Slough

What is Slough Like? 

Perhaps best known as the setting of Ricky Gervais’ The Office, Slough is an often-overlooked gem in Berkshire. Close enough to London for commuters. the town itself is undergoing massive regeneration, with investments in shopping centres, libraries, and offices. Slough has even been named the best UK town to get a job with above-average wages and plenty of vacancies, making it a worthy place to make a home in its own right. 

Slough is a favourite of international travellers too, thanks to the proximity of Heathrow Airport. The airport is naturally a major employer in the area, as well as the hospitality industry that supports it. Plenty of businesses have made their home in the Slough Trading Estate made famous by The Office, from Mars Confectionary, Centrica PLC, O2, and even Ferrari. 

Slough also benefits from a number of green spaces and enjoys two major theme parks within easy reach. Coupled with the excellent schools, and that makes Slough a fantastic choice for those raising a family. 

There’s almost too much to Slough to list here, but some of the highlights include: 

• Green spaces abound in Slough, including Black Park and Langley Park, which are perfect for adults and children alike. 
• Slough benefits from having two theme parks on its doorstep, so you’ll have your pick of LEGOLAND and Thorpe Park when it comes to entertaining the kids. 
• The Curve is a modern and stylish facility that serves as library, museum, gallery, and entertainment venue all in one. 

Bars, Restaurants and Nightlife 

Slough is blessed with a wide variety of places to eat, drink, and have a good time. 

When you’re ready for a drink, visit The Kings Head. Residents rave about the friendly and welcoming service. There’s a fantastic menu for those looking for something to eat, including popular signature dishes and excellent Sunday roasts! There’s also a huge range of beers, wines, and spirits on offer. 

Fans of Italian food should visit New Bettola, which promises authentic and fresh food cooked to order. Food is prepared with locally-sourced ingredients and breads and cakes are baked on site. With pizzas, pastas, and Italian classics on the menu, there’s plenty of choice to prompt a return visit. 

Family-run Panjab Restaurant is a must-visit for anyone who enjoys Indian food. The family transformed an old Post Office building into a cosy restaurant that takes Panjabi traditions and offers classic dishes as well as creating new twists that result in something special. The staff are friendly and welcoming, and the owner’s enthusiasm for good food and warm welcomes makes your visit an experience to remember. 

The Old Five Bells is a fantastic combination of British Pub with quality food. Whether you’re craving a vegan Beyond Burger, a confit Gressingham duck leg, or a fillet of beef burger, there’s plenty to dig into. Smaller plates are available for lighter diners or to accompany a good drink, of which there is plenty of choice, with beers, wines, and spirits aplenty. 

And the Curve is more than just a library. It also provides Slough residents with a 280-seat venue which regularly hosts band and comedy nights, as well as shows and film nights. Warmer weather sees performances spill out into the square, with outdoor performances.  

Leisure Centres and Outdoor Activities 

There are plenty of places to go in Slough when you want to get active. 

The Centre is a well-equipped facility that’s perfect for exercise. The gym is packed with 115 stations of state-of-the-art equipment, while the fitness studios host classes suitable for everyone. Swimmers will love the 8-lane, 25-metre pool, and there’s a separate training pool too. The sports hall boasts LED flooring to adaptively create courts for anything from badminton to basketball, volleyball to five-a-side football. The centre even hosts a sauna and a steam room for unwinding after an active session. 

Slough Ice Arena is more than just ice. The arena is open for everyone, whether it’s your first time pulling on skates or you’re a seasoned skater. But it also features a well-equipped gym with plenty of modern equipment suitable to losing weight or building strength. There’s even a climbing wall, so there’s plenty to do no matter what your interest is. 

Golfers will love Wexham Park Golf Centre if only because of the choice of two courses! The Blue Course is perfect for players of all abilities, offering 18 holes in an oasis of parkland that’s lined with beautiful trees and filled with plenty of water hazards. The Green Course is shorter than the Blue, with 9 holes set into undulating greens and wide fairways that challenge the player to make a full range of shots while being short enough to welcome new golfers into the game and the club too. 

Find out more about Slough in our article on living in Slough.

History of Slough

Slough has a rich and fascinating history, developing over the last century into an economic powerhouse and the most ethnically diverse region in the UK outside of the capital.

With 96 listed buildings, Slough’s cultural heritage reaches from the 900-year-old St Laurence’s Church in Upton, to St Mary’s Church in Langley which was built in the late 11th or 12th century. It is also home to many decadent country houses.

The town’s original purpose was to provide coaches travelling between London and Bath with a stopping-off point, remaining this way until the advent of the modern railway infrastructure in the 1800s. It quickly flourished and expanded due to its location and transportation links.

In 1920 the Slough Trading Estate was established, becoming one of the first business parks in the UK. It is now the largest in Europe with almost 500 acres of commercial property.