BOAT: Kit Lane

• Overall Rating: 3
• Location: Ellisfield, near Basingstoke, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 144, 'Basingstoke, Alton and Whitchurch, Odiham, Overton and Hook'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU645453
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 12' 12.45" W001 04' 36.25"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU642440
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 11' 29.82" W001 04' 55.50"
• To see: not much.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Part of the Three Castles Path (like Longrodden Lane), Kit Lane is fast becoming overgrown in several places near it's centre section, as the holly has begun to encroach onto the lane to the point where scratching the paintwork will be unavoidable! High-pitched screeches will abound as the barbs introduce themselves to the sides and roof of your vehicle (see right). The surface is by no means easy going either: there are some quite severe ruts at the southern end (see picture, below), and a fair lump to descend (or climb, depending on which end you start from!) where an agricultural track crosses the lane at it's mid point. Other than the fact this lane is a relative challenge when compared to the average, it's not a bad drive. Don't take a Freelander down here however: it'll ground out.

Starting out southbound from Bell Lane in the hamlet of Ellisfield, Kit Lane initially passes between private gardens. These soon pass by on either side and the hazel and holly hedgerows that border the lane for it's entire length begin to close in. The lane then begins a slow descent from 185m AMSL, passing by a private track leading to Cooper's Farm to the east. Continue south, fighting the hedgerows and the uneven surfaces. The agricultural track mentioned above soon marks the lane's halfway point, and south of here the lane's surface becomes far more uneven. Care must be taken on the southern third in particular, as just before the lane finishes where it meets Bagmore Lane just east of Lower Common, the harshest ruts can be found. Get them wrong and you're quite likely to damage your car or, worse, the lane! A decent but tricky lane, to be avoided by beginners and with all those with pristine vehicles.

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