Ruislip Lido and Park Wood Circular
London
Ruislip Woods cover 726 acres on the north west edge of London and in May 1997 became the capital's first National Nature Reserve, with miles of oak and hornbeam tracks that give dogs plenty of room to roam off lead. Park Wood, Mad Bess Wood, Copse Wood and Bayhurst Wood are mostly oak and hornbeam, with beech in places and open heathy ground at Poor's Field. At their heart is Ruislip Lido, built in 1811 as a reservoir to feed the Grand Union Canal and now ringed by a sandy beach where dogs cannot swim, a miniature railway and woodland. This loop of around 5km from the main Lido car park on Reservoir Road follows the shore path round the Lido, then heads into Park Wood on the broad track that runs through it before curving back past Poor's Field to the car park. The ground is gentle, with around 40 metres of climbing, on woodland tracks and earth paths that are muddy for much of the winter.
This dog friendly walk has long stretches where a dog with reliable recall can be off lead under the trees and no regular livestock. Swimming is not permitted in the Lido, so keep your dog out of the water and away from the beach area, where families picnic in summer. Watch for cyclists and horse riders on the main tracks, and for the miniature railway line by the shore. The Water's Edge pub sits beside the Lido, and there are toilets off Willow Lawn car park.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.0 km (3.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Lake, Forest
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- The Water's Edge pub at the Lido; toilets off Willow Lawn car park; Ruislip Lido Railway.
- Parking
- Ruislip Lido Main Car Park and Willow Lawn Car Park, Reservoir Road, Hillingdon Council, charged; close at 7pm from October to March.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Ruislip Lido and Park Wood Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ruislip Lido and Park Wood Circular dog friendly?
Ruislip Lido and Park Wood Circular is rated 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness, making it one of the better options in the London area. The 726-acre Ruislip Woods offer miles of oak and hornbeam tracks with plenty of room to roam, and there's no regular livestock along the route. The Water's Edge pub sits beside the Lido if you fancy a post-walk drink with your dog.
Can dogs be off lead at Ruislip Lido and Park Wood Circular?
There are long stretches through the woodland where dogs with reliable recall can roam off lead, particularly along the broad tracks through Park Wood and past Poor's Field. There's no regular livestock to worry about, which helps. That said, the main tracks are shared with cyclists and horse riders, so it's worth keeping an eye on what's coming and calling your dog in when needed.
What should I know before visiting Ruislip Lido and Park Wood Circular with my dog?
The most important rule is that dogs are not permitted to swim in the Lido or access the sandy beach area, where families gather in summer, so keep your dog away from the water's edge. Watch out for the miniature railway line that runs along the shore, as well as cyclists and horse riders on the main woodland tracks. The paths can get muddy through winter, and the car parks on Reservoir Road are charged and close at 7pm between October and March, so plan your visit accordingly.
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