Surging interest in mudlarking—the practice of searching the tidal foreshore of the River Thames for historical artifacts—has created a waiting list of roughly 10,000 people seeking permits in London. The Port of London Authority, which manages the river, previously paused the issuance of new permits to protect the riverbed’s fragile ecosystem and preserve archaeological integrity. As finds can range from Roman coins to Victorian pottery, authorities are working to balance public enthusiasm with heritage preservation, requiring permitted searchers to report significant historical discoveries to archaeological experts.
- Mudlarking involves scouring the exposed banks of the River Thames during low tide for historical artifacts dating back centuries.
- The Port of London Authority suspended new permit applications after the waiting list expanded to approximately 10,000 applicants.
- A rise in the hobby’s popularity, partly driven by social media coverage, raised concerns over foreshore erosion and the disturbance of archaeological sites.
- Searchers are subject to strict regulations regarding digging depths and location access, and unauthorized searching remains illegal.
- Finds of archaeological significance must be recorded with the Museum of London through the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
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Anything but a job
Jason Sandy? now thats some nominative determinism
Are those people really searching in the Thames without gloves?😂😂😂
oh to smoke the antique pipe with some modern day frozen static
You can’t sell what you find? That’s ridiculous.
elite level unemployment
Thought that said "Mudsharking on the Thames" for a second…
A friend of mine would go snorkling around a local medieval castle. He found so many old ink bottles. People living there who were using them for writing letters would apparently just fling them through the window into the sea once they were empty.
Hahaha Britain requires a permit to pick up trash in a river? Europe really does regulate everything.
Shut up lady there's no chance youre risking your life down there.
The Thames has had sewer run through it for a thousand years
I've watched Nicola for many years now. I so enjoy her videos. I watch Si-Finds too, I've watched him almost as long as Nicola. My two favorite mudlarkers. They have taught me many historical things I didn't know before.
It would be fun to go across the pond and mudlark.
Seems like metal detectors have not reached The UK ????
Well that whet my appetite
Is it because the hobby shops have all closed and they are bored out of their skulls?
These are my kind of people. Ever since I could remember, I always had my eyes trained on the ground looking for arrow heads, 4 leaf clovers, and cool rocks. To this day, I haven't been able to end this hunt. 😊
Oi, you got a permit to walk on the riverbank and look for old garbage?
You need a permit to look for old garbage. Typical government power trip.
Risking your life? I don't think so. If that were true, where iss your safety equipment?
Is this how non-alcoholics spend their time?