Slough Station, Berkshire
Slough Station is a major railway station located in the town of Slough, in the county of Berkshire. Serving as an important commuter hub, it provides direct access to central London and other key destinations via the Elizabeth Line. This station plays a crucial role for both local residents and travellers heading to or from the west of England.
Historical Background
Slough Station was originally opened on 4 June 1838 by the Great Western Railway. At the time, it formed part of the pioneering railway route from Paddington to Maidenhead, which was engineered by the famed Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The station has undergone several renovations since its inception, most notably for its integration into the Elizabeth Line.
The station has always borne the name "Slough," derived from the town itself. The name is believed to originate from the Old English word "slōh", meaning a muddy or marshy place—likely describing the area's historic landscape.
Location and Access Points
Slough Station is situated on Brunel Way, just off Wellington Street (B416), a short walk from the heart of Slough town centre. The main entrance is housed in a modern ground-level building, which also includes a ticket office, retail outlets, and a waiting area for passengers. Additional exits provide access to nearby bus stops and taxi ranks, enhancing its connectivity.
Distance from Charing Cross
By road, Slough Station lies approximately 22 miles (35 kilometres) west of Charing Cross, one of the key reference points for measuring distances to and from London.
Rail Services at Slough Station
Elizabeth Line
Slough is served by the Elizabeth Line, which connects Reading in the west to Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east via central London. The preceding station to Slough heading west is Burnham, while the next station eastbound is Langley. The Elizabeth Line has dramatically improved east–west connectivity through London, offering direct, high-frequency trains into the City and beyond.
National Rail Services
In addition to the Elizabeth Line, Slough Station is also served by Great Western Railway (GWR), which operates services between London Paddington and destinations including Oxford, Didcot Parkway, and Bristol. Some long-distance services stop at Slough during peak hours, providing wider rail access across southern England.
London Underground
Although Slough is not served directly by the London Underground, passengers can connect to the Underground at Paddington, which is accessible from Slough via the Elizabeth Line or GWR. From Paddington, passengers can transfer to several Underground lines including the Bakerloo Line, Circle Line, District Line, and Hammersmith & City Line. For a full overview, see London Underground Stations.
Fares and Journey Times
Slough to Reading Station
- Single ticket: £6.90
- Oyster/contactless: £5.80 (off-peak), £6.90 (peak)
- Estimated journey time: 15 minutes
Slough to Abbey Wood Station
- Single ticket: £14.90
- Oyster/contactless: £12.60 (off-peak), £14.90 (peak)
- Estimated journey time: 59 minutes
Slough to Charing Cross Station
- Single ticket: £14.60
- Oyster/contactless: £12.30 (off-peak), £14.60 (peak)
- Route: Elizabeth Line to Paddington, then Bakerloo Line to Embankment, short walk to Charing Cross
- Estimated journey time: 55–60 minutes depending on transfer times
Fun Fact
Slough Station is famously featured in literature and media. It appears in the Sherlock Holmes story "The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans" and has a cameo in episodes of "The Office" (UK), which is set in Slough. Interestingly, Slough once had a dedicated platform for royal trains servicing Windsor Castle, reflecting its historic importance in royal logistics.
Quick Facts
- Opened: 1838
- Location: Brunel Way, Slough, Berkshire
- Main Rail Services: Elizabeth Line, Great Western Railway
- Underground Access: Indirect via Paddington
- Distance from Charing Cross: Approx. 22 miles (35 km) by road
- Elizabeth Line Travel Times: 15 mins to Reading, 59 mins to Abbey Wood
- Fares to Reading: £6.90 (single), £5.80–£6.90 (Oyster/contactless)
- Fares to Abbey Wood: £14.90 (single), £12.60–£14.90 (Oyster/contactless)
- Fares to Charing Cross: £14.60 (single), £12.30–£14.60 (Oyster/contactless)
- Fun Fact: Featured in Sherlock Holmes and "The Office" UK TV series
Slough Station is 
on the Map of Berkshire Underground
Painting of Slough Station, Berkshire (View image in full size)
Page Details
This page was created on 29 May 2025. Hi, my name is Timothy and created it from my research, for my own entertainment, knowledge and to satisfy my curiosity. I am providing the information to you in good faith and hope it is useful. I try to get the details as accurate as possible. I also try to update the page whenever I stumble on new details. So this and all my other pages are perpetual work in progress. If you discover any error, please politely inform me, pointing out where the error lies, and I will correct it as soon as possible. Your helpfulness will keep this page accurate, relevant and helpful to those who need the information.Want to share your London travel experiences or get tips from fellow travellers?
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