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A relaxed circuit around Ruislip Lido, with open lake views, the beach at Woody Bay and a stretch of Park Wood beside the miniature railway. Allow about an hour and a half for this 3.1 km walk, including stops by the water. This is a popular local park, so fine weekends can be busy around the beach, railway and cafés.
Start in Ruislip Lido Main Car Park at the end of Reservoir Road, not the separate Willow Lawn car park. Walk out towards Reservoir Road and follow the park approach to the southern lakeside path. Continue past Woody Bay and north through the trees on the eastern side of the lake. At the northern end, turn onto the western lakeside path and return past Willow Lawn to the main car park. The circuit follows the lake and woodland paths shown on Hillingdon’s Ruislip Woods map.
The route has gentle gradients and mostly established paths. Wear walking shoes with grip: shaded ground and leaf-covered paths can be slippery after rain. Take care on the short Reservoir Road approach and at the car park entrance, watch for cyclists, and use the signed crossings around the miniature railway. Keep away from unguarded water edges. Swimming is prohibited, and the children’s splash pad is currently closed for repairs.
There are public toilets off Willow Lawn car park, currently open 10am–6pm, and refreshments around the lido. Parking is limited and charges and resident-card restrictions differ between car parks, so read the signs. From October to March the lido car parks currently close at 7pm. The H13 and 331 buses stop nearby.
Map and visitor information: Hillingdon Council, https://pre.hillingdon.gov.uk/ruislip-lido . The council’s Ruislip Woods Red Route leaflet includes a map of the lido and surrounding paths: https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/media/1587/Red-route-walk/pdf/Ruislip_Woods_Red_route_1.pdf
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