London's Lost Village: Mudlarking at Trinity Buoy Wharf

Join mudlarker Nicola White on the foreshore at Trinity Buoy Wharf to learn the history of the area through found objects washed up by the Thames.

Trinity Buoy Wharf was set up by the Corporation of Trinity House as a depot for storing and testing chains and buoys in 1804. Lighthouse technology was tested and lighthouse keepers trained here. The East India Docks opened in 1806, with industries and eventually a community of people arriving in their wake. In this short film Nicola will explore the area’s relationship with scientific innovation, the manufacture of plate glass and Victorian London’s criminal underworld.

Film: Fotis Begklis
Supported by: Trinity Buoy Wharf | Heritage Lottery Fund | Royal Docks Team

[charlesperez]

Ah Trinity Buoy wharf, just one of a thousands of places I’ve never heard of, and that’s the beauty of mudlarking, and just the beauty of The River, as there are places galore, windows in time, and a low tide opens the window.

[roseredm]

Nicola White brings history to life. I love how a tossed out or lost bit of everyday item brings a person from that era back to life for me.

[Theoobovril]

Well done, Nicola, and superbly narrated. Nicola White has her own dedicated Mud Larking channel, one of the best Mud Larking channels on YT.

[uschie]

Nicola is always a pleasure to listen to while she gives us snippets of past history .

[salishseaquest]

Nicola, always a pleasure to join you on the foreshore to learn more of the history of the Thames. Hoping that you kept the fresnel lens piece for one of your Thames fish. Best to you!

[matthewspencer]

I once read a book about the history of the Royal Institution (my father's idea of an improving book for small children) which said that when Humphry Davy and Michael Faraday were experimenting with oxygen-chlorine compounds, they spent a lot of time picking fragments of laboratory glassware out of each other's faces. I don't know if _that_ was Thames Glassware too? I seriously think it might have been.
I was thus forewarned, when the inorganic chemistry lecturer at Mander College (circa 1980) encouraged his students to gather round a fume cupboard while he discussed oxygen-chlorine chemistry in abstract, even boring, terms, whilst heating a large test-tube of yellowish-orange liquid over a Bunsen burner. I slowly backed off, extracted a set of ear plugs from my pocket, put them in awaited the inevitable BOOM! I was the only student NOT so mesmerised by the calm explanation of why we were about to experience a violent explosion as to be utterly shocked and surprised when it happened. The interesting thing is that the 1980s Pyrex test-tube did not shatter, but acted a bit like a transparent cannon.

[shirleynitka]

I really enjoyed this. I wish it were a longer, regular video. You have so many stories to tell & I love hearing them. Hoping you come back with more.

[lisaharner]

Thank you, Nicola for another bit of interesting history. Everything has a story! I’m glad you are able to find the fascinating history of so many items.

[HelenBeeee]

Fantastic mudlarking with Nicola and all the other wonderful people is like entering a portal of time travel into the past and exploring the everyday lives of people the places in which they inhabited and the events that occurred in them. Not to forget stories of animals, birds and creatures whose existence has been preserved in the mud.

[eleanorlaurent]

This is a GORGEOUS video 🩷 Something about the colors is absolutely mesmerizing.

[lovelyskull]

Thank you for this video. You tell a wonderful story Nicola.

[MadelineRose-epfj]

Very nice video. I live on Whidbey Island. We have our own lighthouse that has a fresnel lense. Of course, the lighthouse is no longer in use, but serves as a museum. Be of peace.😊

[andrewsheppard]

Great vid love the back story to the history. Thank you

[freddypflugbeil]

That peace of glass could be worth a lot of money Thanks for the show From New York

[daver]

What a nice video! Sorry I was not able to watch it until now.

[gregbiggs]

Sooo great just Brilliant Cheers from Mississippi

[Katseye]

This is great! And with Tideline Arts narrating it…..A+!! This was a new area to explore Nicola, I have never seen you there. This was cool. Take care!! ❤️❤️

[Nicole-pglk]

Short and sweet. Thank you Nicola. Have a great week and love from the Netherlands, Nicole.

[susancousins]

I am always thrilled to see you Nicola anywhere on the foreshores. Trinity Buoy Wharf is a nice little area and it’s history is amazing. I am glad to see you found some treasures along your way talking about this historic place. Interesting video and beautiful footage.

[mirkatu]

I really enjoyed this short film, thank you! :) <3