UCR: Sheepwash Lane

• Overall Rating: 2
• Location: West Wittering, West Sussex.
• OS Explorer Map 120, 'Chichester'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SZ786992
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 78' 70" W000 88' 60"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SZ797995
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 79' 00" W000 87' 00"
• To see: West Witterings beach.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

We started driving Sheepwash Lane at its western end, found on a sharp curve in Rookwood Road (the B2179) at its junction with Rookwood Lane just north of West Wittering. Sriking out from the junction in a north-easterly direction the byway is very well kept indeed, offering a compacted gravel surface and at (almost) all times the undergrowth has be kept cut well back. This is because it is signposted as an 'accessible' route offered as wheelchair-friendly.

On leaving the cottages behind, the byway is drained by ditches to either side, and soon  a footpath leaves to the east and shortly after the greenlane turns sharply to the east and continues on towards its terminus, via the moated farmhouse 'Redlands', on the appropriately-titled Redlands Lane. What else to say about this byway? It's short, simple, pleasant enough but not really worth going out of one's way to drive.

Chances are, if you've not heard of West Witterings beach then you either live outside of the south of England or have been under the proverbial rock. It's beautiful and very popular with surfers but, unfortunately, it's so nice that on a sunny Summer's day everyone from miles around has the same idea and descends on the place! Man, does it ever get busy... you've been warned.

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