Unlike the Southbank Beach and other similar pop-up destinations, the golden sands of Ruislip Lido are there all year round.
Swimming in the lake may not be permitted as there are no lifeguards on duty (which admittedly makes the 'lido' in Ruislip Lido a bit of a misnomer) but a miniature railway, 726 acres of ancient woodland, palm trees and a play area for children make it an ideal setting for a day out. Be warned that on sunny days it gets extremely busy and finding a spot to sunbathe in gets tricky, even more so finding a parking spot - just as well it's accessible by tube.
