Free London Listings

During the Festival of British Archaeology 2009, the City of London Archaeological Society (COLAS) presents two days of free events and activities at HM Tower of London, with a rare opportunity to visit Tower Beach.

COLAS stands include artefacts, handling collections and interpretive material, covering everything from bones and burials, through flints and pots, to shoes and coins. COLAS activities -- mainly but not exclusively for children -- include exploring a spoil heap, and dressing up as a Roman Briton. COLAS will be in ‘The Wood’ by Queen's Stairs along the path on the embankment between the moat and the river, outside the Tower walls (no admission ticket required).

During the early afternoon's low tides, Thames 21 and HM Tower of London will host ‘Fun on the Foreshore’, with access to Tower Beach – provisionally, 10:30-12:30 on Saturday, 11:15-13:15 on Sunday, weather and environmental conditions permitting. A team of environmentalists and archaeologists will be on hand to answer your questions and identify your finds. Sturdy footwear is recommended, a plastic bag and wet wipes may come in handy, and metal detectors are strictly prohibited!

The Festival of British Archaeology is a nationwide annual celebration of archaeology in action, coordinated by the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) and its Young Archaeologists' Club, with activities at museums and heritage centres all over the country; visit http://www.archaeologyfestival.org.uk for more information.