UCR: Brick Kiln Lane

• Overall Rating: 2
• Location: Alton, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 144, 'Basingstoke, Alton and Whitchurch, Odiham, Overton and Hook'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU702405
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 09' 34.82" W000 59' 54.46"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU706392
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 08' 51.28" W000 59' 28.27"
• To see: source of the River Wey, Alton, the Watercress Line.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Aside from the beautiful view down the hill into Alton, there really is not much point in driving this UCR. Starting at the top of a hill, where a farm track branches off of Southwood Road, It is basically an average, metalled country road that has been allowed to fall into a state of disrepair. As such, short of the odd pothole and the odd storm channel crossing the lane, presenting a slight bump every so often, this lane is in no worse state of repair than some of our major roads!

The main item of interest in driving this lane, however, is that it finishes (when driving it southwards) very close to the source of the River Wey, in the town of Alton (pictured right). Certainly worth a quick stop to 'tick it off the list'.

Alton is a decent sized country town founded in Roman times. Where the Chichester-Silchester Roman road forded the River Wey a settlement named Vindomis was established in the second century AD. As such, the town has a very long history, featuring two battles (1001 and 1643), a Norman treaty, a plague, and countless other historical events which can be discovered in the excellent Curtis Museum (pictured below). The museum is worth visiting for the 'Alton buckle' (you'll have to visit to find out what it is!) alone, not to mention all the other fascinating artefacts from Alton's past. The northern end of the Watercress Line terminates here, an awesome steam railway running down to Alresford. A visit to the town can quite easily occupy your entire day!

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