Description
The Pynchester Moat site has remains of the dried up moat of a medieval farmhouse in a bend of the River Pinn, which fed the moat, now in woodland surrounded with railings. A dig by Uxbridge Archaeological Group in 1966-9 revealed the foundations of the medieval farmhouse here. The Harefield Enclosure Map of 1813 shows the site as part of Farley's Mead belonging to the Brackenbury Estate from 1602-1792 and later it was awarded to Uxbridge in compensation for loss of grazing rights.
Practical Information
| Site location | Swakeleys Road, access from Copthall Road East/West through woods, Ickenham |
|---|---|
| Postcode | UB10 |
| What3Words | ///brief.scary.lists |
| Type of Site | Garden Feature Remnants |
| Borough | Hillingdon |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | none |
| Public Transport | Rail/Tube: West Ruislip (Central) then bus. Bus: U1. |
| Research Updated | 1 November 2005 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
A Pynchester Ferme is referred to in a deed of 1531 as part of property owned by Swakeleys Estate (q.v.) though it is not known if that is the moated site here.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ073866 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | LB Hillingdon |
| Site Management | Green Spaces Team |
| Listed Structures | SAM: Pynchester Moat |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Hillingdon |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | Yes |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
The village of Ickenham dates from at least the time of the Domesday Survey and St Giles Church has remnants of the medieval building. There are fine monuments in the church, and the churchyard has some good C18th table-tombs including a railed tomb surmounted with an urn. The flagstaff near the church was erected for King George V's Silver Jubilee and has a stone base with carving depicting trees.
The public park includes Swakeleys Lake, originally a formal canal within the grounds of the C17th Swakeleys House, now serpentine. The house remains in private ownership and remnants of the earlier landscape remain in its grounds, while the land to the west of the lake and east of the River Pinn is publicly accessible. There are fine trees and a grassy path on the east side of the lake, which provides views of the house, dovecotes and entrance gates. The lake has wooded edges and is well-populated by wild fowl.
Harefield Place was built as Harefield Lodge in 1786 for Sir Roger Newdigate. John Newdigate had become Lord of Harefield Manor during the reign of Henry VIII and the family remained in possession of the estate until the C20th. Most of the grounds were sold in the 1930s and developed for housing, part now forming Uxbridge Golf Course, and Harefield Place became a hospital in 1934, later used for offices. There are some remnants of the earlier landscaping near the house.