Thames Beachcombing
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
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
Not recommended for travelers who are unsteady on their feet
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Local guide
Gloves
Plastic bags
None
What To Expect
London
We visit the Thames Foreshore at various places during the year. Please contact me regarding times.
Options
Thames Beachcombing
Reviews
113 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Brilliant!
emmabW5949DX,
Oct 15, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00A 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.
Great experience!
TEN147,
Oct 13, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00I 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!!
Chantelle G,
Sep 22, 2025
- Viator
5.00What 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!!
Fantastic Mudlarking Adventure
Hillary F,
Sep 17, 2025
- Viator
5.00We 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
Putney family mudlarking fun
Penny K,
Sep 15, 2025
- Viator
5.00Easy mudlarking with knowledgeable guide. Plenty of time to explore the foreshore with wide banks. Good one to do with kids, although slim pickings. Lots of pipe stems and some pottery pieces and roof tiles pre fire of London. Nice to share and discuss finds afterwards. Meet point is under cover and a quick walk to the access point but should be aware of slippery access. Would recommend wellies for this foreshore as quite muddy. A good fun experience.
Thames Beachcombing
Elizabeth T,
Sep 11, 2025
- Viator
5.00The foreshaw is muddy and the tide moves quickly but our guide was very knowledgable and fun! We collected a lot of cool things and it was fascinating to learn about things that had washed up.
A great afternoon mudlarking - highly recommend it!
helensD5642ZJ,
Aug 22, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00We had no idea what to expect and there were more people in the group than we thought there would be (all ages), but it was a brilliant few hours. A quick health & safety briefing from Robert, with gloves and bag for finds provided, he then showed us photos of what to look out for. We met some lovely people, some who had done mudlarking before and their enthusiasm was infectious. At the end, once the tide started coming in and we were safely back at the meeting point, Robert went through our hauls to date and identify them - and he advised what to leave behind! My favourite item was a clay pipe bowl from 1680, but we found all sorts of clay pipes, glass and pottery. Robert followed up with an email to check we enjoyed the afternoon and asking us to send him photos of any objects we wanted information on. You will need sturdy footwear and to take care on the rocky/slippery surface which is full of glass. We'll definitely do it again!
Rare and enjoyable experience!
D5184DSchantalp,
Jul 15, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing and rare experience to mudkark on the Thames with Robert’s group permit! Lovely morning spent under London Landmarks searching for history! Thank you for being a knowledgeable and friendly host Robert! Highly recommend!
We had a great...
Sherrianne S,
Jul 15, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had a great experience, the kids loved it! Robert was very friendly, approachable and knowledgeable about all items we found. It can be muddy so wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
Lots to be found in the foreshore
M2699DVpennyk,
Jun 17, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00I have a Thames Foreshore permit but I’m not confident with reading the tides. Going to one of Robert’s sessions was perfect - he was extremely knowledgeable, gave enough info without talking for ages and then we were off to hunt. I particularly enjoyed comparing finds at the end. This particular area around Cannon Street had an abundance of tiles pre fire of London, which was fascinating. Plus a few pipe bits and pottery pieces, all in all it was a great morning mudlarking.
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