• The best way to begin is to join a foreshore taster tour led by an experienced archaeologist. Registered charity the Thames Explorer Trust (thames-explorer.org.uk) has been running ethical guided experiences for 30 years.
• You will need walking or wellington boots and it’s a good idea to protect your hands with environmentally friendly disposable gloves as waterborne diseases from animal urine can be a problem, as well as sewage. A bucket and kneepads will also be useful.