Discover the secrets of archaeology

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Tower of London Archaeology Weekend, Riverside Wharf

Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 May 2012

11.00 - 16.00 (foreshore open according to tides, see below)

Come down to the historic stretch of the Thames by the infamous Traitors Gate for a free, fun weekend of archaeology activities and maybe even try your hand at being an archaeologist on the Tower's river foreshore (no booking required).

This is the only time of the year that the foreshore of the Thames outside the Tower of London is open to the public – a chance to discover what has been thrown away or lost from the Tower over the last 900 years. Previous finds have included Roman roof tiles and Tudor coins.

With stalls from the City of London Archaeological Society, the Historic Royal Palaces Conservators, the Thames Discovery Programme and the Port of London Authority, you can discover the secrets of archaeology, the Tower and the river Thames in fun displays and activities.

You could also get the chance to go down onto the Tower's river foreshore and take part in surface-level archaeology, seeing what you can uncover as you get 'hands on'!

The foreshore will be open at the following times (subject to the tides/safety): Saturday 26 May: 11.00 – 12.30 approx; Sunday 27 May: 11.00 – 13.00 approx. Access is on a first-come, first-served basis, and numbers will be restricted to no more than 500, with actual number depending upon safety advice. Only surface-level archaeology is permitted but metal detectors are not permitted and any significant finds must be recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

Wear sensible shoes if you plan to go onto the foreshore (Tower Beach). Access to the foreshore is via stairs (approximately 20 steps), which unfortunately means that for people with mobility difficulties, access to this is limited, although all activities on the Wharf are accessible.