Ruislip Lido facts for kids
Ruislip Lido (pronounced RY-slip LY-doh) is a special place in Ruislip, London. It's a reservoir, which is like a big lake, with an artificial beach. You can find it between Ruislip Common, Ruislip Woods (a protected nature area), and Poor's Field.
This reservoir was first built in 1811 to supply water to the Grand Junction Canal. Later, in 1933, it was transformed into a fun lido, which is a place for swimming and boating. During World War II, it was secretly used by the Royal Air Force to teach aircrew how to survive in water.
A miniature railway, called the Ruislip Lido Railway, started running in 1945. Today, it travels around two-thirds of the reservoir's edge. After a period of neglect in the 1970s and 1980s, the lido has been improved. In 2010, the London Borough of Hillingdon started a project to bring back boating and swimming, which had stopped because of pollution and low water levels.
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How Ruislip Lido Was Built
Building the Reservoir
The Grand Junction Canal Company bought a lot of land, including parts of Park Wood and Park Hearne. They then built a dam across the valley and flooded the area to create the reservoir.
The reservoir was officially opened on 5 December 1811. It was designed by engineer John Rennie to feed water into the Grand Junction Canal. However, the water became polluted from the flooded land, so it couldn't be used for the canal after 1851.
The canal is about 7 miles west of the reservoir. A special underground channel, called a culvert, was built to carry water to the canal at Hayes Bridge. Part of this route even includes a small aqueduct that carries the canal's water over the River Pinn.
Becoming a Lido for Fun
In 1933, the reservoir was turned into a lido, a popular spot for recreation. A stylish main building, designed in the Art Deco style, was built. It had a cafe, changing rooms, and a terrace with steps leading to a swimming pool area. The pool had a concrete base and jetties, but it was open to the main lido.
Rowing boats were available for rent, and there were boathouses on the western side. Later, a special boating area for children was added. Ruislip Lido also became famous for water-skiing, and championships were often shown on TV. Even actor Jon Pertwee, who played Doctor Who, was one of the first members of the Ruislip Water Ski Club.
The Ruislip Sailing Club used to be based here, with boats like the Graduate and Solo dinghies. However, in the 1970s, the water level was lowered to prevent flooding nearby homes, which made it too shallow for sailing.
Several movies were filmed at the lido. These included The Young Ones starring Cliff Richard and A Night to Remember, where a large model of the RMS Titanic was filmed sinking.
The Ruislip Lido Railway
The Ruislip Lido Railway is a miniature railway that first opened in 1945. Back then, it was a short track on the south-east side of the lido, running through the woods. Small trains were pulled by a steam locomotive named Prince Edward. It was built by the Grand Union Canal Company as part of the lido's attractions, along with a beach.
Today, the miniature railway is still running and is operated by volunteers. It has been made much longer, and a second station and platform have been added near The Waters Edge pub.
Changes and Improvements Over Time
Decline and New Beginnings
In the 1970s, the lido faced problems. It's said that the local council raised admission fees too high, causing fewer people to visit. The main Art Deco building was closed and damaged by vandals. Sadly, in June 1993, it was badly damaged by a fire and had to be torn down in 1994. A new restaurant, called The Waters Edge, was built in 1996 in a similar style.
Ruislip Lido is still a popular place for sunbathing and beach games. Even though swimming was not officially allowed for a while due to pollution and no lifeguards, people still enjoyed the water. In 2009, a fun splash pad water play area for children was built.
Future Plans and Water Levels
In January 2010, Hillingdon Council announced a big project to improve the lido. To bring back boating, the water level needed to be raised. However, the Environment Agency was worried this might cause flooding in nearby homes. The water level had been kept low since 1992 after floods damaged houses close by.
An engineering company, Halcrow Group, suggested a plan in April 2010 to prevent flooding, costing about £250,000. By January 2012, these plans received all the necessary safety approvals from the Environment Agency, allowing the improvements to move forward.
