BOAT: Whiteshoot Road

Location: Whiteshoot Road, Hampshire, UK
  • Overall Rating: 3
  • Location: Broughton, Hampshire.
  • OS Explorer Map 131, 'Romsey, Andover & Test Valley. Stockbridge & Ludgershall'.
  • Starting OS Grid Reference: SU286316
  • Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 08' 30" W001 59' 30"
  • Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU292340 
  • Finishing GPS Co-ordinates:  N51 10' 40" W001 58' 50"
  • To see: Broughton Down Nature Reservetumuli, course of a Roman road.
  • ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!
We chose to drive this remarkably straight byway from its southern end. Leaving the crossroads between Roman Road and Stony Batter Lane on a northerly track, the lane is a little tight with regards to the hedges that line each side of the lane, but on the balance it is well maintained and the surface of gravel makes it very easy going (except for your paintwork).

After a short distance our byway is crossed by another called Buckholt Lane, a similar greenlane that is also well worth a drive. You can elect to drive this lane or carry on uphill on Whiteshoot Road. After the crossroads it soon reaches its summit of 129m AMSL alongside Broughton Down Nature Reserve which lies to the east. From this spot, the lane offers some incredible views northwards across the rolling countryside towards the Wallops.

Plunging steeply downhill, right at the bottom of the slope the lane splits into two. Unfortunately the BOAT to the left is a dead end, as the very end of it has been classified as a RUPP and as such is closed to motor vehicles (so don't drive that bit of it!), but the greenlane to the right is fair game and ends in the farmyard of Broughton Down Farm, back on the tarmac that serves as a driveway between the farm and the A30. It's worth driving for the view!

The course of the Roman road which ran between Silchester and Old Sarum can still be seen just to the west of the southern ends of this byway, in the form of parallel embankments. Broughton Down Nature Reserve and its associated tumuli can be found just east of the greenlane, which offers incredible views northwards towards the Wallops.


View Whiteshoot Road in a larger map

No comments:

Post a Comment

Please keep it clean!

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.