This guide explores some of Slough’s most chilling myths and legends—perfect for curious minds and lovers of folklore and true crime alike.

The Ostrich Inn Murders – A Chilling Tale from the Past

Just outside Slough, in the village of Colnbrook, stands the Ostrich Inn—a timber-framed pub with a history as disturbing as it is fascinating.

According to legend, in the 14th century, the innkeepers Jarman and his wife lured wealthy travellers with food and ale. Once the guest was asleep in the so-called “murder room,” a tilting bed dropped them tough a trapdoor into a boiling cauldron in the kitchen below. More than 60 victims are said to have died this way before the couple was caught and hanged.

Even today, visitors claim to hear footsteps, whispers, and feel sudden chills inside the pub. The Ostrich Inn embraces this chilling past, serving up both hearty meals and a side of ghostly intrigue.

Haunted Corners of Slough

Beyond Colnbrook, Slough has its own share of haunted spots where locals whisper about restless spirits:

1. Upton Court Park

A peaceful park by day, Upton Court hides an eerie reputation. Joggers and walkers tell stories of a woman in white appearing at dusk, only to vanish seconds later. Some feel an oppressive heaviness in the woods—as though being watched.

2. St. Mary’s Church, Langley

This historic church is tied to legends of a missing monk. Visitors have reported monastic chanting and phantom bells, especially during stormy nights. The churchyard is said to be one of the most spiritually active spots in Slough.

3. Abandoned Railway Buildings

Old tunnels and railway offices near Slough station have long carried ghost stories. Workers reported ghostly silhouettes and metallic clanging in empty corridors. Though most are closed off today, their legends remain.

Folklore and Forgotten Tales

The Horse Without a Rider

A 19th-century tale tells of a riderless black horse racing silently tough town at night, vanishing into thin air. Some believed it was a lost messenger’s horse from the English Civil War. Others saw it as a dark omen of tragedy.

The Midnight Knockers

In Chalvey and Britwell, families once spoke of hearing tee slow knocks at their doors after midnight—with no one there when opened. While skeptics blamed pranksters, others believed it was the sign of a restless spirit. Parents even used it as a warning: “Go to bed, or the midnight knockers will come!”

Why These Stories Still Matter

Why revisit old ghost stories in 2025? Because they keep Slough’s history alive. They reveal not just fears, but how communities once lived and explained the unknown.

Today, these tales inspire ghost walks, pub nights, and heritage tours. They give locals and visitors a chance to experience Slough beyond its modern surface—reminding us that even in a fast-changing town, mystery remains part of its identity.

Share Your Story

At Slough Blog, we uncover everything from real estate and food to hidden history and folklore. If your family has a ghost story or strange experience in Slough, send it to us. Together, we’ll keep these legends alive—not just in museums, but in the stories that still echo at night.

Final Thoughts

Slough isn’t just traffic and shopping centres—it’s a town layered with mystery, folklore, and haunted history. From the bloody legend of the Ostrich Inn to the ghostly whispers in its parks and churches, Slough proves that every modern street stands on centuries of untold tales.

So the next time you’re out late in Slough, pause. Listen closely. You may just hear the past whispering tough the present.

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