Thames foreshore permits

Thames Foreshore Permits

Anyone searching the tidal Thames foreshore from Teddington to the Thames Barrier - in any way for any reason - must hold a current foreshore permit from the Port of London Authority. This includes all searching, metal detecting, ‘beachcombing’, scraping and digging.

As from 20 May 2020, the PLA is instituting a new automated application process, which can be accessed from the link below. Please note that applications will not be processed without all the relevant paperwork provided and that your Foreshore Permit will be issued by e-mail as a pdf document, which should be taken onto the foreshore.

Permit

The PLA only issues a standard permit, which allows digging to a depth of 7.5 cm. The PLA is not currently issuing any new ‘mudlark permits’.

Please note: On expiry of your Foreshore Permit, please apply through the link below to renew.

Fees

Permit fees are reviewed annually.

Fees for 2020

Adult £85

£85 Junior (15-17yrs) £55 (must be accompanied by a permit holding adult)

£55 (must be accompanied by a permit holding adult) Junior (12-14yrs) £30 (must be accompanied by a permit holding adult)

£30 (must be accompanied by a permit holding adult) Monthly £40 (permit valid for one day within the month following the date of purchase; please do not purchase more than one month in advance of the day you wish to go on the foreshore)

Applying for a Permit

To apply for a Permit, please complete an application through the following link –

Apply for Foreshore Permit

Safety

The Thames foreshore is potentially hazardous and some dangers may not always be immediately apparent. The Thames can rise and fall by over seven metres twice a day as the tide comes in and out. The current is fast and the water is cold.

Anyone going on the foreshore does so entirely at their own risk and must take personal responsibility for their safety and that of anyone with them. In addition to the tide and current mentioned above there are other less obvious hazards, for example raw sewage, broken glass, hypodermic needles and wash from vessels. Steps and stairs down to the foreshore can be slippery and dangerous and are not always maintained.

Before going onto the foreshore, always consider:

Wearing sensible footwear and gloves.

Carrying a mobile phone.

Not going alone.

The state of the tide; is it rising or falling?

Making sure you can get off the foreshore quickly – watch the tide and make sure that steps or stairs are close by.

Finally, be aware of the possibility of Weil’s Disease, which is spread by rats urine in the water. Infection is usually through cuts in the skin or through eyes, mouth or nose. Medical advice should be sought immediately if ill effects are experienced after visiting the foreshore, particularly ‘flu like’ symptoms, including a temperature and aching in the muscles and joints.

Why do I need consent?

All the foreshore in the UK has an owner. Metal detecting, searching or digging is not a public right and as such it needs the permission of the landowner. The PLA and the Crown Estate are the largest land owners of Thames foreshore and jointly administer a permit which allows searching or digging.

Where on the Thames foreshore can I dig or search?

The Thames foreshore permit is only valid for certain locations west of the Thames Barrier up to Teddington. Searching is not allowed east of the Thames Barrier. All searching, digging, scraping or the removal of any items is strictly prohibited at Queenhithe Dock, Brunel’s Great Eastern Slipway, Tower of London and at Greenwich Palace. (locations of these are indicated in red on the plans below)

Permanent Exclusion Zone - Palace of Westminster

No person except in an emergency can enter an area within 70 metres of the northern bank of the river Thames between Westminster Bridge and 200 metres below Lambeth Bridge. (see Foreshore Map - Middle District)

Note: Other restrictions apply. For further details see the attached Thames foreshore maps

Foreshore Map - Lower District

Foreshore Map - Middle District

Foreshore Map - Upper District

Foreshore Map - Queenhithe Dock

Foreshore Map - Greenwich Palace

Foreshore Map - Great Eastern Launchways (New)

Temporary Exclusion Zone - Duke Shore Wharf

A section of the river wall at Duke Shore Wharf in Limehouse is a failing structure and the foreshore in the area must be avoided. This exclusion area is shown below, with the exclusion zone marked in red.

Reporting finds

You must report any objects you find which could be of archaeological interest to the Portable Antiquities Scheme Finds Liaison Officer at the Museum of London on 0207 814 5733. This Scheme records all archaeological finds made by the public in England and Wales. If you believe that a find may qualify as treasure then you should contact the coroner for the district in which the object was found, usually within fourteen days of making the find. In practice many finders report treasure via the Finds Liaison Officer, which is also acceptable. The coroner or finds liaison officer will give guidance on what to do. The Treasure Act code of practice contains a directory of coroners in the Thames area.

Further advice can be found in this document - Portable Antiquities Scheme – Advice for Finders

Here is the full version of the Treasure Act 1996.

The export of archaeological objects from the UK to any destination requires a UK licence if the object is more than 50 years of age. The type of licence required will depend on where the object was found and, in some cases, the value of the object.

Group Activities on the Thames Foreshore

Anyone wishing to organise a group activity such as a walk or guided tour which does not involve any disturbance of the Thames foreshore must first apply for written permission from the Port of London Authority’s Estates Department on estates3@pla.co.uk.

If the group activity involves any disturbance of the foreshore then each participant must also have their own individual Thames Foreshore Permit in addition to the event organiser will also need permission from the Estates Department .