UCR: Wadwick Bottom

• Overall Rating: 3
• Location: Wadwick, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 144, 'Basingstoke, Alton and Whitchurch, Odiham, Overton and Hook'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU432531
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 27' 50" W001 38' 20"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU436534  
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates:  N51 28' 60" W001 37' 60"
• To see: Egbury.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Don't be flummoxed: it's straight on here...

This partially-wooded byway starts where the tarmac ends in the hamlet of Wadwick, just after Wadwick House. Well maintained with regards to width, and on a lightly rutted surface of earth, grass and leaf mould, it's very easy going as it is used by farm machinery to access the surround fields.

Initially the lane is lined on it's western side by an attractive line of mature poplar trees, and as the UCR turns gradually through due north the trees slowly close in as Broadclose Copse passes on the eastern side. The lane again twists through north on a right hand curve this time and whilst the trees back off when passing a huge (ploughed, when we drove past, see pic above) field to the west, take care to take the correct lane. Clue: it's the less well defined of the two choices.

...and right here.

The trees soon declare victory as the byway enters the coppiced woodland of Stubb's Copse, and here the lane presents its second choice of the drive: make sure to take the correct path and turn 90 degrees to the east when reaching the northern edge of Stubbs' Copse. The byway now climbs gently uphill until it finishes up where it meets the un-named country road that heads north out of the hamlet of Egbury. A decent, easy-going lane, and well worth a drive.

For those with an interest in history, the Neolithic fort Egbury can be found away to the south of the lane. There's not a huge amount left, but it's worth a look anyway.

View Wadwick Bottom in a larger map