Aspiring archaeologists are being given the chance to discover secret finds on the banks of the Thames by the Tower of London next weekend.

The free event will allow people to dig for Tudor pottery, medieval coins and Roman belt buckles among other gems at Tower Beach.

Coinciding with the 2013 Festival of British Archaeology, there will also be displays, talks and games from the Tower of London’s curators.

The weekend represents the only time of the year when the beach is open to the public, who are invited to engage in Tower’s rich history.

It will be held from 11am-4pm on Saturday (July 27) and Sunday (28).