- Overall Rating: 5
- Location: Ellisfield, Hampshire.
- OS Explorer Map 144, 'Basingstoke, Alton and Whitchurch, Odiham, Overton and Hook'.
- Starting OS Grid Reference: SU654478
- Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 13' 32.52" W001 03' 54.58"
- Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU645460
- Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 13' 36.08" W001 04' 35.37"
- To see: bluebells!, the course of the Basingstoke and Alton Light Railway.
- ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

This is one of our favourite green lanes, especially in spring as when driving between Fryingdown and Whinkney's copses during the bluebell flowering season, the floor is literally a carpet of blue (see right, taken earlier in the year), and the smell is simply out of this world. Full marks awarded.
Although on this occasion we started in the north, we prefer driving this lane from south to north, as the slow descent towards Winslade with it's moss-lined banks and thousands of bluebells on either side make it a real pleasure. This article will therefore describe driving the lane when beginning in the south.
The lane soon turns further to the north east and enters Whinkney's Copse, where it descends into a slight, moss-lined cutting and starts downhill in earnest. Take care in the copse: there are numerous mature beech trees lining the lane which have protruded into the lane either with their roots or the trunks themselves. There is more than enough room to drive past, but make sure you take the correct line: sliding into the tree will damage both it and your vehicle. Which would suck.
For it's last 100m or so, the lane then becomes the driveway of a cottage at the foot of Poor Hill, and the lane ends where it meets the A339 in Winslade. A truly great byway in a relatively wild corner of Hampshire which in springtime becomes exceptionally, fragrantly beautiful.
View Winslade Lane in a larger map
2 comments:
I did this route tonight and it's a real cracker! The woodland is beautiful and both a fox and deer ran across in front of me. After all the rain recently it was a bit boggy but not terrible. Sadly looks like lots of people have been going off the path and damaging the banks though.
Thanks Nick! This truly is an exceptionally beautiful, relatively wild little corner of the country. I've updated the post with your findings.
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