Callum Ryan, 23, was looking for ways to enjoy the sunshine without having to head miles out of London – and he thinks he’s found the perfect spot
A clever Londoner discovered a hidden gem dubbed “London’s secret beach” and reckons it trumps the popular seaside town of Brighton.
Callum Ryan, 23, was on the hunt for a spot to bask in the sun without venturing too far from the capital.
After a quick Google search for ‘beaches near London’ despite knowing the closest actual coast is a good 42 miles away, he stumbled upon Ruislip Lido in the Borough of Hillingdon, a mere half-hour journey from the city’s bustling centre.
The lido, which Callum visited for free, boasts a sprawling 60-acre lake set amidst the lush Ruislip Woods, making it a serene escape from urban life. On July 19, Callum found the “secret beach” complete with sandy shores and paddle-friendly waters brimming with sun-seekers sprawled on towels and engaging in lively games of volleyball.
Already planning a return trip, Callum has marked the calendar for another day out with pals. The content creator, hailing from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, shared: “It is great, I was really impressed when I was there.”
He observed the vibrant scene, noting: “There were so many people there – relaxing on towels, playing volleyball and chilling.”
Describing his own experience, he added: “I went and chilled out. Check out the café — there is an outdoor gym which is quite cool — and a waterpark for children.”
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With plans firmly in place, he affirmed: “I would definitely go back, I have a date booked in with friends and my family are keen to go and check it out too.”
He concluded with a nod to its convenience: “Location wise, it is a lot better than Brighton.”
Visitors are not allowed to swim at Ruislip Lido but they can enjoy the beach. This is primarily because the cold water can cause shock, the depth of the whether changes and therefore is unpredictable, hazards under then water may not be visible and swimmer’s itch can be caused by an allergic reaction to certain microscopic parasites in the water.
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However, the sandy beach offers the perfect suburban spot when getting to the coast may not be feasible. The site is also home to the Woodlands Centre, which has many interesting woodland activities, including nature walks in the woods, family walks and craft sessions.
Nearby is also the Ruislip Lido Railway which runs around the lake, with the line weaving its way through the ancient Ruislip Woods. There are two main stations on the line where passengers can start and finish their journey.
Woody Bay station is beside the beach and children’s splash pad, and it is the oldest terminus on the line. The other station is Willow Lawn station, located next to the car park and is located near to the ‘Waters Edge’ pub.
