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Foreshore Exploration for Adults and Family Groups

Ethical, guided foreshore exploration.

  • Mudlark - a person who scavenges in river mud for objects of value.

  • …when the tide goes out London reveals its past…

  • The Shard is London’s highest veiwpoint, the foreshore is possibly the lowest

  • Foreshore - land exposed by the outgoing tide

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Find out how the Thames made London one of the greatest capital cities in the world.

We have been running foreshore exploration for 30 years and our 2 hour sessions are led by experienced and knowledgeable guides who are trained in foreshore health and safety.

Each day the outgoing tide reveals a different array of artefacts – join us to learn their historical significance. You can have fun discovering London’s archaeology either by booking a place on one of our scheduled events or by commissioning an exploring session at a time to suit you.

Our events are informal, informative, engaging and are suitable for adults, family groups, visitors to London and corporate groups.

Family groups may also be interested in booking a river-dipping session with one our guides to learn about the animals who live in or near the river Thames. Contact us for details.

We currently run exploration at the Millennium Bridge, Rotherhithe and Greenwich. See map.

Exploring events

Comissioned Exploring

Corporate Events

Artefact policy

In order to preserve the historic nature of the foreshore, and in line with the Port of London Authority’s rules, Thames Explorer requests you take only memories and photographs away and not artefacts. Please bring with you something to take photographs with.

Thames Explorer Trust does not recommend accessing the foreshore without an experienced guide. Access to the foreshore requires a permit from the Port of London Authority (PLA) – Thames Explorer holds a permit. Any form of digging or scraping is forbidden, there are however, a great many surface artifacts to discover.