Mudlarking is the act of searching the riverbed for historical treasures. Mudlarks comb the Thames foreshore, which is only accessible for a few hours a day at low tide, in their hunt for objects, untouched since they were lost hundreds or even thousands of years ago. Mudlarking is a term used especially to describe those who scavenged this way in London during the late 18th and 19th centuries. Victorian mudlarks were the original ‘Foragers of the Foreshore,’ scavenging for anything on the exposed riverbed which they could sell in order to survive. They were often children, mostly boys, who braved dangerous conditions to find practical items like coal, iron, copper nails, and ropes which they could sell in order to buy food and essentials for themselves and their families. In contrast to the young Victorian scavengers of the Thames, mudlarks today have a passionate interest in London’s rich archaeology and history, and it has become a popular hobby which gives both adults and children.

Here are some key points about mudlarking:

• Mudlarking is the act of searching the riverbed for historical treasures.
• Mudlarks comb the Thames foreshore, which is only accessible for a few hours a day at low tide.
• Victorian mudlarks were the original ‘Foragers of the Foreshore,’ scavenging for anything on the exposed riverbed which they could sell in order to survive.
• Mudlarking has become a popular hobby which gives both adults and children a passionate interest in London’s rich archaeology and history.
• In order to go mudlarking in London, a Thames Foreshore Permit must be obtained from the Port of London Authority.
• Mudlarking is a catch-and-release activity, and tourists might be better off taking photos, making notes, and leaving the items in place.

Mudlarking is a personal pastime that allows people to contemplate history in an incredibly intimate way. The anaerobic Thames mud is a great preservative, which is why mudlarks find so much: pottery and glass, jewelry, buttons, pins, nails, bones, and all kinds of garbage (literally) of the ages. Mudlarking is an addictive hobby that can lead to finding incredible objects.