Mudlarking

[@Dismal_Wizard]

I’ve got two/three (ish) permissions, which for one reason or another are just not viable right now (crops, livestock, rock-hard ground.)

The town I live near has a tidal estuary, where it is possible to walk at low tide in some areas. I have checked the Crown Estate Foreshore map and the entire stretch of the river as it passes the town is owned by the Crown Estate. I’m thinking about going down there at low tide for a snout around.

There has been a port there for hundreds of years, if not thousands.

I have emailed Gary Thompson to check if he thinks there are any issues (other than the inherent dangers of exploring a stretch of tidal landscape) and wondered if anyone on here had any thoughts, or experience or even advice on the matter?

I’m currently reading Lara Maiklem’s excellent book about the Thames, and thought ‘why not my river?’ Also, I must have requested ‘permission to detect’ on roughly fifteen local farms (by email) recently. Two responded with ‘no,’ the rest didn’t bother.

Mudlarking seems like an ideal solution.

[Dave The Slave]

Be careful of getting swallowed by the mud. Have someone with you, fully charged phone.
Rising tides can come in quick, cutting off your escape route.
Be aware of what`s buried in the mud.
Stay safe, stay alert.
Dave.

[fred]

Norfolk estuaries seem to have far more mud than is good for them. And if it's Kings Lynn be carefull because it is both dangerous and prohibited.

[@Dismal_Wizard]

Norfolk estuaries seem to have far more mud than is good for them. And if it's Kings Lynn be carefull because it is both dangerous and prohibited.

Is it? I’ve not been able to find any info? Please elaborate?

[Koala]

I haven't checked or read all the documents. I leave that up to you as its not my neck of the woods

The wash is a big area and suspect it will come under several bodies.

but this is from the crown estate


On occasions third parties, including lessees and licensees of The Crown Estate, may restrict metal detecting on Crown Estate land. If the foreshore is within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) then the relevant authority may object to certain activities, and so access may be restricted. We expect detectorists searching on our foreshore to be sensitive to environmental designations and if necessary obtain any additional consent’s. The relevant authority will be Natural England, Natural Resources Wales or the Northern Ireland Environment Agency




https://wwrg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/ ... Tagged.pdf



Metal-detecting is not permitted on some Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) without the permission of Natural England.
Metal-detecting is also restricted on some land under agri-environment schemes; there are different rules for different schemes (in addition to the restrictions on Scheduled Monuments and SSSIs).



I looks like a minefield and some serious research needed before ploughing ahead


I don't want to commit yes or no. Without some further investigation.

[@Dismal_Wizard]

I haven't checked or read all the documents. I leave that up to you as its not my neck of the woods

The wash is a big area and suspect it will come under several bodies.

but this is from the crown estate


On occasions third parties, including lessees and licensees of The Crown Estate, may restrict metal detecting on Crown Estate land. If the foreshore is within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) then the relevant authority may object to certain activities, and so access may be restricted. We expect detectorists searching on our foreshore to be sensitive to environmental designations and if necessary obtain any additional consent’s. The relevant authority will be Natural England, Natural Resources Wales or the Northern Ireland Environment Agency




https://wwrg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/ ... Tagged.pdf



Metal-detecting is not permitted on some Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) without the permission of Natural England.
Metal-detecting is also restricted on some land under agri-environment schemes; there are different rules for different schemes (in addition to the restrictions on Scheduled Monuments and SSSIs).



I looks like a minefield and some serious research needed before ploughing ahead


I don't want to commit yes or no. Without some further investigation.

With all due respect, and not wishing to sound rude, I am aware the Wash is a NNR (it doesn’t extend inland to King’s Lynn, and what SSSIs and MCZs are; I’ve lived here for over forty years, I’ve looked at Defra’s magic map, the Crown Foreshore Map and spent a good half day looking on the internet for anything that might lead me to believe I cannot mudlark. Incidentally, I went down to the Ouse yesterday, and walked along the riverfront. There was no signage anywhere discouraging such activity — only footprints on the bankside leading out into the river where other people had gone at a previous lowtide.

However, I’m still waiting for an email response to my query and am not about to wade in without some decent wellies!

[Koala]

I haven't checked or read all the documents. I leave that up to you as its not my neck of the woods

The wash is a big area and suspect it will come under several bodies.

but this is from the crown estate


On occasions third parties, including lessees and licensees of The Crown Estate, may restrict metal detecting on Crown Estate land. If the foreshore is within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) then the relevant authority may object to certain activities, and so access may be restricted. We expect detectorists searching on our foreshore to be sensitive to environmental designations and if necessary obtain any additional consent’s. The relevant authority will be Natural England, Natural Resources Wales or the Northern Ireland Environment Agency




https://wwrg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/ ... Tagged.pdf



Metal-detecting is not permitted on some Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) without the permission of Natural England.
Metal-detecting is also restricted on some land under agri-environment schemes; there are different rules for different schemes (in addition to the restrictions on Scheduled Monuments and SSSIs).



I looks like a minefield and some serious research needed before ploughing ahead


I don't want to commit yes or no. Without some further investigation.

With all due respect, and not wishing to sound rude, I am aware the Wash is a NNR (it doesn’t extend inland to King’s Lynn, and what SSSIs and MCZs are; I’ve lived here for over forty years, I’ve looked at Defra’s magic map, the Crown Foreshore Map and spent a good half day looking on the internet for anything that might lead me to believe I cannot mudlark. Incidentally, I went down to the Ouse yesterday, and walked along the riverfront. There was no signage anywhere discouraging such activity — only footprints on the bankside leading out into the river where other people had gone at a previous lowtide.

However, I’m still waiting for an email response to my query and am not about to wade in without some decent wellies!

I certainly did want to put you off.

Not sure where signage comes into it. I haven't seen a field yet that says I cant detect it ?

Just you have to be careful,

Is it not under the control of the environment agency ?

The mooring are run by the council.

[fred]

I have definitely seen something about access onto the foreshore being restricted but where and when that was I really can't remember. My connection with the area also goes back over 40 years so it might well be historical, i.e. from before the frontage was done up. I'll try and have another shufti when I'm next up there, which hopefully will be faily soon.

In my opinion most of the area is far too muddy or dangerous for successful mudlarking although there are some firmer looking areas between the ferry and the harbour.

Best of luck if you decide to go for it.

[@Dismal_Wizard]

I have definitely seen something about access onto the foreshore being restricted but where and when that was I really can't remember. My connection with the area also goes back over 40 years so it might well be historical, i.e. from before the frontage was done up. I'll try and have another shufti when I'm next up there, which hopefully will be faily soon.

In my opinion most of the area is far too muddy or dangerous for successful mudlarking although there are some firmer looking areas between the ferry and the harbour.

Best of luck if you decide to go for it.

Yes my thought too was the area by the ferry, I’ve seen photos of children playing there, and people on the sand off the duck boards. I agree — the rest is very muddy. I wouldn’t want to get stuck!

Though I am wondering if it would really be worth the hassle, after all. I currently have nowhere to detect, and my ATPro isn’t great on the beach — although I haven’t tried my new DeTech Ult13” cool on it yet. Maybe I’ll just have to wait, till I get somewhere else to go. I’ve been furloughed for nearly 10 weeks now. I was just hoping to get out!

Anyway, appreciate all the input guys.

Hope you’re all having more success than I...

[Koala]

http://wnklas.greyhawk.org.uk/main.php? ... eshore.htm

[Saffron]

Did not answer where you can / can not detect but a very interesing read.

Evan

[Koala]

they are certainly the people who do know

[Saffron]

I am sure that they would

I have just been looking at the site in more detail and is a good site and I suggest anybody in the West Norfolk / Kings Lynn area has a good read of it.

I had an enjoyable read of the item on King John's Treasure - now that would be a good detecting find

It was really good to see how Archeologists and detectorists worked together, and I will highlight this single sentence "It also showed how professional and amateurs could work together and how archaeologists working with detectorists could gain a lot of information about a site in a very short period of time."

That is the way it should be, just a shame it is not always the case.

Evan

[@Dismal_Wizard]

http://wnklas.greyhawk.org.uk/main.php? ... eshore.htm

I shall have a read of this later, with a mug of tea

[fred]

Very interesting read.