Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

The Moat
Hob Uid: 1099160
Location : Greater London Authority Tower Hamlets Non Civil Parish
Grid Ref : TQ3372080460
Summary : The moat at the Tower of London was excavated between 1275 and 1281 in the reign of Edward I during the major phase of building works at the castle. It was filled with water from the River Thames at high tide. Sluice gates held the water as the river ebbed. Eventually the moat was cut off from the river and its waters became filled with refuse from the tower. In 1843 after several outbreaks of cholera the moat was drained and filled in to about the previous water level. It was used for vegetable allotments during the Second World War. The moat is now visible as a large dry grass-filled hollow, however there have been recent proposals to re-fill it.
More information :

Sources :

Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 35,62,76,91,113
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Source Number : 2
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 421
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) : 2, 1976

Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Built between 1275 and 1281
Monument End Date : 1281
Monument Start Date : 1275
Monument Type : Moat
Evidence : Earthwork

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Infilled
Monument End Date : 1843
Monument Start Date : 1843
Monument Type : Moat
Evidence : Sub Surface Deposit

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : World War II
Monument End Date : 1945
Monument Start Date : 1939
Monument Type : Allotment, Vegetable Garden
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TQ 38 SW 1504
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1960-01-01
End Date : 1960-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1963-01-01
End Date : 1964-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY
Start Date : 1995-01-01
End Date : 1995-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY
Start Date : 1996-01-01
End Date : 1996-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 2000-01-01
End Date : 2000-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 2003-01-01
End Date : 2003-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 2012-01-01
End Date : 2012-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 2013-01-01
End Date : 2013-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY
Start Date : 2014-01-01
End Date : 2014-12-31

Historic England Research Records

The Moat