This series of walks for 2026 is from the book Beyond the End of the Line by Jeff Lock. Each walk starts at the terminus station of London's eight underground lines. This one starts at West Ruislip on the Central line and explores Ruislip Woods and Ruislip Lido to finish at Northwood station.
The walk starts at West Ruislip station at the end of the Central line, a long trek from Central London and I didn't arrive until around 11.30. Very quickly into nice woodland where I joined the Hillingdon trail. This area is where the western portal of HS2 is and there was plenty of activity going on with some path diversions that didn't affect me.
A little way further and a junction of paths and the River Pinn is crossed.
Old Clack Farm which has its own red postbox outside. Then a stile which looked innocent but which I found quite a struggle to get across.
Another stream and increasingly narrow paths.
Ruislip Woods is entered and some very pleasant woodland.
Exiting the woods Ruislip Lido is reached, a large lake with all sorts of attractions.
Only a short stretch of the lake is walked but is very pleasant. The Cafe and other facilities are across the lake, I did not visit them.
At the Water's Edge pub the Lido is left and more open countryside is entered.
One of the attactions at Ruislip Lido is its 12 inch miniature railway. I was hoping to see some of this but the walk does not go past it. The nearest I saw was a view of Willow Lawn station through the railings. Afterwards a long walk through the woodland.
I missed a turn which would have taken me back towards the lake then through the woods to Northwood Hills station. I decided with the help of my satnav app to continue ahead and eventually came out of the woods, passed the golf course, and came close to Northwood station. From there another long trek back to London where I lunched at the Waterloo Wetherspoons before heading home.