Ruislip Lido

Originally created as a feeder basin for the Grand Junction Canal in 1811, the reservoir was reopened in 1933 as a lido, with facilities for swimming and boating.

[2] Having fallen into a state of disrepair during the 1970s and 1980s, the lido has since undergone renewal works, and was the subject of an enhancement project unveiled by the London Borough of Hillingdon in January 2010.

The project involved the return of boating and swimming in the reservoir, which had previously not been possible due to pollution and an artificially low water level.

[3] Engineer John Rennie and constructor Hugh Mackintosh opened the reservoir on 5 December 1811 as one of the feeders for the Grand Junction Canal.

[6] 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.

In the 1970s, the reservoir water level was artificially lowered to prevent the flooding of nearby housing, making it unsuitable for dinghy sailing.

It is said that the local council ran the lido into financial ruin in the 1970s by raising the admission fee beyond the level the market would stand.

[18] The engineering consultancy firm Halcrow Group presented a report to Hillingdon Council in April 2010 recommending a £250,000 flood mitigation scheme.