Ruislip Woods
Ruislip woods is a 726-acre nature reserve with native plants & wildlife, plus a network of walking/biking paths joining Ruilsip lido and surrounding areas.
There are walking routes through the woods if you would like a set path to follow, or walk at your own pace and leisure the way you want and explore the beauty of Ruislip woods.
You can also take the narrow gauge miniature railway through the woods if you would like a more relaxing exploration of Ruislip woods.
Ruislip Woods now consists of Bayhurst Wood, Copse Wood, Mad Bess Wood, Park Wood, Poor’s Field/Ruislip Common, the Ruislip Local Nature Reserve, The Northern Finger, Grub Ground, Tarleton’s Lake and surrounding land in Hillingdon.
Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve, at 305 hectares or 755 acres, is the biggest single area of woodland in Greater London. Park Wood is one of England’s largest ancient woods in a completely semi-natural state.
Bayhurst Wood
Bayhurst Wood are the furthest from the lido and is part of Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve. It is ‘ancient semi-natural woodland’, a remnant of the Wildwood that once wholly covered England after the last ice age, about 8,000 years ago. So if you’d like to travel into England’s past, we think exploring this wood is a great way to do it. The woodland contains hornbeam coppice, oak and beech.
Bayhurst Woods are the only part of Ruislip Woods that lie within the Colne Valley Regional Park. The London Borough of Hillingdon manages them.
The Ruislip Woods Trust have created a ‘Yellow Walk‘ from St Martins Church in Ruislip to St Mary’s Church in Harefield. You can pick up part of the route by following the yellow arrows from the entrance to Bayhurst Woods to Harefield Church. Alternatively, you can follow the David Brough Cycle Route, a 2 km circuit of the woods, which you can also enjoy on foot.
Copse Wood
To the north of the lido, you find the 169-acre Copse Wood, predominantly oak and birch with some sweet chestnut and young beech trees. This wood is also part of Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve. Use the car park on the opposite side of the road, where an information board is displayed.
Mad Bess Wood
Growing up and going to school in Ruislip, you’d hear many a strange tale about this oddly named wood. The name alone is enough to conjure up all kinds of weird and wonderful reasons for its name.
The wood is part of Ruislip Woods Nature reserve and comprises 139 acres of woodland made up of a few smaller woods.
Large areas of the wood are oak and hornbeam. However, there is also sweet chestnut coppice.
The trees are predominantly birch and alder to the northeast because an old gravel quarry means more waterlogged conditions. This area also has distinctive flora, including alder-specific fungi and moths, May Highflyer, Dingy Shell and Small Yellow Wave. There have also been broad-leaved helleborine and violet helleborine orchids found in the wood, which are rare in this area.
Why is it called Mad Bess Wood?
That is a good question, and believe it or not; there is no answer – this is probably why we have such a range of vivid and imaginative ideas or theories. One of the more promising theories is that it was named after a local gamekeeper’s wife who lived nearby in the 18th century. But I still prefer that it was named after a witch that lived in the forest.
Ruislip Woods are managed by the London Borough of Hillingdon
How to get here
There are great transport links to Ruislip Lido and Ruislip Woods
The nearest National Rail/overground station is West Ruislip, and the nearest underground station is Ruislip and then Ruislip Manor. You can find the best way to get here on our directions page.
Park Wood
Park Wood is the wood that surrounds the Lido to the east and south. The largest of the woods that make up the Ruislip woods nature reserve.
Park Wood is a large and long-established area of woodland; The use of the wood has been dated back to the Bronze Age after a metal detector user discovered a barbed spearhead in 1984. The spearhead was found with pottery fragments. Timber from the wood was used to construct the Tower of London in 1339, Windsor Castle in 1344, and the Palace of Westminster in 1346.
You can find an abundance of native broad-leaved trees and wildflowers in the wood, and it is the richest site in Greater London for lichens on trees. It also supports a wide range of birds. It was also the first to be designated as a National Nature Reserve in an urban area.
Ruislip Woods are managed by the London Borough of Hillingdon
How to get here
There are great transport links to Ruislip Lido and Ruislip Woods
The nearest National Rail/overground station is West Ruislip, and the nearest underground station is Ruislip and then Ruislip Manor. You can find the best way to get here on our directions page.
Play Areas
We have a great selection of play areas that you'll love! The pirate ship on the beach, with climbing frames, swings, and more! There is also a splash water park, and even an outside gym for adults!
Miniature Railway
Did you know Ruislip Lido is home to Britain's longest 12" gauge miniature railway? Ruislip Lido Railway travels around the Lido from the car park, through the woods, to the beach. A great way to see the Lido and woods.
Woodland Walks
Ruislip Lido is situated near to Ruislip woods, why not take a leisurely walk around the lido through the beautiful woodland? You can always get a drink and a bite to eat in one of the cafes or restaurants to recharge.
More to Explore at Ruislip Lido
Planets Walk
Starting with the Sun, opposite the new boathouse, you will see each planet in order, from the Sun on this interesting walk.
Boathouse
Introducing the newest addition to the Lido, which includes a community room that is available to hire.
Fishing
Fishing is permitted from 16 June to 14 March. A licence is required to fish the lake, and fishing rules apply.
Feeding birds & ducks
Outdoor gym & running