account arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right closecontact-us emailFacebookheart instagramjoin linkedin phonepinterestplaysearch twitteryoutube

Slough Basin, Grand Union Canal – Slough Arm

Accessible to all craft on the connected inland waterways

Silver Propeller Challenge

Location

Slough

Visit Slough Basin on the Grand Union Canal, Slough Arm by boat or canoe.

Despite the surprisingly rural nature of the canal, the Slough Arm is infrequently visited so the terminus basin has been chosen as a Silver Propeller Location. A photo of your boat at the end of the Slough Arm will be a good proof of your visit.

Complete our challenge by visiting 20 locations from our list, you will receive our exclusive plaque and goody bag.

About the Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal

A branch from the Grand Junction Canal at Bulls Bridge to Slough was first proposed in 1878 but the route was altered slightly after a survey in 1879, moving the junction to Cowley Peachey.  The canal opened in 1882 having required major earthworks at Iver.  It is 5 miles long without locks and has 5 aqueducts.

The canal was used to transport bricks from the various Slough brickworks.  It also catalysed the establishment of various sand, brick and gravel wharfs along the line.  The existing brickworks expanded their production and transported bricks to many parts of London.  Traffic on the canal grew rapidly and reached a peak in 1905 when over 192,000 tons were carried. The Brick and Gravel trade continued throughout the 1920s and 1930s and also through the Second World War Years but, by then, the clay and gravel deposits were becoming worked out. Traffic of waste from London to infill the redundant pits continued for a while as did the delivery of timber to Slough Wharf.  The last recorded commercial cargo was delivered in March 1960.

With no future seen for the canal, Slough Council proposed filling it in for an access road to a new Industrial Estate.  Vigorous campaigning by the Slough Canal Group supported by the Slough Observer saw the canal being improved and leisure traffic encouraged in the 1970s.  There have been several proposals to make a connection from the terminus to the River Thames as there is only 2 miles separating the two navigations.

[Photo: Gathering of boats on the Slough Arm  –  by Lucy Smith]

 

Notes for Visitors

Location

Postcode: SL2 5AR

What3Words /// bolt.boat.tried

Boat Dimensions

The maximum size of boat that can navigate the Slough Arm is:-

  • Length: 72′ (21.95 m)
  • Beam: 14′ (4.26 m)
  • Draught: 3′ 4”(1.03 m)
  • Height: 7′ 7” (2.33 m)

It is possible to turn a full length boat at Slough Basin.

Canoeing, Boat Hire and Trip Boats

Canoeing is encouraged on the Slough Arm with a Canal & River Trust licence or British Canoeing membership.

There are no boats for hire or trip boats in the immediate vicinity.

Challenge Location

Slough Basin

Grand Union Canal – Slough Arm

Discover more nearby

Related activities

Waterway underfunding

Hundreds of miles of waterways – along with their unique heritage and habitats – are currently starved of funding and rely on constant lobbying by us to safeguard their future.

Sustainable Boating

We want boating on canals and rivers to be more sustainable and – even though the current overall contribution to UK carbon emissions is very small – we want to help reduce emissions on the waterways.

Waterways Heritage at Risk

Britain’s canals and rivers are a unique, living heritage. But that heritage is at risk – from urban development, lack of protection, loss of skills and knowledge and climate change.

You can help Save Waterways Heritage.

Waterway restoration

Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.