Arbour Park still has that ‘shiny new’ look, having been opened in late 2016. Normally most new builds nowadays are fairly boring affairs, but pleasingly Arbour Park is a little different, mainly down to the smart-looking Main Stand on one side of the pitch.
From the outside, this stand that runs around half the length of the pitch and sits astride the halfway line is particularly eye-catching with a central column flanked by two semi-circular metal facades. The curves continue over the roof, extending over the 250 seats below.
This seating area is comprised of eight rows. With no supporting pillars to contend with and with the rake of the stand being quite steep, then supporters can enjoy fine views of the playing action. Even the team dugouts are located on each side of the stand rather than the normal in-front position. Behind the seated area, there is a tall glass frontage, which further enhances the overall look.
Interestingly on either side of the stand are raised outdoor areas, that have several tables and chairs. I am not sure if fans using the Main Stand have access to these areas or whether they are for corporate use, but they are a nice touch and a bit different to what you normally see at the grounds.
Opposite the Main Stand is the East Stand. This small covered seated stand is four rows high and runs for around a third of the length of the pitch, on the halfway line.
It has a small curved roof. Both ends have small covered terraces that more or less extend the full width of the pitch. They are prefabricated in nature meaning that the terrace steps and retaining back wall are made of metal.
The North End is the home end of the ground and is overlooked from behind by a large HEA office block.
Arbour Park is completed with a set of eight floodlights, four of which run down each side of the ground. There is also a small electronic scoreboard in this corner of the stadium.
The opening of Arbour Park in December 2016, was a major milestone for the Club, finally returning to their Slough hometown after an absence of 13 years. They had vacated their former Wexham Park ground in 2003 and had been forced to groundshare elsewhere until Arbour Park was built.
The pitch at Arbour Park is one of 24 FIFA-approved pitches in the UK to use 3G instead of natural turf. The stadium hosted a number of games at the 2018 CONIFA World Football Cup.
For most games at Arbour Park then fans are not segregated. If segregation is in place then visiting supporters are mostly housed in the South Terrace at one end of the stadium. This covered terrace comprises six rows and has a capacity of around 700. In addition, several seats which are also undercover are made available to away fans in the East Stand.
Although the ground looks good it is lacking in facilities, especially when segregation is in force. For example, toilets and food/drink outlets are brought in for the match.
The stadium is a completely no-smoking/vaping one. However, stewards will allow fans to exit the stadium and re-enter if they need a smoke.
Pubs near Arbour Park:
- Earl of Cornwall – Cippenham Ln, Slough SL1 2XN
- Red Lion –Â Stoke Grn, Slough SL2 4HN
- The Long Barn – Bennetts Cl, Cippenham Ln, Slough SL1 5AH
Chicken gyros and chips at Slough Town FC (@sloughtownfc)
💷 £10 pic.twitter.com/dR20Je2ccG
— Footy Scran (@FootyScran) March 16, 2024
From the M4
Leave the M4 at Junction 6 and then head towards Slough on the A355, go straight through the roundabout until you reach a main set of lights. (A4) then turn right and head East towards Slough Town Centre on the A4 for approx. two miles. At the main set of lights turn left onto B416 signposted for Slough Cemetery & crematorium then follow this road you will go through several sets of lights and Arbour Park will be on your right.
From the M40
Leave the M40 at Junction 2 and follow the A355 towards Slough and then take a left turn onto Parish Lane at The Indian Courtyard Restaurant and follow this road until it ends, turn right onto Windsor Road (B416) and follow this road until you reach a mini roundabout, take the second exit towards Slough Cemetery & Crematorium with Arbour Park will be on your left.
Car Parking
There are a limited number of spaces available at Arbour Park itself, on matchdays, which are free. Parking is also available at the nearby Lynch Hill Enterprise Academy, off Stoke Road (SL2 5AY). For some larger games then free parking is also made available to visiting supporters at St Joseph’s School (SL2 5HW), the entrance to which is off Shaggy Calf Lane.
Slough Railway Station is located around 3/4’s of a mile away from Arbour Park. The station is served by trains from London Paddington. To walk to Arbour Park from the station should take around 15 minutes. Turn right out of the main station entrance and walk up to the main road, passing Slough Bus Station on your left, (where you can if you wish, catch a Redline Number WP1 bus from Bay 13 with the destination of Wexham Park Hospital to Stoke Road at Calf Lane for the ground). At the top of the road then turn right along the main Stoke Road (signposted Gerrards Cross B416). Keep on straight along Stoke Road and you will eventually reach Arbour Park on your right.
Ticket price at Slough Town:
Adult: £13-£15
Over 65: £8-£10
14-17/Student: £3-£5
U14: £1
Matchday Programme: £2
Maidenhead United.
Record Attendance
At Arbour Park
1,950 v Rochdale
FA Cup Second Round, 4th December 2017.
Average Attendance
2023-2024: 846 (National League South)
2022-2023: 665 (National League South)
2021-2022: 682 (National League South)
2020-2021: 0 (Covid) (National League South)
2019-2020: 841 (National League South)
Official Website: www.sloughtownfc.net
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, then please e-mail me at: [email protected]
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Slough Town v Havant and Waterlooville
National League South
Saturday 15th February 2020, 3pm
Ian Thomas (Havant & Waterlooville)
Slough Town v Chippenham Town
National League South
Saturday 19th January 2019, 3pm
Brian Scott (Neutral)
Slough Town v East Thurrock United
National League South
Saturday 22nd December 2018, 3pm
Paul Dickinson (Neutral)
Slough Town v Sutton United
FA Cup First Round Replay
Tuesday 20th November 2018, 7:45pm
Ed Marsh (Sutton United)
Slough Town v Woking
National League South
Saturday 17th November 2018, 3pm
Myles Munsey (Ground hopper)
Reasons for visit
Well with short evenings upon us I don’t venture too far for football leading in the weeks leading up to Christmas. As Slough is just up the road and with both teams playing well, plus a local derby to boot this looked like a good game to sample. It is also conveniently close to my model railway emporium so I called in there en route and killed two birds with one stone which was highly convenient.
Getting there
It is an easy Journey from Newbury, with one change of train at Reading. Once in Slough, it is but a short walk to the stadium along Stoke Poges Road.
First impressions
I rather liked this ground. True it is very modern, but there is no question that the facilities are superb. As it is set just back from the road there is ample space inside and out in which to circulate. It does indeed have that spacious feel that sometimes is missing, despite the fact that Arbour Park has the smallest ground capacity in the National League South. Everything is very well organised here and once again stewards were friendly and engaging. One feature I noted was the very large interval between the home and away dugouts. Normally opposing managers are within striking distance (not literally one hopes!), but here they are kept well apart. The artificial 3G pitch means few if any postponements but I found the colour somewhat strange. But if it means accurate passing that can only be a good thing. The Main Stand is chunky and prominent without ever dominating, but fitted in well to the ambience of the stadium as a whole. The ground is bordered by two modern schools which seemed appropriate and trees bearing mistletoe which given the time of year also seemed appropriate! The ground appears to tremble slightly every time a plane takes off from Heathrow, which is close of course. I did wonder what that rumbling noise was.
Arbour Park
Before the game
Eating facilities were a bit thin on the ground, but I eventually plumped for a Lamb Kofta burger at a local café. I hasten to add that this is not my normal dietary routine, but this was Slough so when in Rome as the saying goes……. Feeling hungrier than usual and on a cold day I needed something warm and filling. It certainly satisfied that requirement.
With time on my hands, I sauntered along the road to the ground passing the terminus of the Slough Arm of the Grand Union canal en route and then crossed the evocatively named Shaggy Calf Road before finding the stadium ten minutes later on my right.
This was one of those rare games where segregation was in force (although three sides were available to us neutrals). Weighing up the options I chose to sit in the Main stand which afforded an excellent view across the pitch and had the advantage of not being troubled by a low sun in the west.
The game
This was a lively matter with good attacking intent from both sides into which was stirred a fair amount of needle, some histrionics from the Woking coaching staff and one or two pretty hefty challenges, two of which merited a yellow card. Whilst never dirty, the referee had to intervene more than once to calm down players and touchline staff alike.
Back to the football. It was a shame that this match was settled by a soft goal coming on 30 minutes from Ben Gerring. Poorly marked from a Woking corner he was able to nod the ball home past a bemused goalkeeper. Slough huffed and puffed and came close to an equaliser on 70 minutes the ball pinging off the crossbar after a goalmouth melee. However ,the two Woking centre backs were like a brick wall and there was no way through for the home side. 1-0 to Woking.
Getting away
It got very cold in the second half with the sun dipping down and a half moon rising, coupled with a keen wind, so the brisk walk back to Slough Station warmed me up nicely. I just squeaked the 17.08 Slough to Reading train and changing there was back in Newbury by 18.05.
Overall thoughts
Once again an enjoyable day out in a trouble-free environment. Not the most memorable game I’ve been to, but it certainly had its moments and good value entertainment.
Also an impressive attendance for this one – 1,465
Slough Town v Woking
National League South
Saturday 17th November 2018, 3pm
Mike Ruthers (Woking)
Slough Town v Hampton and Richmond Borough
National League South
Saturday 4th August 2018, 3pm
Michael Kimberley (Ninety-Two Club)