Cippenham Moat

Cippenham Moat is a medieval royal palace site in Slough where a rectangular earthwork contains visible moat sections. The remains date to the 13th century and preserve the original layout that once surrounded a timber structure.

King Henry III founded this palace in the 13th century, and it later became a residence for Richard, Earl of Cornwall. Richard added a deer park nearby, expanding the royal property into a more elaborate estate.

The moat served as a symbol of status and power for medieval nobility who lived here. Today, the earthwork pattern shows how such water defenses reflected the importance of those who ruled from this spot.

The site sits near the M4 motorway, making it fairly easy to access from the surrounding area. Visitors can walk around the earthwork to see how the moat sections connect and form the original medieval pattern.

The site vanished from regional maps after 1575 and was only rediscovered by farmers during the Victorian era. This long gap in historical records makes it a striking example of how royal properties can fade from memory.

GPS coordinates: 51.50890,-0.62960

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:41