Step onto the tidal shores of the River Thames and uncover a hidden world of history waiting just beneath the surface.

Once, mudlarks scavenged the riverbanks out of necessity, searching for anything of value to survive. Today, mudlarking has transformed into a fascinating and rewarding pursuit - part archaeology, part treasure hunt - offering a unique window into London’s rich and layered past.

The Thames has always been the lifeblood of the city. Flowing through over 2,000 years of history, it has served as a vital trade route, a bustling port, and a repository for the objects people have lost, discarded, or deliberately cast into its waters. From everyday items like clay pipes or pottery from the Tudor era to remarkable finds such as Roman coins, jewellery, and tools, the river quietly preserves these traces of human life.

Twice a day, the tide recedes uncovering artefacts that help piece together London’s story. Licensed mudlarks carefully explore the exposed riverbed, their work not only satisfying curiosity but contributing to ongoing historical and archaeological records.

Join the Experience

This special event offers you the rare opportunity to step into the shoes of a modern mudlark. Guided by expert Thames explorers, you’ll spend two captivating hours on the foreshore near Millennium Bridge, scanning the ground for fragments of the past.

An Enriching Talk by Anne Haworth

Following the exploration, we return to the Club for refreshments and a talk by Anne Haworth – longtime friend and collaborator of the Club.

Anne is an independent scholar and historian with a distinguished background in art history and museum education, including her former role as a senior ceramics specialist at Christie’s Fine Art Auctioneers in London. Having worked with world-renowned collections and lived in Shanghai, she brings a truly global perspective to her subject.

Her talk will weave together art, ceramics, and the story of the Thames. Drawing on a remarkable painting at Tate Britain depicting an elderly man smoking a clay pipe - of the very kind often found by mudlarks - Anne will explore how artworks can illuminate everyday life along the river. She will also highlight the presence of beautiful ceramic objects within such paintings, including blue and white punch bowls made from English delftware or Chinese porcelain.

Anne will reveal the rich stories behind the objects discovered on the foreshore, as well as the thriving ceramic industries that once lined the Thames in the 17th and 18th centuries. Her talk offers a unique perspective, linking the artefacts you may uncover with the wider artistic and cultural history of London.

Timings:

12:45 - Gather in Shaw Room
13:00 - Depart Club
13:30 - 15:30: Mudlarking

16:00 - Arrive at Club
16:15 - Tea, coffee & talk by Anne
17:15 - Talk ends
17:30 - Dinner
19:00 - Event over