Cycling The Slough to Windsor Railway
Arches near Eton Wick
Start & Finish: Slough Railway Station, Brunel Way, Slough SL2 5BY
Distance: 9.8 km (6 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 48m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Jubilee River, Thames Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 4, 61, 461
Other Pubs / Cafes on route: Loads in Windsor and Eton
Map: OS Explorer Map (160) Windsor, Weybridge & Bracknell
Links: Slough, Slough Station, Slough-Windsor & Eton Line, Chalvey Halt Station, Windsor, Windsor & Eton Central Station, Slough & Windsor Railway Society
Having explored some local branch lines on foot in the last few weeks, it was now time to get on my bike for another one. This is the 2 mile line that connects the GWR mainline at Slough to Windsor and Eton Central. If you’re arriving by train check out Station Jim on platform 5 for a bit of geeky canine station history.
From the main (South) entrance of Slough station, head West along Brunel way and take a left onto B416. Be careful here as its a very busy road. We were there very early on a Sunday morning so it was quiet, but you still need your wits about you. At the big junction take a right onto the A4 and continue for 300 metres before taking a left onto Burlington Road. This keeps you as close as possible to the track as it curves away from the GWR mainline around the site of the old Thames Valley University.
Continue South-West along Burlington Road, right onto The Crescent and right onto Chalvey Road East. Here you’ll see the metal bridge that takes the rail line over the main road. To the North of the bridge was the site of Chalvey Halt, a station that was only open between May 1929 and July 1930. Take a left onto Ragstone Road before the rail bridge. Ragstone Road curves round to the East after about 100 metres where you’ll find a road that continues South parallel to the track. When we got there the gates at the entrance to the road were locked. As a diversion we continued along Ragstone Road, took a right onto the A332 to pass under the M4 then took the path on the right to follow the the North side of the Jubilee River. This path continues for a short distance to the rail crossing of the Jubilee River then curves off to the North to meet the path that we had planned to be on. Take a left to pass under the rail line then immediately left.
From here the path follows tight to the rail line all the way to the River Thames. You’ll pass under the M4, over the Jubilee River, under the A355 spur road and onto fields at the back of Eton College. With the Slough section now behind you the route gets significantly more pleasant as it passes the brick arches that hold the line high overground through to the centre of Windsor. When you reach the Thames you can’t follow the track over the river so you’ll need to divert West to the A355 road bridge, cross there and return East until you meet the rail line again at Alexandra Gardens.
After passing under the rail line take a right to follow the North side of the track through Alexandra Car Park. At Goswell Road take a right, pass under the arch and then a left. You’ll now be in the service area of the shopping centre next to the station. Continue up the hill until you see a set of steps and a ramp that takes you up to the main station concourse. You’ll now be in what was a very large station opposite Windsor Castle. The modern station is tucked away at the back of the shops and cafes.
From Windsor there’s many options for longer rides back to Slough. The fastest, most direct route is to take the B3022 Thames Street as it descends from the Castle back to the river. Cross over Eton Bridge and follow Eton High Street (B3022) heading North. At the roundabout next to the Jubilee River continue North onto the A332 back to Slough Town Centre. When you reach the big A4 junction from the start of the trip, take a right onto Wellington Street (A4) then a left before Tesco back onto Brunel Way, finishing back at the station. Once you leave Eton there’s nothing pleasant or interesting about this section so I recommend taking the train back if you’re walking the line rather than cycling it.
