BOAT: Monxton Lane

• Overall Rating: 3
• Location: Monxton, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 131, 'Romsey, Andover & Test Valley. Stockbridge & Ludgershall'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU317446
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 19' 90" W001 54' 80"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference:  SU319462
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 21' 40" W001 54' 50"
• To see: Bury Hill, Thruxton motor racing circuit, 
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Passing under the railway

Heading out north from Andover Road, which follows the course of the Portway (the Roman road running from London to Weymouth, via Silchester), this BOAT starts out from one of two possible beginnings just east of the village of Monxton. Both are protected from the flytippers by the height barriers that are prevalent in this corner of the Hampshire. It seems the residents of Andover love to dump!

The eastern-most entrance is far too overgrown to treat as anything but a footpath, and as such should be avoided. However, the western entrance offers a firm gravel surface and is wide enough to sail a battleship down, were there sufficient water. The lane winds its way gradually uphill through a small plantation of trees and for a short while the surface changes to bare earth with a grassy central area, before changing back to gravel. The eastern-most branch of the lane joins where Monxton Lane turns toward the north-west, which then heads almost dead straight between fields, save for a kink allowing the lane to pass through the under-bridge carrying the Andover-Ludgershall Military Depot railway (which is the old Midland and South Western Junction Railway).

On reaching the A303, the lane turns sharply to the right to parallel the dual carriageway along its southern border, and finishes where it meets Red Post Lane just south of Weyhill. On the OS map it looks as though the lane continues on under the A303, however this is not the case. The main road has simply been built over the course of the BOAT, severing its northern quarter and, in a feat of very poor planning, turning into a useless dead end.

Nearby, to the south-west, lies the ancient hill-fort of Bury Hill, which not only saw use continuing well into the Roman period, but also served as the camp for the famous King Canute in his war against the Anglo-Saxon King Edmund Ironside during the Battle of Andover way back in 1016. There is still a substantial earthen rampart and ditch remaining and it's worth a walk around the perimeter if you are interested in history.

Another good idea is to drop by to The Hare And Hounds pub, just up the road in Charlton Down. It's recently been refurbished and does great beers and better food. Well worth a visit.

King Canute's camp at Bury Hill

Statistics:
Total Distance: 3.51 km (2.2 mi)
Total Time: 10:05
Moving Time: 9:24
Average Speed: 20.85 km/h (13.0 mi/h)
Average Moving Speed: 22.36 km/h (13.9 mi/h)
Max Speed: 35.10 km/h (21.8 mi/h)
Min Elevation: 78 m (254 ft)
Max Elevation: 129 m (423 ft)
Elevation Gain: 55 m (180 ft)
Max Grade: 1 %
Min Grade: -5 %

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