BOAT: Treetops Farm

• Overall Rating: 3
• Location: Monkwood, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 132, 'Winchester New Alresford & East Meon'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU675313
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 04' 40.50" W001 02' 12.74"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference:  SU669309
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 04' 25.63" W001 02' 43.10"
• To see: the Watercress Line steam railway.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

This BOAT runs west from Charlwood Lane along a remarkably straight course. Running along a field boundary and bordered by hedges and mature trees that only very occasionally encroach onto the lane, the surface is unfortunately in some places quite rutted. Inside the ruts there are also some quite large tree roots that must be driven as slowly and carefully as possible to avoid damage to your suspension, tracking or steering. In places someone has dropped some builder's rubble into the ruts to try and repair the very worst of it, and has done a decent job at that. However, ground clearance will be a factor for a Freelander or similar in a couple of places.

A pleasant, if slightly challenging drive in places, the lane passes abeam Treetops Farm (hence the name of this lane, if anyone knows the correct name please comment below) on its straight course and then turns sharply to the south through almost 90 degrees as it skirts a disused pit. After the turn is made the lane turns into a metalled driveway for McGregor Polytunnels and ends where it meets Petersfield Road in the hamlet of Monkwood.

Just to the east of this lane, near East Tisted, and running south-east from SU685322 (marked in blue on the Google map below) lies a post-roman earthwork bank and ditch which runs for almost 2 miles. Also the old route of the Meon Valley Line, which is open to cyclists, horseriders and walkers (but unfortunately not Land Rovers!) runs through beautiful countryside from East Tisted and south eventually as far as Fareham. Both are worthy distractions from greenlaning.

Statistics:

Total Distance: 0.93 km (0.6 mi)
Total Time: 9:07
Moving Time: 5:09
Average Speed: 6.13 km/h (3.8 mi/h)
Average Moving Speed: 10.82 km/h (6.7 mi/h)
Max Speed: 25.20 km/h (15.7 mi/h)
Min Elevation: 231 m (758 ft)
Max Elevation: 242 m (794 ft)
Elevation Gain: 11 m (36 ft)
Max Grade: 0 %
Min Grade: 0 %

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