In the coaching era, Salt Hill was a separate village about a mile west of Slough. It was only with the coming of the Trading Estate in the 1920s that the town of Slough expanded to take in Salt Hill. But back then, it was a stopping-off point for coaches travelling along the Bath Road.
The most famous inn in the village was the Windmill Inn, which attracted many famous visitors, including Pitt the Younger and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. In 1814, the Prince Regent hosted a breakfast there for the King of Prussia and his sons, the Emperor of Russia, and the Prince of Orange. At the back of the hotel were watercress beds which used to supply large quantities of watercress to the London markets.
Another famous local establishment was the Castle Inn, named for its' view of Windsor Castle. It is notable for an event in 1773, when several commissioners of the Colnbrook Turnpike Trust died there, due to poisoning from a dish of turtle soup.
Of course, the coaches also brought highwaymen to the area. One, known as 'flying Hawkes', was active in the area for years. He was known as a master of disguise. In one famous tale he was in the Salt Hill area, disguised as a Quaker, when he overheard a traveller claim that no highwayman would ever get the better of him. He followed and robbed the traveller, warning him not to be so boastful in future. Unfortunately, he was captured later that night by the Bow Street Runners.
One of the reasons behind the formation of the Salt Hill Society in 1783 was to protect locals from robbers and highwaymen.
In the present day, Salt Hill is probably best known for the Playing Fields. These were created thanks to local benefactor James Elliman. He provided the land and had it landscaped, before giving it to Slough Council in trust for the citizens of Slough. He also provided money to ensure the upkeep of the park. When it opened in 1907, it was the first public open space in Slough.
A short general history
Salt Hill
Forgotten history of the Irish
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