What sort of stuff can I find on the banks of the river Thames?

Liam · #1 (**permalink**) 05-25-2009, 02:13 PM

I dropped something off the embankment at Chelsea and went down the old staircase to the foreshore in order to try and get it back. I couldn't find it, but while I was there I bumped into a man who was digging for old pottery and bits of metal. He showed me some of the stuff that he had found - all in the few minutes he'd been down there - a few bullets, a brass badge, a coin - and a very nice brass belt buckle. I think I might try this myself at some point, but can anyone give me any advice? I've always had an interest in this sort of thing, but I never realised there was so much stuff lying down there.

Peppy · #2 (**permalink**) 05-25-2009, 02:13 PM

I used to go metal detecting along the Thames foreshore in the '70's. It was great fun, but not without its dangers; rising tides, deep mudholes etc.
Strangely, below the top silt there is a thick deep bed of clay and artefacts, including metal such as coins are well preserved. I was always surprised at how many old clay smokers pipes I always managed to find. I believe it is much more difficult to get permission to explore along the foreshore nowadays.