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Mudlarking & Thames Foreshore Risk Assessment — Generated Instantly for £29
Describe your search — solo mudlarking, a guided walk or a club outing, and which stretch of foreshore. We generate a fully written, UK-compliant risk assessment covering tidal danger, PLA permit conditions and finds reporting, in minutes.
Used by PLA permit holders, mudlarking guides and history groups along the Thames
🌊 Leading a guided walk or club outing? Mention group size and your stretch of foreshore, and we'll build a single assessment covering tide timings, supervision and PLA permit conditions — not just a generic riverbank warning.
Legal requirements for mudlarking on the Thames foreshore
Anyone searching, digging or scraping the tidal Thames foreshore between Teddington and the Thames Barrier needs a Port of London Authority (PLA) Foreshore Permit, and permit holders agree to the PLA's Code of Practice covering safe and sustainable searching. The scheme was revised alongside the Crown Estate, Historic England and the London Museum, and conditions can change, so current permit terms should always be checked before organising a search.
The Thames is a genuinely dangerous environment: the tide can rise and fall by over seven metres twice a day, the current is fast, and the water is cold year-round — the PLA is explicit that anyone on the foreshore does so at their own risk and must take personal responsibility for their safety. A written risk assessment covering tide timings, exit points and supervision is expected for any organised walk or club outing.
Under the Treasure Act 1996, finds that may qualify as treasure must be reported to the local coroner within 14 days, and other archaeological finds should be recorded through the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) — both referenced in PLA permit conditions. A written risk assessment covering these areas, alongside biological hazards and unstable ground, is expected by permit administrators, insurers and landowners.
How it works
1. Describe your search
Tell us whether it's solo mudlarking, a guided walk or a club outing, your stretch of foreshore, and group size. See our guide on whether you need one.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant mudlarking risk assessment covering tidal danger, PLA permit conditions and finds reporting where relevant to your search.
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and Word. Use it for PLA permit conditions, guided walk paperwork or your own club's safety file. £29, no subscription.
What it covers
Every mudlarking risk assessment is written in full — covering the hazards specific to your stretch of foreshore and group.
PLA Foreshore Permit conditions and Code of Practice
Tidal danger — timings, exit points and turnaround
Fast current and cold water immersion risk
Treasure Act 1996 and PAS finds reporting
Leptospirosis (Weil's disease) from river mud and water
Cuts from glass, metal and buried sharps
Unstable river walls, slipways and old groynes
Slippery stairs and steep foreshore access points
Lone working and isolated stretches of riverbank
Weather exposure and cold on open foreshore
Group supervision, headcounts and briefing for guided walks
Manual handling — digging tools and sieving equipment
Public liability cover for guided walks and club outings
Hand hygiene and first aid provision
Works for
From solo permit holders to guided history walks, Anyrisks covers every type of organised foreshore search.
What customers say
"I run guided mudlarking walks and needed something that actually addressed the tide properly, not a one-line warning. This covered exit points and turnaround times exactly as the PLA expects."
Rosalind Vance
Mudlarking guide, London
"Our history society takes members down to the foreshore twice a year. This was the first template that covered supervision and headcounts alongside the tidal risk."
Owen Faircloth
Chair, local history society, Greenwich
"My PLA permit renewal asked what safety measures I follow. This gave me a proper written document covering the tide, Weil's disease and finds reporting."
Priya Nandan
Permit holder, mudlark, Rotherhithe
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers tidal danger, permits and finds reporting together | ✓ | ✗ |
| PLA Foreshore Permit conditions referenced correctly | ✓ | ✗ |
| Treasure Act and PAS reporting included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Biological hazards (Weil's disease, sharps) specified | ✓ | ✗ |
| Suitable for guided walk and club insurance sign-off | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently asked questions
Does this cover the PLA Foreshore Permit requirements?
Yes — the assessment references the Port of London Authority's Foreshore Permit scheme and Code of Practice, including the terms permit holders agree to when searching, digging or scraping the tidal Thames foreshore.
Does it cover the tidal danger properly, not just as a generic warning?
Yes — the Thames can rise and fall by over seven metres twice a day, and the assessment covers checking tide tables before descending, agreed exit points and turnaround times, not a one-line 'mind the tide' note.
Does it cover Weil's disease and cuts from broken glass?
Yes — leptospirosis (Weil's disease) from contact with river mud and water, along with cuts from glass, metal and other sharps buried in the foreshore, are covered with the relevant hygiene, footwear and first aid controls.
Does it reference the Treasure Act and finds reporting?
Yes — the assessment covers the Treasure Act 1996 reporting duty to the local coroner, and recording non-treasure finds through the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), in line with PLA permit conditions.
Is this suitable for group mudlarking walks and guided tours?
Yes — describe group size and whether it's a guided walk, club outing or solo search, and the assessment will include supervision, headcounts and briefing points needed for organised groups on the foreshore.
Does it cover unstable riverbank structures and slipways?
Yes — collapsing river walls, slippery stairs, old wooden groynes and uneven ballast are addressed alongside the general foreshore terrain hazards.
Is this suitable for PLA permit applications and club insurance?
Yes — the assessment is written in full, referencing the specific hazards and controls, in the format expected for PLA permit conditions and club public liability insurance.
How long does it take to generate?
Under 2 minutes. Describe your stretch of foreshore, group size and activity, and Anyrisks produces a complete, regulation-referenced mudlarking risk assessment instantly.
Also see: The ultimate guide to risk assessment · Do I need a risk assessment? · Risk assessment legal requirements · Metal detecting risk assessment