Earlier this month, we had a few days in a row that did not get above freezing and a dusting of snow. Since everyone is in lockdown, the public footpaths and trails have been exceptionally muddy. The freeze, at least, froze much of the mud into place so that it was easier to walk on. Ruislip Woods is comprised of nearly 730 acres of woodland to the north of Ruislip, and each area of the woods has its own name. I visited Copse Wood and Poor's Field on this visit. Mad Bess Woods is located across a busy road from Copse Wood in an area known as Duck's Hill.
Ruislip Woods is woodland located at the top of Ruislip and Ruislip Manor and located around three sides of Ruislip Lido. As mentioned, each area of the woodland have different names. Copse Wood is comprised of the largest area to the north of the lido and comprised of some areas of dense woodland on top of a hill. The lowest section of this area of the woods to the west was the former location of the Battle of Britain House, which was reclaimed by nature after the house burnt down in 1984. Park of Copse Wood is located on the summit of Duck's Hill with the north part of the woods downhill and a slight incline on the southern side toward the lido.
Poor's Field is located at the far eastern edge of the woodland, bordering Haste Hill Golf course and miniature railway station. This section of the woods is less woodland and more pasture land, and it is used for grazing.
South of the lido is primarily Park Wood, which runs north of the housing at the top of Ruislip and Ruislip Manor. Park Wood is the second largest section of the woods around the lido and is my favourite part of the woodland with some pleasant trails and streams running through the area. The smaller section to the west of Park Wood is Ruislip Common, making up a smaller section of Park Wood.
The photographs in this post are of Copse Wood and Poor's Field. There are a few main trails through Copse Wood with part of the area appearing to be newer woodland. With all of the rain freezing, a stream formed down the hillside on one of the trails in a sheet of ice.
The below image is at the edge of Poor's Field and Copse Wood.
Haste Hill station is a minature railway station that runs alongside Ruislip Lido.
The lido water was very high with some of the jetties and trees submerged.
The below three photographs are taken at the edge of Copse Field and Poor's Field by the main lido entrance and car parking.
This area of woodland, just north of the Battle of Britain House and toward the summit of the hill (Duck's Hill) has the older and denser woodland, and it makes a nice walk.
I think spring, summer, and early autumn will be more enjoyable visits to Ruislip Woods, and I will definitely be returning again.
More posts about Ruislip:
A Wintery Walk in Mad Bess Wood (Ruislip, West London)
A Snow Day in Ruislip
Visiting the Battle of Britain House Ruins in Ruislip Woods
Ruislip "Summer of 1939" Vintage Car Show
Ruislip Fairy Village
Easter in Ruislip (Easter Eggs & Duck Pond Markets)
Ruislip Lido Railway & Ruislip Woods Open Day
Leave a comment