands%20on%20History&pp=12&p=1
https://www.viator.com/tours/London/Thames-Beachcombing/d737-92533P3
https://thames-explorer.org.uk/foreshore-walks/exploration-events/
Dr. Fiona Haughey holds a PhD in archaeology and is an expert in intertidal Thames history. When not on a dig abroad, she guides these tours 50 or so times per year. Haughey, a jovial woman with a droll sense of humour and an encyclopaedic knowledge of local history, arrives exactly on schedule. She assembles the group, collects the modest London Walks fee (£9 for adults; children under 15 accompanied by parents are free) and explains the ground rules.

Posted by
26834 posts

Although I suppose there could be something different about the mudlarking activity, London Walks has increased its prices since that article was written. The normal walking tour fee is 15 GBP for adults, 10 GBP for seniors and students, and 5 GBP for kids ages 8-15. Children under 8 are free.

Posted by
2599 posts

If you're on FB you might enjoy following a private group I belong to called The River Thames Mudlarking Finds...can't recall how I found it, but I do love all things London and it's wonderfully entertaining and educational--when I was in London in April I walked over the Tower bridge and was delighted to realize that the people I saw on the foreshore were searching for treasures. I hope to get a license and do it myself one of these trips. If you do, I will look forward to your report!