BOAT: Whitmead Lane

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: Elstead, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 145, 'Guildford & Farnham, Godalming & Farnborough'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU893443
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 19' 10" W000 72' 30"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU884437
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 18' 50" W000 73' 60"
• To see: medieval bridges in Elstead and Tilford.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

A great greenlane, this one, even though it is pretty unremarkable in the scheme of things. Perhaps it's better for that, I don't know, but it doesn't detract from the experience all the same! It starts (at its northern end) in the car park of a pub called The Donkey. We've never been in as we've always been 'mid-session' whenever we've passed it, we've always wanted to since it looks pretty good. If anyone has any experience of it, let me know and I'll update this page.

Climbing up out of the car park, the lane truly begins just after leaving the driveway for a vast private house on the left which looks more like a railway station building than a private residence. A muddy surface with standing water in places during very wet weather, the lane is never-the-less well kept. A wall runs on one side which tends to keep back the foliage, but later in the lane when the wall is replaced by stake fencing, the foliage closes in a little. It's never dramatically bad however.

Winding it's way along the contours that form the steep northern bank of the River Wey, and following its course, the lane begins a very slight uphill climb towards its southern end, where it bursts out of undergrowth onto a very tight hairpin bend in the metaled country lane of the same name. A good drive which is made better due the proximity of Squires Hill Lane, a personal favourite.

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