Best foot forward as we continue on this small circuit around Ye Olde Village of Rislepe or to use the modern spelling Ruislip. The village of Rislepe was first recorded in the domesday book and records how it was a lnd for "20 ploughs". As you amble up this residential road take a moment to think back through time when this was all fields and eventually farmland. In Domesday book it records just 53 people which grew to 1000 in 1790. Due to the expansion of the railway - this triggered a building frenzy and if Wikipedia can be believed:
"Ruislip-Northwood experienced a significant rise in population, from 6,217 to 72,791, largely attributed to the extension of the railway". Given that HS2 is coming next - some might say this is set to decline! Whilst you are doing this little circuit may i also recommend you take the time to combine it with some neighbouring caches BWI and "any more old iron, any more..." and Ruilsip moat.
Many of you will be aware of Ruislips Lido as a water attraction but some of you may not be aware (unless you are a canal enthusiast) that the area is interesting because it is one of two major Grand Junction Canal feeders. It was around eight miles long and completed by 1816. The feeder's long length was responsible for its eventual downfall. The drop in levels between Ruislip and Hayes was quite minimal, causing a sluggish flow of water. It silted easily and required constant maintenance. The feeder was last used in 1851 to carry water that had been retained in the reservoir for the canal. However it continued as an emergency overflow from what was now called Ruislip Lido. It also carried excess water from local drains.
Part of the Hillingdon trail comes near parts if the feeder and certainly on your journey across the golf course you would have seen parts of the feeder and small bridges. Now you are coming to where 2 tunnels meet behind an iron fence lurks the canal feeder, which is crossed by the railway over top and underneath a rather bleak and damp looking pedestrian tunnel.