Ruislip Lido
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Ruislip Lido started as Ruislip Reservoir[1]. It is in Ruislip in the London Borough of Hillingdon, in the United Kingdom. It was opened on 5th December, 1811 as one of the reservoirs for the Grand Junction Canal by engineer John Rennie and constructor Hugh Mackintosh.
A suitable valley, that between Copse wood and Park wood, was selected and dammed. This flooded Park Hearn, a small village there[2].
Located on Ruislip Common, between Ruislip Woods (a national nature reserve) and Poors field, Ruislip Lido is at grid reference TQ087891. Referring to the map shows that the canal, now renamed the Grand Union Canal, is some distance to the west, and that a culvert was built to lead water to the canal at Hayes Bridge, a distance of some seven miles. Some of the route was under the ground, and parts have been built over[3]. Part of the route includes a little known aqueduct which carries the canal feeder over the River Pinn near Woodville Gardens[4].
The Ruislip Lido Railway[5][6] is a narrow gauge railway which all but encircles the reservoir.
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[edit] 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 (film) with Cliff Richard
- A Night to Remember[7], where RMS Titanic "sank on film"
[edit] The Heyday
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[edit] Dinghy Sailing
Ruislip Sailing Club[8] used to be at the lido. A tight knit club racing 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.
[edit] Water Skiing
Ruislip was one of many venues for the World Water skiing Championship[9]
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[edit] Demise
It is said that the local council killed the lido in the 1970s by raising the admission fee beyond the level the market would stand[10][11]. Additionally the main building was fire damaged in 1993 and demolished in 1994.
[edit] Resurrection
Today, in 2006 the lido is a shadow of its former self. The miniature railway is doing well.
The main building has been replaced by a pub - The Water's Edge[12], and the children's playground has been refurbished
[edit] References
- ^ Ruislip Lido, from Ruislip Online
- ^ London Borough of Hillingdon - Ruislip Woods
- ^ The Ruislip Lido Canal Feeder, Part One, Ruislip
- ^ Ruislip's secret aqueduct
- ^ Ruislip Lido Railway
- ^ Map of the Miniature Railway
- ^ Hidden London - Ruislip Common
- ^ Ruislip Sailing Club RIP
- ^ Ruislip Lido showing a 1965 picture of Charlotte Rampling on a ski tow boat
- ^ Demise of the Lido (scroll down)
- ^ The story of Ruislip Common Water Pumping Station and its Curious Aftermath (with footnote by the son of the engineer, Mr. Hester)
- ^ The Water's Edge
