UCR: Itchell Lane

• Overall Rating: 3
• Location: From Swanthorpe Farm to the hamlet of Well, near Long Sutton, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 144, 'Basingstoke, Alton and Whitchurch, Odiham, Overton and Hook'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU775479
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 13' 29.51" W000 53' 26.25"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU767472
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 13' 05.99" W000 54' 14.41"
• To see: not much
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

An excellent 'warm-up' lane, and a pleasure to drive. It's not in the least bit taxing and therefore most suitable for those new to this. If you're coming up from Bentley on the A31, this UCR can involve a bit of effort to reach, especially as the country roads leading to it are surprisingly (almost annoyingly) busy during 'rush hour'.

With that said, it's an easy going track with a decent gravel surface, turning to dry, unrutted dirt towards the western end. It is not especially long (around a mile or so), but it is wide and well kept with absolutely no ruts, and therefore it's an easy drive without any worry of damage to your vehicle.

After passing the turning into Quern Farm (approximately halfway down) a break appears in the trees and hedges lining either side of the lane, affording a beautiful view of Horsedown Common (pictured right).

If you fancy some well earned rest, you could do worse than check out The Chequers Inn, in the hamlet of Well, a 15th century pub with a log fire and an awesome 'out front' beer terrace. Perfect on a hot summer's eve.

View Horsedown Lane in a larger map