A Mudlarking Year

For over two decades, Lara Maiklem has scoured the banks of the tidal Thames looking for objects - lost or discarded - that tell forgotten stories. In this charming sequel to the bestselling Mudlarking, Lara reflects on life lived post-pandemic, widens her search beyond the river and reminds us that it's possible to draw meaning in the most unlikely of places. As she slowly searches the foreshore through the changing seasons, she is at times aided by the gentle illumination of the falling winter sun or hindered by bright summer skies and lashing rain. Yet, by working in harmony with the unpredictable terrain, she finds solace in aligning with the elements and uncovering the treasures that are bestowed by the tide. From medieval pilgrim badges, Tudor love tokens, Georgian wig curlers and Victorian pottery, each passing day unearths ordinary and extraordinary objects that tell the rich story of London's past and its inhabitants. A Mudlarking Year is a gentle ode to nature, history and the simple art of looking. Guided by Lara's curiosity, warmth and wisdom, it is your invitation to discover hidden objects in the most overlooked part of the city, the secrets they reveal and the stories that are patiently waiting to be told.