Thames Foreshore Permits

Anyone wishing to search the tidal Thames foreshore from Richmond Lock to Thames Barrier in any way for any reason must hold a current foreshore permit from the Port of London Authority.

Searching includes all such activities including searching or ‘scraping’.

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.

Please note that currently we are only accepting permit applications from those who have directly received an invitation.  If you have not received an invitation by email to secure a Foreshore Permit, any application will be rejected.

Permit

The PLA issues a standard permit, which allows digging to a depth of 7.5 cm.  A Digging Permit is available to members of the Society of Thames Mudlarks and information on how to apply for membership is available on the relevant page of the PLA website.

Please note:  On expiry of your Foreshore Permit, you will need to re-register through the website.

There are new Terms & Conditions applicable to Standard Permits and a Code of Conduct, which must be read before going onto the foreshore:

• Standard T&C.pdf 
• Code of Conduct.pdf

In particular, the permit is issued for personal enjoyment only and not for financial gain.

Fees

Permit fees are reviewed annually.

Fees for 2026

• Standard £42 (valid for one year from date granted)

Safety

The Thames foreshore is a potentially hazardous environment which must be respected and contains 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,  other less obvious hazards can be encountered including 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, so due care and caution must be exercised when going to or leaving the foreshore.

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?  Details of tide times is available from the PLA website - https://www.pla.co.uk/Hydrography/Tidal-Information.
• 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.

Reporting finds

You must report any and all objects you find which could be of archaeological interest to the Portable Antiquities Scheme Finds Liaison Officer at the Museum of London (swyatt@museumoflondon.org.uk) or 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.

Holders of Standard Permits are reminded that the sale of items found on the foreshore, whether in their original form or modified in any way, is prohibited under the Terms and Conditions on which the permit is issued.

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.

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 issue a permit, which is administered by the PLA allowing searching or digging.

Where on the Thames foreshore can I dig or search?

Permits issued by the PLA are only valid for certain locations west of the Thames Barrier upstream to Richmond Lock.  They are not valid east of the Thames Barrier and no searching/digging is allowed on the foreshore of the River Thames east of this point.  

A new GIS based map of where Standard Permit holders may search the foreshore, which includes all the relevant restrictions included in the most recent issue of the Terms and Conditions associated with the Standard Permit, is available from this link (details of the restrictions are available from the ‘Legend’ tab) –

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/e7a1986e58d8446388d1a6e4e04fa2a6/

Can I magnet fish in the tidal Thames?

Magnet fishing in the tidal Thames is not allowed, even with a Foreshore Permit.  This is because of potential hazards to navigation, the environment and the safety of individuals involved and other river users.

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 via Foreshore.Permits@pla.co.uk.

If the group activity involves any disturbance of the foreshore, this needs to be specified in the application.