Mudlarking

A fine day and a low tide, and Tom and I are off Mudlarking on the foreshore of the River Thames. Armed with wellies, trowels and a bucket, we're in our element, sifting through pebbles and bones to find our treasure. There are pipe stems and plain pipe bowls in abundance (ranging in age from Tudor to Victorian) but we really want to find a decorated pipe bowl and they can be found. We meet a man who has just unearthed the most stunning pipe bowl decorated with cherubs and a portcullis. We ooh and ahh in envy, but we don't find one as fine as his, not today.

The ultimate prize find would be a river token, similar to a coin, and used from Roman times in payment for a trip across the Thames.

Forty minutes of light scavenging and we're more than happy with our haul. Over 30 pipe bowls, more pipe stems than you could possibly want, or carry, and a number of bits of ancient pottery.

The best free entertainment in London, we reckon, and a fantastic connection with the past.