When people are asked about their perfect Sunday, few picture themselves scrabbling around on the muddy Thames banks.
But for Lara Mailkem, it’s a favourite pastime. She is arguably Britain’s most famous mudlarker – a practice which involves scavenging through river mud in search of lost historical items.
Lara said: “It’s absolutely a therapeutic experience. My main reason for doing it is just to get away from everything. The Thames feels far from the city and you’ve got that added excitement of what you might find.”
‘Mudlarking’ arose in the 18th century when impoverished peasants would search the Thames shores for anything that could be sold.
Today, it is a recognised hobby, with official mudlarkers requiring a license from the Port of London Authority.
Lara explained: “You don’t own anything you find as it all belongs to the Port of London Authority. If it’s over 300 years old, you have to report it to the Portable Antiquities Scheme. They have a fantastic database of objects found in beaches and fields.”
The Thames’ unusually oxygen-free properties mean items lost hundreds of years ago are remarkably well preserved. One of her finds was a Tudor shoe, a child’s toe prints still visible in the soles.
She has also discovered glass eyes, Charles I shillings and sword scabbards.
She said: “The magic is knowing that, after all those years, you’re the first person to have picked it up. It’s hands-on history!”
But her favourite find to date is a Medieval pilgrim badge from the shrine of St. Osmund of Salisbury, a popular destination for the religious travellers of the Middle Ages.
Describing it as Medieval “tourist tat”, Lara says people would buy these badges to retain the shrine’s blessing, before tossing it in the Thames once back in London, as a token of good return.
To help would-be mudlarkers take the plunge, Lara has published ‘A Field Guide to Larking’ which explains what objects you’re likely to find and how to find them.
Her advice, think practically: “The important thing is to get a permit, wear sensible shoes and clothes, and beware of the tides.”
To find the best treasure, she says: “Think about the where has historically been busiest with people and activity” and start searching there.
Lara was coy when asked about future projects, but will be hosting a talk at Southwark Cathedral at 7pm on Thursday 5 May.
The talk is at 7pm on Thursday 5 May 2022 at Southwark Cathedral. Tickets cost £10. Buy them here: https://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/whats-on/mudlarking-an-evening-with-lara-maiklem-with-bsl/
- READ MORE – See a previous article below on from Southwark News on plans for a mudlarking museum