Regeneration has brought thousands of new homes to Slough

Slough can trace its roots back to the 12th century when it was marshlands and later as a 17th century stopping point for stagecoaches en-route to the West Country, where horses rested and the travellers took refreshment. Today is it a multicultural place to live and work, and fast trains into Paddington can take just 17 minutes.

Slough’s industrial edge first arrived with the brickmaking industry before the 19th century. It grew up as the world’s first trading estate after it was used as a dump for army surplus vehicles after the First World War. A huge number of factories then opened there before the Second World War.

Even before David Brent located his fictional office there for his iconic TV comedy series, poet John Betjeman had alluded to its ugly appearance calling for “Come, friendly bombs, and fall on Slough!” in his 1937 poem. 

Yet the town’s profile has changed greatly since the much anticipated arrival of Crossrail in 2018 bringing with it vast regeneration providing thousands of new homes. Slough Urban Renewal’s vision will transform the lives of local people, as well as the physical character of Slough, creating more opportunity and prosperity.  Considerable inward investment will help promote Slough as a desirable place to both live and work, with excellent transport links and business accommodation, as well as a skilled and available workforce.

Opening shortly, The Curve will be Slough's premier library and cultural centre housing a brand new library, café, museum, performance venue, learning rooms and computer suite. With facilities for residents, visitors and businesses, it will be a state of the art meeting place.

The Heart of Slough is the creation of a new commercial district of 70,000 square metres of new office space, a 120 bed hotel plus retain and leisure opportunities.  Much of the post-war architecture is being demolished to make way for architecturally designed public and private buildings.

There are many local parks including Black Park, a 600 acre country park that is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, a leisure centre and Slough Ice Arena where Torvill and Dean once trained, and the Race Hut and trampoline park. The Queensmere Observatory shopping centre has 126 stores, restaurants, cinema and bars.

Many primary schools are good and Slough still has the grammar school system for secondary schools. Herschel Grammar, Langley Grammar and Upton Court Grammar are oversubscribed and achieve excellent results. The Langley Academy is deemed as “good” with “outstanding” pupil behaviour by Ofsted. Private schools include Long Close School and St Bernard’s Preparatory.

A monthly season ticket to London Paddington costs £239.70 from Slough (£2,496 annually) with the fastest journey time between Slough and Paddington 17 minutes. Trains to Windsor take 6 minutes (£46.50 monthly, £484 annually); Reading takes 14 minutes on a fast train (£170.50 monthly, £1,776 annually).

Slough is 20 miles from London, 50 minutes by road. It has easy access to two junctions of the M4 and is close to the M40, M25. Heathrow is nine miles away, 15 minutes by road.

Here’s a round-up of great new homes to buy in and around Slough:

The Comptons (Inland Homes) - These three- bedroom houses feature large open-plan kitchens, family and dining rooms and are finished to a high specification throughout. Boasting garages and allocated parking the Wooburn Green development overlooks the stunning Chiltern Hills, with gardens and terraces to some properties. A choice of mainline train stations offer quick journeys to London.  Prices from £539,950. Find out more about The Comptons from Inland Homes.
Cornwall House (Romans) -  Set in a luxurious development just minutes from Slough station, this third floor apartment benefits from a spacious open-plan living room with panoramic floor to ceiling glazing, an individually designed kitchen, two double bedrooms and contemporary bathroom. Priced at £276,000. For more information visit www.romans.co.uk; 01628 564981
Milestone (Slough Urban Renewal) – A chance to become part of a thriving new community, this mix of 73 one- and two-bedroom apartments and two- and three-bedroom houses are built on the former town hall site close to the town centre. Help to Buy scheme is available to first-time buyers. Prices from £230,000. Visit www.milestone-slough.co.uk; 01753 326106
The Coppice (C Group) – An exclusive development of 30 one- and two-bedroom flats located along a tree-lined avenue adjoining the pedestrianised high street on the edge of Slough town centre with easy access to Slough’s train station, the M4 and Heathrow. The interiors have been designed by Kelly Hoppen. Prices will start from £230,000. Visit www.coppiceapartments.co.uk; 01753 331 064
Brickfield Court (C Group) – A collection of 73 one- and two-bedroom apartments with a seven-day-a-week concierge service, just a 10 minute walk to Slough Station. Most homes have private balconies or terraces, secure, onsite parking and gym with interiors designed by Kelly Hoppen. Prices from £230,000. For more details visit www.brickfieldcourt.co.uk; 01753 331 064	​​​​​​