Ruislip Lido

Swans at Ruislip Lido

Ruislip Lido started as Ruislip Reservoir. It is located in Ruislip, London, United Kingdom. It was opened on 5 December 1811 as one of the feeder reservoirs for the Grand Junction Canal by engineer John Rennie and constructor Hugh Mackintosh.

A suitable valley between Copse wood and Park wood was selected, dammed and then flooded. This resulted in a small village called Park Hearn being submerged beneath the water level of the reservoir .

The Lido is situated between Ruislip common, Ruislip Woods (a national nature reserve) and Poors field. The Lido is at grid reference TQ087891. Referring to the map shows that the canal (now renamed the Grand Union Canal) is located some distance to the west and that a culvert was built to lead water to the canal at Hayes Bridge which is seven miles from the Lido. Some of the route was underground and parts have been built over. Part of the route includes a little known aqueduct which carries the canal feeder over the River Pinn near Woodville Gardens.

The Ruislip Lido Railway is a narrow gauge railway which runs about one third of the distance around the reservoir.

The Lido begins

The reservoir was developed as a lido in 1933, with an Art Deco style main building designed by George W. Smith, together with an area reserved for swimming.

The formal opening was by the Earl of Howe in 1936.

Attractions included:

• rowing boats
• motor boats
• paddle boats
• children's playground
• a beach
• swimming
• miniature railway
• water skiing
• dinghy sailing

This made it very popular with the local populace.

In addition several films were made there, including:

• The Young Ones with Cliff Richard
• A Night to Remember, where the large model of the RMS Titanic "sank on film"

Dinghy Sailing

Ruislip Sailing Club was based at the lido. This local clubs members raced dinghies suitable for inland waters including the Graduate and the Solo, it ceased when the water level was artificially lowered and became too shallow for sailing.

Water Skiing

Ruislip was one of many venues for the World Water skiing Championship

It is said that the local council ran the lido into financial ruin in the 1970s by raising the admission fee beyond the level the market would stand. Additionally the main building had been closed down and was vandalised before being fire damaged beyond economical repair in 1993 and demolished in 1994.

The lido remains a popular location for sunbathing and beach games, and although swimming is officially not allowed due to lack of lifeguards and poor water quality visitors do swim there. In 2008 a splash pad was added. The miniature railway is still running and was lengthened considerably, and a second station and platform were added near the Waters Edge pub.

The main building has been replaced by a pub - The Water's Edge, and the children's playground has been refurbished.

External links

• Brochure for the lido from circa 1948
• Friends of Ruislip Lido