Woking Palace moated site, fishponds and ruins at Oldhall Copse, archaeological site in Old Woking, Surrey, England, UK
Woking Palace is a medieval site with water-filled moats, fishponds, and building ruins set within a wooded area near Old Woking. The remains show how a royal residence was laid out, with extensive water systems still visible across the landscape today.
The site started as a manor house in the 13th century and was expanded into a grand royal residence during Henry VII's reign. It served successive monarchs as a retreat until it was eventually abandoned and left to decline.
The site shows how water was both a status symbol and practical necessity for a royal household in medieval times. The surviving ponds and channels reveal what daily life required at a royal retreat.
The grounds are accessible via public footpaths, though some areas are restricted to protect ongoing archaeological work. Visitors should be prepared for uneven terrain and wet ground around the water channels.
The fishponds were an advanced method of storing fresh fish, a technology that fed the king and court without modern refrigeration. Such systems show how medieval engineers turned natural features to their advantage.
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