Slough
Industrial town and administrative centre of Slough unitary authority in southern England, 32 km/20 mi west of London; population (2001) 126,300. Industries include pharmaceuticals, electronics, engineering, aviation support services, and the manufacture of chocolate, paint, and power tools.
History
Slough was a small market town until the beginning of the 20th century – even the arrival of the rail network in 1840 did not greatly boost the town's population (which was around 2,400 in 1841). However, in the 1920s the government developed the town as a trading estate, the first of its kind in England. The trading estate spanned 280 ha/692 acres, and contained around 290 factories. Slough then rapidly developed into a large residential and industrial area, gaining a borough charter in 1938. After World War II, housing estates were built in Slough to rehouse some of the London population whose homes had been destroyed by wartime bombing raids.
Features The 11th-century St Laurence's church in Upton is the oldest building in Slough. St Mary's church in Langley was built in the early 12th century, although it has since been rebuilt. The home of astronomer William Herschel is now a museum and the history of the town is recorded in Slough Museum. |
Slough
| Unitary authority in southern England, created in 1998 from part of the county of Berkshire. |
Area 32.5 sq km/12.5 sq mi |
Features the first trading estate in England was developed here in the 1920s |
Industries pharmaceuticals, electronics, engineering, aviation support services, and the manufacture of chocolate, paint, and power tools |
Population (2001) 119,100 |
Famous people astronomer William Herschel |
