Ruislip Lido

Starting out life as a reservoir feeding the Grand Junction Canal (later the Grand Union Canal), the 60-acre lake became Ruislip Lido in the '30s. In its heyday the water was crowded with boats, water skiers and swimmers; people can no longer take a dip, and probably wouldn't want to in the dirty water, but it's still worth a visit. Set in acre upon acre of ancient woodland, which once provided timber for the building of Windsor Castle, Ruislip Lido is a pretty spot in west London, affording a lovely walk around the water's edge ending up at The Waters Edge (pub). There's more family fun to be had on the sandy beach and the children's playground but the top attraction here is the Ruislip Lido Railway, running from the beach through the woods to the pub on the other side. There's also free car parking at the end of Reservoir Road.