Liz Anderson
@lizanderson.bsky.social
Licensed Thames Mudlark. Up To My Eyes In Silt. NB: It is illegal to search the tidal Thames Foreshore, for any reason, without a valid permit from the Port of London Authority.
Instagram: @lizanderson2
Blog: A Mudlark’s Diary https://amudlarksdiary.com/
Instagram: @lizanderson2
Blog: A Mudlark’s Diary https://amudlarksdiary.com/
And by the time Nelson faced Napoleon’s fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21st October 1805, HMS Victory (the second ship with this name) had moved on to bigger guns and bigger cannon balls, replacing the smaller falconet because more fire power was needed (photo of a replica falconet below.)
November 14, 2025 at 11:02 AM
And by the time Nelson faced Napoleon’s fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21st October 1805, HMS Victory (the second ship with this name) had moved on to bigger guns and bigger cannon balls, replacing the smaller falconet because more fire power was needed (photo of a replica falconet below.)
From this week on the foreshore, my first Thames cannon ball eroding out of the mud between some concretion and an ancient timber. I’ve found muskets & canister shot, but never one of these. Known as a ‘falconet’ cannon ball because it was fired from a falconet, a fairly light, manoeuvrable gun 1/
November 14, 2025 at 10:52 AM
From this week on the foreshore, my first Thames cannon ball eroding out of the mud between some concretion and an ancient timber. I’ve found muskets & canister shot, but never one of these. Known as a ‘falconet’ cannon ball because it was fired from a falconet, a fairly light, manoeuvrable gun 1/
Office for the day. One of the best views #Mudlark #RiverThames
November 13, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Office for the day. One of the best views #Mudlark #RiverThames
Sherd from a porcelain saucer found on the Thames Foreshore yesterday. Tree root giving off heavy Edvard Munch ‘The Scream’ vibes 😱 #mudlark
November 7, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Sherd from a porcelain saucer found on the Thames Foreshore yesterday. Tree root giving off heavy Edvard Munch ‘The Scream’ vibes 😱 #mudlark
On 5th Nov in Britain we remember the Gunpowder Plot, an attempt to blow up Parliament & assassinate King James I. Some years ago while mudlarking I found a James I copper alloy coin weight for a half crown of the 2nd coinage (1612-1619) which might never have happened if Fawkes & Co had succeeded.
November 5, 2025 at 7:58 AM
On 5th Nov in Britain we remember the Gunpowder Plot, an attempt to blow up Parliament & assassinate King James I. Some years ago while mudlarking I found a James I copper alloy coin weight for a half crown of the 2nd coinage (1612-1619) which might never have happened if Fawkes & Co had succeeded.
From last week’s exceptionally low tide at Twickenham Riverside during this year’s Draw-Off. The Thames is still tidal here (up to Teddington Lock) and there are days when it looks like someone has pulled the plug. On Wednesday afternoon I walked across to Eel Pie island & the boatyard. Wonderful.
November 3, 2025 at 9:16 AM
From last week’s exceptionally low tide at Twickenham Riverside during this year’s Draw-Off. The Thames is still tidal here (up to Teddington Lock) and there are days when it looks like someone has pulled the plug. On Wednesday afternoon I walked across to Eel Pie island & the boatyard. Wonderful.
It’s Hallowe’en. So here’s an eerie late 18thC boathouse, only fully visible once a year during the annual Richmond Draw-Off, when the PLA opens Richmond Lock to carry out repairs, and causing amazing low tides. I went in and of course a pigeon immediately flew out & nearly got trapped in my hair 😱
October 31, 2025 at 9:52 AM
It’s Hallowe’en. So here’s an eerie late 18thC boathouse, only fully visible once a year during the annual Richmond Draw-Off, when the PLA opens Richmond Lock to carry out repairs, and causing amazing low tides. I went in and of course a pigeon immediately flew out & nearly got trapped in my hair 😱
Re the last repost & explanation, I am fascinated by these Hindu offerings in the Thames. More spotted at Twickenham Riverside during the annual Draw-Off yesterday. Mostly little terracotta offerings pots. Unless they’re plastic (not good for wildlife) I usually leave them where they are #mudlark
October 30, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Re the last repost & explanation, I am fascinated by these Hindu offerings in the Thames. More spotted at Twickenham Riverside during the annual Draw-Off yesterday. Mostly little terracotta offerings pots. Unless they’re plastic (not good for wildlife) I usually leave them where they are #mudlark
Ganesh/Ganesha, the Elephant God, found at low tide on the Thames Foreshore. Remover of obstacles, God of wisdom and new beginnings. Someone has placed this in the river as an offering, the Thames symbolically replacing the Ganges for London’s Hindu community. Made from ceramic, I left him in peace.
October 29, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Ganesh/Ganesha, the Elephant God, found at low tide on the Thames Foreshore. Remover of obstacles, God of wisdom and new beginnings. Someone has placed this in the river as an offering, the Thames symbolically replacing the Ganges for London’s Hindu community. Made from ceramic, I left him in peace.
The annual Richmond Draw-Off has begun when the PLA opens Richmond Lock and Weir in order to carry out vital repairs, resulting in very low tides which make it look as if someone has pulled the plug on the river. A great opportunity to mudlark (NB permit needed) & stroll underneath the old bridge.
October 28, 2025 at 8:07 AM
The annual Richmond Draw-Off has begun when the PLA opens Richmond Lock and Weir in order to carry out vital repairs, resulting in very low tides which make it look as if someone has pulled the plug on the river. A great opportunity to mudlark (NB permit needed) & stroll underneath the old bridge.
The Thames Foreshore isn’t just about artefacts, but a whole host of archaeology & ancient features visible at low tide. I have a *thing* about anchors; beautiful heavy things used to moor a vessel to the sea/river bed. Typically with a metal shank, a pair of curved barbed flukes at the other end 1/
October 25, 2025 at 3:43 PM
The Thames Foreshore isn’t just about artefacts, but a whole host of archaeology & ancient features visible at low tide. I have a *thing* about anchors; beautiful heavy things used to moor a vessel to the sea/river bed. Typically with a metal shank, a pair of curved barbed flukes at the other end 1/
Something slightly decadent about nightlarking on the Thames. I always go with friends, the foreshore can be a dangerous place but at night familiar features morph into different shapes and forms. Timbers, bridges, metal posts, mud can be treacherous. London sparkled like a jewel last night 1/
October 22, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Something slightly decadent about nightlarking on the Thames. I always go with friends, the foreshore can be a dangerous place but at night familiar features morph into different shapes and forms. Timbers, bridges, metal posts, mud can be treacherous. London sparkled like a jewel last night 1/
Photo sent to me by a friend of my finds table at our exhibition at Guildhall, City of London. Beads can be difficult to date & I’ve realised that these ones are actually a mix of Roman to post-medieval. I’ve displayed this lot on orange felt, the beads pinned into place with 14th/18thC brass pins.
October 21, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Photo sent to me by a friend of my finds table at our exhibition at Guildhall, City of London. Beads can be difficult to date & I’ve realised that these ones are actually a mix of Roman to post-medieval. I’ve displayed this lot on orange felt, the beads pinned into place with 14th/18thC brass pins.
A handful of my Thames-found World War One and World War Two related artefacts. My mudlarking friend Elle Harmer will be including these together with other similar Thames finds in a special cabinet display for Remembrance month this November at Southwark Cathedral 1/
October 15, 2025 at 8:08 AM
A handful of my Thames-found World War One and World War Two related artefacts. My mudlarking friend Elle Harmer will be including these together with other similar Thames finds in a special cabinet display for Remembrance month this November at Southwark Cathedral 1/
Didier the Doodle has gatecrashed the cats and kittens thing & is sending his warmest regards (and stuffed toy owls) your way x
October 14, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Didier the Doodle has gatecrashed the cats and kittens thing & is sending his warmest regards (and stuffed toy owls) your way x
Yeah. Not a slab of chocolate but concretion with brown tiles, and definitely has a 1960s interior décor look, if you ask me. The river has forever been used as a dustbin for building rubble, whether Roman or from the modern era #Mudlark #ThamesForeshore
October 13, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Yeah. Not a slab of chocolate but concretion with brown tiles, and definitely has a 1960s interior décor look, if you ask me. The river has forever been used as a dustbin for building rubble, whether Roman or from the modern era #Mudlark #ThamesForeshore
Last weekend of this year’s pop-up Hands On History/Thames Festival Trust mudlarking exhibitions in the crypt of the stunning St Paul’s Cathedral, London, on a beautiful autumn day. The exhibition will be open for the final day tomorrow, Sunday 12th October, 10-5pm, entry free. Do come!
October 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Last weekend of this year’s pop-up Hands On History/Thames Festival Trust mudlarking exhibitions in the crypt of the stunning St Paul’s Cathedral, London, on a beautiful autumn day. The exhibition will be open for the final day tomorrow, Sunday 12th October, 10-5pm, entry free. Do come!
This weekend sees the final Hands on History mudlarking exhibition of the autumn’s Totally Thames Festival 2025. Come and meet the Mudlarks within the historic walls of stunning St Paul’s Cathedral, Sat 11th/Sun 12th October, 10-5pm, free entry. Do come! #mudlarks #mudlarking #HandsOnHistory
October 9, 2025 at 6:14 AM
This weekend sees the final Hands on History mudlarking exhibition of the autumn’s Totally Thames Festival 2025. Come and meet the Mudlarks within the historic walls of stunning St Paul’s Cathedral, Sat 11th/Sun 12th October, 10-5pm, free entry. Do come! #mudlarks #mudlarking #HandsOnHistory
At Richmond Theatre this evening for an evening with Professor Mary Beard. Judging by the number of people brandishing buckets of popcorn as they take their seats, we are in for a lot of chomping tonight. Are folk really unable to sit through an hour and twenty minutes lecture without eating?
October 5, 2025 at 6:22 PM
At Richmond Theatre this evening for an evening with Professor Mary Beard. Judging by the number of people brandishing buckets of popcorn as they take their seats, we are in for a lot of chomping tonight. Are folk really unable to sit through an hour and twenty minutes lecture without eating?
To the Thames Foreshore at Rotherhithe yesterday on a grey, showery afternoon. Home of ship/barge building & breaking, nails and iron scrap are visible everywhere here. A few small finds - tiny cowrie shell brought back from the Indian/Pacific Oceans as ballast on vessels. And a pottery sherd - 1/
October 4, 2025 at 4:40 PM
To the Thames Foreshore at Rotherhithe yesterday on a grey, showery afternoon. Home of ship/barge building & breaking, nails and iron scrap are visible everywhere here. A few small finds - tiny cowrie shell brought back from the Indian/Pacific Oceans as ballast on vessels. And a pottery sherd - 1/
Thames find from earlier this week. Someone thought this heavy crystal glass was precious enough to have their initials HP beautifully etched into the base. I’ve seen tavern tankards with similar engravings but not in glass. Ownership of items has always mattered. Probably late 18thC or early 19thC.
October 3, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Thames find from earlier this week. Someone thought this heavy crystal glass was precious enough to have their initials HP beautifully etched into the base. I’ve seen tavern tankards with similar engravings but not in glass. Ownership of items has always mattered. Probably late 18thC or early 19thC.
Happy birthday to the absolute unit that is Didier the Doodle, aka The Floofen Prince. Made short work of opening his new toy before burying it in the garden a few moment later & digging up a newly planted rosemary shrub. Barked at a squirrel and the postman. Happy days.
October 2, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Happy birthday to the absolute unit that is Didier the Doodle, aka The Floofen Prince. Made short work of opening his new toy before burying it in the garden a few moment later & digging up a newly planted rosemary shrub. Barked at a squirrel and the postman. Happy days.
Late afternoon dog walk in Bushy Park, shadows lengthening, autumn is coming. Lots of bellowing and rustling in nearby bushes, rutting season underway (stags, not people, obvs.) The Floofen Prince was kept on a lead, safe from seven tons of meat with antlers getting antsy with him. Or with us.
September 29, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Late afternoon dog walk in Bushy Park, shadows lengthening, autumn is coming. Lots of bellowing and rustling in nearby bushes, rutting season underway (stags, not people, obvs.) The Floofen Prince was kept on a lead, safe from seven tons of meat with antlers getting antsy with him. Or with us.