The London Museum Docklands is set to unveil its latest major exhibition, Secrets of the Thames: Mudlarking London’s Lost Treasures, from 4 April 2025 to 1 March 2026. This exhibition will be the first to focus entirely on the practice of mudlarking, showcasing a wealth of fascinating finds from the Thames foreshore, an archaeological site of international significance that holds thousands of years of London’s history.
Mudlarking, once a profession of the impoverished during the Victorian era, has grown in popularity as a hobby for history enthusiasts. Today, licensed mudlarks comb the Thames at low tide, uncovering a range of artifacts that offer glimpses into the everyday lives and lost stories of Londoners across the centuries.
One of the most exciting objects featured in the exhibition is a rare Tudor knitted wool hat, preserved by the river’s unique conditions. Discovered 500 years after it was lost, the cap is modeled after the more luxurious velvet designs of the wealthy but made more affordable with wool. This unique survival of a bygone era will be displayed alongside other extraordinary finds, including a medieval gold ring inscribed with “For love I am given,” a Viking-era dagger personalized with the name “Osmund,” and even a set of 18th-century false teeth.
The Secrets of the Thames exhibition will also feature a wide range of more ordinary, yet still fascinating, objects, such as clay pipes, medieval spectacles, and a pilgrim’s badge humorously decorated with phallic symbols. These everyday items offer insight into Londoners’ lives, from their vices and habits to their faith and travels.
Curator Kate Sumnall shared her enthusiasm for the upcoming exhibition, noting, “We are fortunate in London to have this tidal river environment that has preserved so much of our past. The Thames is the longest archaeological site in London, and the objects it has safeguarded—ranging from a well-preserved Tudor hat to clay pipes that were once as common as today’s disposable vapes—help us understand the city’s rich history. Thanks to the dedication of modern mudlarks, we continually discover objects that deepen our understanding of London’s past.”
The exhibition will be an immersive experience, recreating the foreshore and displaying many never-before-seen artifacts that have recently been added to the museum’s collection. Visitors will gain insights into how these items are discovered, recorded, and researched. Mudlarks themselves will also offer personal accounts of their searches and the stories behind their most exciting finds.
The Thames has been at the heart of human activity in London for over 10,000 years. Objects that have been lost, discarded, or forgotten along the riverbanks tell the story of Britain’s evolving past, from prehistoric communities to the arrival of the Romans and the expansion of Viking territories. The river has been witness to London’s transformation into the first port of the British Empire, with each era leaving behind traces of everyday life, commerce, faith, and recreation.
The history of mudlarking stretches back to the mid-19th century, when some of London’s poorest communities would scour the riverbanks for scrap metal, rope, or coal to sell. Often performed by children, it was a hazardous occupation, with workers braving cold, dangerous tides and debris to find items that could be traded for a few coins.
While modern mudlarking is a far cry from its dangerous past, it still offers a unique connection to London’s rich history. Today’s mudlarks must have a license from the Port of London Authority to search the foreshore. Any object found that is over 300 years old must be reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme and the Finds Liaison Officer at the London Museum. On average, around 700 finds are recorded each year, with only the most significant making their way into the museum’s permanent collection.
The popularity of mudlarking has surged in recent years, with an increasing number of licenses being issued, particularly since 2020. The museum’s Secrets of the Thames exhibition will offer a rare chance to see some of the most remarkable finds up close and learn about the role of mudlarks in uncovering the city’s buried past.
Tickets for Secrets of the Thames: Mudlarking London’s Lost Treasures will be available from February 2025, and the exhibition will run from 4 April 2025 to 1 March 2026. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore the treasures hidden beneath the surface of the Thames and discover the fascinating stories they reveal about London’s rich and varied history.
Author: Jonathan Thomas
Jonathan is a consummate Anglophile who launched Anglotopia.net in 2007 to channel his passion for Britain. Londontopia is its sister publication dedicated to everything London.