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Berkshire · England
Spiritual Slough
If you live in or near Slough, this page brings the night sky, the old sites and the seasons together in one place. It covers where to find properly dark skies, what the sun and moon are doing across the year at Slough's latitude (51.5°N), the heritage and folklore places nearby, and when to order so your crystals, tarot or candles arrive in time.
The Long Walk, Windsor Great Park. Photo: Ввласенко, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Region Berkshire
- Dark skies Moore's Reserve (South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve)
- Delivery UK delivery £3.95, free over £40, 2–5 working days
The place to visit
Real photographs, with directions. Tap a map link to open the exact spot.
History, folklore and tips
The history
Astronomer William Herschel lived in Slough from 1786 until his death in 1822, building some of the largest telescopes of his time there. Windsor Great Park is nearby.
Folklore and tradition
Herne the Hunter is a ghostly figure with antlers said to haunt Windsor Great Park, first written about by Shakespeare in The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Visiting tips
- The Long Walk is free to walk.
- Herschel Park in Slough is named after him.
- Look for Uranus, which Herschel discovered in 1781.
From the shop
Shop for Slough
Celestial gifts for Herschel's town, delivered to Slough. UK delivery £3.95, free over £40, 2–5 working days.
Sky almanac for Slough
Dark skies and stargazing near Slough
Dark skies and stargazing near Slough
The nearest certified dark-sky place to Slough is Moore's Reserve (South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve), about 69 km (43 miles) away as the crow flies. The next nearest is Cranborne Chase International Dark Sky Reserve, about 118 km (73 miles) away. The best nights are clear, moonless ones around a new moon. The next new moons are on 9 November, 9 December, 7 January, 6 February. Find event dates on the Moore's Reserve website.
Sunrise, sunset and the moon in Slough
Sunrise, sunset and the moon in Slough
At the June solstice on 21 June 2027, the sun rises in Slough at about 04:44 and sets at about 21:23 (BST), giving 16h 38m of daylight, 0 minutes less than in London. At the December solstice on 21 December 2026 it rises at about 08:05 and sets at about 15:55 (GMT), giving only 7h 49m. Around the March equinox (20 March 2027), sunrise is about 06:08 and sunset about 18:14. Between roughly 24 May and 21 July, the sun never sinks far enough below the horizon for full astronomical darkness, so the faintest stars and the Milky Way are hard to see. In folk tradition the full moon marks the month. The next full moons fall on 24 November, 24 December, 22 January, 20 February, 22 March. Times are calculated (NOAA formulas) and approximate.
Best times of year
Best times of year
Autumn and winter give Slough its best skies: darkness comes early and the air is often clearer after a cold front.
On the Geminid peak night of 13–14 December 2026 the sky over Slough is fully dark from about 17:57, and the moon is only 21% lit, so it is a very good year for them. The Geminids are the richest shower of the year and the radiant is up almost all night.
For the Perseids in August 2027 the moon is 84% lit and sets over Slough at about 01:14, so the best watching is after moonset and before dawn. Full darkness on 12 August starts around 22:58 at 51.5°N.
Moore's Reserve (South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve) is about 69 km away if you want truly dark skies; otherwise a park or field away from streetlights will still show the brighter meteors.
On 2 August 2027 a partial solar eclipse is visible across the UK, weather permitting. Never look at the sun without certified eclipse glasses.
Slough: local questions
Where is the nearest dark sky reserve to Slough?
The nearest certified dark-sky place is Moore's Reserve (South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve), roughly 69 km away in a straight line.
What time is sunrise in Slough on the summer solstice?
About 04:44 BST on 21 June 2027, with sunset about 21:23.
Are there ancient or sacred sites near Slough?
Yes. Nearby places include William Herschel in Slough, Herne the Hunter. See the heritage section for details.
How much is delivery to Slough?
UK delivery to Slough is £3.95 and free on orders over £40. Most orders arrive within 2–5 working days.
Photographs are from Wikimedia Commons under the licences shown, resized and converted for the web. Folklore is described as tradition. Starseed UK makes no health claims for any product.