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Slough probably takes
its unusual name from the slough or muddy land between Upton-cum-Chavley
and Eton.
The town's main industry before
1800 was brickmaking and Eton College was constructed from
Slough bricks.
The town developed over the years
by incorporating many settlements along the Great West Road
(between London and Bath and Bristol). Inns and pubs quickly
developed along the road to serve the coach trade.
Slough's population grew still
further after the railway arrived in Slough in 1840. In 1842
Queen Victoria made her first ever railway journey between
Slough and Bishop's Bridge, near Paddington. Soon after a
branch line was opened between Slough and Windsor and Eton
Central to make rail travel more convenient for the Queen.
Following World War I, the boggy
area west of the town was developed to form the UK's first
trading estate. With its excellent transport links and proximity
to Heathrow Airport, the Slough Trading Estate has made the
town one of the most important trading centres in the South-East
of England, and made famous as the setting for "The
Office".
After World War II large housing
estates were built at Slough to accomodate the Londoners who
had lost their homes in bombing raids. Today Slough is home
to the main campus of Thames Valley University. The ambitious
new 'Heart of Slough' project aims to make the town a national
and European centre for creative media, information and communication
industries.
The
Slough Museum in the High Street is an attraction celebrates
the past, present and future of the town.
One of Slough's most famous
residents was the astronomer, William Herschel (1738 - 1822).
Herschel and his sister Caroline created the first true map
of the universe at his house in Windsor Road, Slough. The
astronomer is buried at St Laurence's Church, Upton. In this
900 year old building are a series of recently installed stained-glass
windows commemorating Herschel's work.
Another famous person associated
with the town is Gerry Anderson. In the 1960s his 'Supermarionation'
company was based in Slough and the Thunderbirds series was
filmed there.
Nearby attractions include Eton
College and the National Trust's Dorneywood
Garden at Burnham. Dorneywood Garden is a 1930s-style
kitchen and cottage garden with fine herbaceous borders and
displays of roses. The property is open on four days only
a year by written permission only - Dorneywood House is the
official residence of a Secretary of State and not open to
the public.
French Brothers Ltd, at Clewer
Boathouse, Windsor, 2 miles from Slough, provide trips on
the River Thames for tourists.
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Slough
