BOAT: West Street

Location: Burghclere, Hampshire, UK
  • Overall Rating: 4
  • Location: Whitway, Hampshire.
  • OS Explorer Map 144, 'Basingstoke'.
  • Starting OS Grid Reference: SU464597
  • Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 33' 50" W001 33' 50"
  • Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU460591
  • Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 33' 00" W001 34' 00"
  • To see: Didcot, Newbury & Southampton Railway, hill forts, Highclere Castle.
  • ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!
When taken in to account with Brick Kiln Lane, these two byways make a cracking drive (hence their '4' rating!). Starting at the northern end, then, this greenlane begins as a metalled country road serving some gorgeous country cottages and, eventually, Ridgemoor Farm. The tarmac soon ends and a twisting, hedge-lined, graveled/flint/chalk surfaced byway begins, heading up a gentle gradient. Sometimes grass has invaded the centre of the greenlane, and sometimes it hasn't, but it's easy going.

After a few hundred metres the two byways meet and cross one another, demarcated by a four-way finger board. West Street climbs sharply away to the south, and soon levels out to pass along well-kept field boundaries. On emerging, the view southwards really opens up to provide a stunning vista of Ladle Hill and its renowned, unfinished Bronze Age hill fort.

The byway soon starts heading sharply downhill for a fair way until shallowing off, twisting around a couple of bends and finally ending back on the tarmac just shy of Manor Farm. The surface is very easy going throughout, the hedgerows are kept well cut back, the greenlane is a very simple drive and it really is most suitable for any vehicle.

If you have brought 'her indoors' along for the journey, she may well be totally stoked out by a visit to Highclere Castle, which lies just to the west of this byway. You don't need telling that this is where they filmed Downton Abbey! For those with an interest in actual history, two highly impressive Bronze Age hill forts (Ladle Hill and Beacon Hill) are within easy striking distance of this greenlane, and both are unrivaled as picnic spots. Finally, the course of the former Didcot, Newbury & Southampton Railway (now dismantled) can be found paralelling the track to its east.

To Hampshire County Council this is Byway 39.

Statistics
Total distance: 1.90 km (1.2 mi)
Total time: 07:47
Moving time: 07:16
Average speed: 14.62 km/h (9.1 mi/h)
Average moving speed: 15.67 km/h (9.7 mi/h)
Max speed: 29.27 km/h (18.2 mi/h)
Average pace: 4:06 min/km (6:36 min/mi)
Average moving pace: 3:50 min/km (6:10 min/mi)
Fastest pace: 2:03 min/km (3:18 min/mi)
Max elevation: 204 m (671 ft)
Min elevation: 167 m (549 ft)
Elevation gain: 38 m (124 ft)
Max grade: 13 %
Min grade: -12 %
Recorded: 04/10/2013 16:07


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