UCR: Tinwood Lane

Location: Tinwood Ln, Chichester, West Sussex PO18, UK
  • Overall Rating: 3
  • Location: Crockerhill, West Sussex.
  • OS Explorer Map 121, 'Arundel & Pulborough'.
  • Starting OS Grid Reference: SU926078
  • Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 86' 20" W000 68' 60"
  • Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU911084
  • Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 86' 80" W000 70' 60"
  • To see: RAF Tangmere & museumBoxgrove Priory, Devil's Ditch, Boxgrove Pit 4x4 Driving Centre.
  • ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!
Tinwood Lane begins by striking out westbound at a crossroads on the unusually titled road 'Great Ballard School'. Initially on a tarmac surface, the lane passes some equestrian land (and a new house, by the look of it) as far as a wood with another unusual title: 'Van Diemens'. On entering the woodland the tarmac ends, the surface becomes mud and leaf mould intersected by tree roots and the green lane begins to descend downhill slightly. Encroaching foliage is never a real worry. At this point on the Ordnance Survey map it looks as though the UCR branches off and parallels the main track for a short distance, but judging by the number of 'Private' signs and locks on the metal gate this is apparently not the case!

Turning subtly southwards and then climbing back uphill, the byway crosses Boxgrove Common and then follows the boundary of an old quarry called Boxgrove Pit: now an off-road driving centre and the perfect venue to act like a vandal, rather than doing so on the green lanes! Further on still the track turns sharply to the north-west and quickly ends back on the tarmac after passing Keeper's Cottage. Not the most fascinating lane in the area, but worth a drive if you happen to be passing.

Historically, the immediate surrounding area is far more interesting. The legendary RAF Tangmere is situated just over the A27 to the south of this byway, not a huge amount remains other than the control tower and some taxiways, but it's museum is worth a look. Just to the west is Boxgrove Priory, a very pretty, large and old church built on top of an even earlier Anglo-Saxon one. To the north-west can be found part of the extensive Devil's Ditch, which is part of the Chichester Entrenchments dug in the iron age and are believed to be a defensive feature to protect the area from attacks by more northerly tribes. Boxgrove Pit 4x4 Driving Centre is open on the second sunday of every month.


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