Ruislip Lido has everything a child and parent could need. There’s a manmade beach; climbing frames on the sand and off (even an adult-ish climbing frame); a restaurant, café, paved walking route and a train.
Let’s start with parking and travel: there is a large car park, but on hot days this is packed and the nearest road to park on is Ducks Hill, which will be equally busy. On the plus side, should you have to find parking along this single lane road, you pass an M&S—who doesn’t love their food? There is also a bus that pulls up right outside the Waterside Restaurant.
The restaurant food is extremely cheap, though not one for the connoisseur, and the café is nothing to write home about. However, there are toilets by both eateries that, for public toilets, are quite good.
The sandy beach is wonderful for children of all ages and, yes, you can go in the water but, no, I would never let my darling anywhere near it—ok, maybe her feet but that’s it. The swans ensure a truckload of feathers and (how to put this nicely…) excrement floats around. However, if you’re of the ‘what doesn’t kill them makes them stronger’ philosophy, then let them splash and frolic.
Amongst the sand is a large climbing area and on the pavement, just behind the sand, is another climbing frame. What’s more, a huge woodland area lies behind, where you can really tire your children out.
If after all this fun you want to take it easy, you can go on the small train that travels half the route of the lido. My nephews, train-enthusiasts, absolutely love this, and joggers and dog walkers always oblige with a friendly wave as we choo-choo pass.
Overall, the lido has everything you could ever need, but I have one warning: watch out for the swans. I’ve toe-to-toed with one particular swan and let’s just say I retreated pretty quickly.
For more information, please visit: www.hillingdon.gov.uk/ruisliplido
