The Port of London Authority (PLA) has reopened applications for Thames mudlarking permits, according to BBC news. The centuries-old tradition of searching the Thames foreshore has surged in popularity, leading the PLA to relaunch its permit scheme after a two-year hiatus.
Up to 4,000 permits, each costing £35 a year, are now available, though automatic renewals—previously offered—are no longer in place. The new scheme ensures that those eager to explore London’s rich archaeological heritage can do so safely and responsibly.
James Trimmer, the PLA’s director of planning and development, explained the new scheme that will enable people to get permits to search the foreshore safely, while “continuing to preserve its unique history and heritage.” He emphasized the PLA’s responsibility to protect the tidal Thames’ historical significance. “As owners and custodians of the tidal Thames foreshore, we have a duty to protect its integrity and archaeology for future generations,” he said.
The decision to pause the scheme in 2022 followed a dramatic increase in permits, from just 200 in 2018-19 to over 5,000 in recent years. Concerns over safeguarding the delicate environment and its valuable historical finds prompted the temporary halt.
Permit holders are required to report any significant discoveries to the Museum of London, which catalogues and preserves these pieces of history. With artifacts dating as far back as 4500 BC being found along the foreshore west of the Thames Barrier, the PLA manages searches on its land alongside the Crown Estate.
This move marks a new chapter in the ongoing fascination with London’s rich and hidden history beneath the waters of the Thames.
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