UCR: Bigpath Lane

• Overall Rating: 3
• Location: Street End, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 119 'Meon Valley'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU556200
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 97' 70" W001 20 80"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU544217
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 99' 20" W001 22' 60"
• To see: not much.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

We're not sure what the true name of this apparently un-named byway is, so (predictably) we called it 'Bigpath Lane' after the first cottage we saw. If you know better please comment below!

This is roughly a byway of two halves. Starting at it's southern end, this UCR leaves behind the gallops at Stephen's Castle Down from a reservoir and heads north-west on an earthen surface with only light rutting. Unfortunately, the encroachment of undergrowth is an issue in places and often an errant branch will register its protest at one's passage.

On a remarkably straight track, the byway undulates gradually and then suddenly descends steeply through fields of pigs towards the country road serving Bigpath Farm. About two years previous to this visit, the junction was so severely overgrown that it was impossible to push a path through the undergrowth but it has since been cleared and, although still tight, it is at least passable.

On crossing the road, the second half byway opens up far more. In a marked contrast with the first half of the byway, the wide, hard surface with the odd pothole shows that this half of the byway is in use far more frequently. It's very easy going! Bigpath Lane ends up back on the tarmac at Woodcote Farm, just north of Upham.

UCR: Green Lane

• Overall Rating: 3
• Location: Hambledon, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 119 'Meon Valley'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU619119
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 90' 40" W001 12 00"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU620125
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 90' 90" W001 11' 90"
• To see: nature!
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

We're not sure what the true name of this apparently un-named byway is, so (predictably) we called it 'Green Lane' after the first cottage we saw.
Perhaps 'Whiteflood Lane' would be more apt as there are two farms nearby with that word in their title but, to be fair, we were FAR too excited by the sighting of a little owl to give a stuff what its real title is. If you know better please comment below!

Starting at it's southern end, this UCR leaves Longwood Dean Lane on a northerly track along a tree-lined, tarmac driveway through some very pleasant countryside indeed. On passing the first cottage on the right (a beautiful house indeed) the byway is crossed by a footpath called the 'King's Way' and it is here that the UCR proper begins on a relatively hard, un-rutted surface. It's well kept: the undergrowth rarely if ever poses a threat to paintwork and it's easy going on the suspension. (How we wish we could always say that about UCRs!)

Continuing northwards the byway follows a field boundary before, without fanfare, arriving at another cottage called Lowe Whiteflood Farm where, to the left, Baybridge Lane departs for its short distance towards the village of Baybridge itself. It's fine to leave the byway at this point if you so desire as you wouldn't be missing much, but your intrepid explorers of course do not have such a luxury: we must press on!

And indeed the byway does press on for a short distance further in a similar manner, only this time only slightly more overgrown, towards its eventual embouchement back onto the tarmac of Belmore Lane at Whiteflood Farmhouse to the east of the village of Owslebury. It's not a great byway, but it does score higher due to the sheer amount of wildlife we spotted whilst driving it: a green and pleasant land indeed!

UCR: Kiln Lane

• Overall Rating: 1
• Location: Hambledon, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 119 'Meon Valley'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU619119
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 90' 40" W001 12 00"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU620125
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 90' 90" W001 11' 90"
• To see: The Chairmakers pub.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

This UCR is way too overgrown to bother driving. There is not even room for a trail bike in places, so damage to one's vehicle is guaranteed. Although the OS map technically shows a ford at the far more accessible northern end of the byway, at best it's barely a trickle so who cares?! And besides, within Kiln Farm dwell weird staring people who come out of their gate and glare! I doubt even they know why they do it... So get yourself into The Chairmakers and have a well earned pint and some top nosh instead of bothering with this byway.

In short: these are not the byways you're looking for. Move along.

UCR: Russell's Lane

• Overall Rating: 1
• Location: Hambledon, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 119 'Meon Valley'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU623150
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 93' 20" W001 11 50"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU625143
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 92' 50" W001 11' 20"
• To see: not much.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Like Roy, we don't know who Russell is either. But we christened this otherwise un-named byway after him as the house at it's southern embouchement saw fit to as well! But this UCR is way too overgrown to bother driving. There is not even room for a trail bike in places, so damage to one's vehicle is guaranteed. Further, the definitive maps show it to be a path and therefore it is debatable as to whether it even carries vehicular rights.

In short: these are not the byways you're looking for. Move along.

UCR: Roy's Lane

• Overall Rating: 1
• Location: Hambledon, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 119 'Meon Valley'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU618138
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 92' 10" W001 12 20"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU613147
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 92' 90" W001 12' 80"
• To see: not much.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

We've no clue who Roy is.

Despite a promising start (at its southern end at least) this UCR is way too overgrown to bother driving. There is not even room for a trail bike in places, so damage to one's vehicle is guaranteed. Further, the definitive maps show these to be paths and therefore it is debatable as to whether they even carry vehicular rights.

In short: these are not the byways you're looking for. Move along.

To quote 'A Bridge Too Far': 'This is the wide part!'.

BOAT/UCR: Homelands Lane/Stonylands Lane

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: Clanfield, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 119 'Meon Valley' or 120, 'Chichester'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU705191
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 96' 70" W000 99 70"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU683189 or SU690205
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 96' 60" W001 02' 80" or N50 98' 00" W001 01' 70"
• To see: source of the River Meon, Butster Hill and Queen Elizabeth Country Park nature reserves, Butster Ancient Farm, tumuli.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

 

Please note: this is a combined post covering both Homelands Lane and Stonylands Lane which, although separate, cannot be driven in isolation. Also note that we were unable to find the correct name for these byways so we christened them after the farms they serve. If we are wrong, please comment below!

We started our journey at the eastern end of these byways on a UCR common to both, just to the south of Butster Hill which is the highest point on the chalk ridge of the South Downs and the second highest point in the South Downs National Park. Heading along the lightly potholed driveway of crushed asphalt and rubble that serves Homelands Farm and descending gently downhill, Homelands Lane proper soon begins on passing the farm and, once the other byway passes by on the northern side, a simply incredible vista (inevitably marred by electricity pylons) opens up across the sheep-grazed valley to the north. It is the increasingly rare, unspoiled corners of the island such as these, folks, which make living in England great!

On a remarkably straight course forming part of the South Downs Way, the compacted earth surface of the byway is only lightly potholed and although the very occasional branch has designs on the paintwork, it is very well kept and a marked contrast to Stonylands Lane. On passing into Hyden Wood, some of the potholes still contained water and a few larger tree roots make progress slightly more interesting but it is never challenging in the slightest. At this juncture the byway passes the first tumulus, just south of the track. There are a few more just to the north on Hyden Hill and one at the western end of the byway. These tumuli are not particularly impressive but they are certainly excellent picnic spots and whilst you do so, spare a thought for the bronze age warrior buried beneath the soil mound at your feet. Whilst in Hyden Wood the green lane begins its slow descent towards its ending at Hyden Cross.

An alternative route is to turn right onto Stonylands Lane, and you will immediately regret having done so, even on a trail bike. This byway could not be more different from Homelands Lane. A steep descent takes the driver almost immediately into thick, chaotic undergrowth and believe me when I state that it really is hard going. If you have even the slightest inkling towards protecting your paintwork run as fast as you can in the opposite direction: this byway will rip you to shreds. For almost the entire descent blackthorn and hawthorn register their protest all down the side of your vehicle and the light ruts and utterly unnecessary barbed-wire fence (the hedge would stop a charging elephant!) make it absolutely impossible to avoid their clutches. The hell only stops once reaching the switchback turns which, when driving this byway southwards, lull one into a false sense of security given how easy going and carpeted in wild flowers they are. At its northern extremity the mental endurance test that is Stonylands Lane soon finishes on a metalled UCR serving both Stonylands and Preston Farm.

The source of the River Meon bubbles up out of the chalk just to the west of this end of the green lane and is also a stunning place for a picnic. Butster Hill and Queen Elizabeth Country Park nature reserves and the peerless Butster Ancient Farm are all most certainly worth exploring whilst you are in the area.

To Hampshire County Council these are Horndean Byways 43 and 44, combined here for convenience.

BOAT: Hook Park Road/Church Road

• Overall Rating: 1
• Location: Warsash, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 119, 'Meon Valley'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU509052
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 84' 50" W001 27 80"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU499047 or SU500054
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 84' 00" W001 29' 20" or N50 84' 70" W001 29' 10"
• To see: estuary of the River Hamble.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

© Copyright David Martin and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

There isn't really a great deal to relate about this byway. It's basically just an unadopted road/driveway running between 'The Nook and Cranny' pub and a ton of utterly-tasteless-yet-absurdly-expensive, inappropriately sited houses (you know the sort). Unbelievably, somebody hasn't built a golf course on the place, but I'm sure it is only a matter of time!

Starting in the east at 'The Nook and Cranny' then, this byway continues on a stone-covered or, at worst, unrutted compacted earth surface in a westerly direction. Almost totally unremarkable in every way, the byway curves ever southwards and passes the ubiquitous, now omnipresent equestrian facilities on the northern side whilst a high hedge obscures the view to the south.

Shortly after passing a footpath which leaves the byway to the west, another byway called Church Road leaves to the north. On our visit to this byway, Church road was almost totally impassable due to overgrowth and is therefore best avoided. Even trail bikers would have had a deal of trouble forcing through. We have no idea of the manner in which it crosses the small brook as we could not fit down it to find out! Anyone who has driven Church Road when it was in better condition please comment below! We continued south-westwards therefore and discovered that the byway soon ends back on the tarmac in the midst of the aforementioned 'retirement castles'.

Despite the estuary of the River Hamble being absolutely beautiful, there is nothing to recommend this byway from a greenlaning point of view and there are far better experiences to be had elsewhere on map 119.

To Hampshire County Council these are Byways 12a, 28a, 511, 512 and 519, grouped here for convenience.

BOAT: Green Lane

• Overall Rating: 3
• Location: Clanfield, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 120, 'Chichester'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU683180
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 95' 70" W001 02 30"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU692165
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 94' 40" W001 01' 60"
• To see: The Rising Sun pub.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

We drove this byway from the northern end. Starting where it leaves the country road between East Meon and Clanfield, the byway immediately plunges into trees. Their foliage does encroach onto the byway in places but it is never too far and seldom so bad that it becomes a stressful experience. The one proviso is that there is a very large fallen branch on the western edge of the track towards the end of the byway. When we visited it was completely hidden by stinging nettles and it claimed its due by leaving a large hole in a wheel arch. See the map for its precise location, and take care at towards southern end.

The surface of the byway is firm enough: compacted earth on top of chalk and is almost completely unrutted. Being an drove road, the byway does occasionally cause one to adopt an unusual attitude but it's never even close to being dramatic; indeed, it's an easy drive.

Continuing around the curves in a southerly direction, the byway is crossed by a footpath on reaching North Cottages, the denizens of which clearly value their privacy judging by the sign they have erected on a nearby tree! On crossing the byway the foliage closes in just a little (scratches and that 'nails on a balckboard' noise may result!) but it's clear enough and the green lane is relatively straight for the remainder of its run. It returns to the tarmac on Hambledon Road in Clanfield.

Celebrate a successful expedition by raising a glass of ale at 'The Rising Sun', a delightful pub just round the corner from this byway in Clanfield.

To Hampshire County Council this is Horndean Byway 702.

UCR: Habens Lane/Menslands Lane

• Overall Rating: 2
• Location: Hambledon, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 119, 'Meon Valley'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU637134
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 91' 70" W001 09' 50"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU639142
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 92' 40" W001 09' 20"
• To see: tumuli.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code! 

Starting off as the remains of a metalled road and quickly deteriorating to a flint rubble surface, Habens Lane strikes out uphill in a westerly direction. There is evidence of tyre tracks so, although the byway is by no means regularly used and the foliage is just beginning to encroach, it does see some use. It's pretty easy going, if narrow in places.

The byway soon levels off and turns briefly to the north before turning west again where a footpath crosses the track. On entering the southern tendril of the curiously titled 'Madam's Copse' a junction rears its head. The only realistic way onward for a 4x4 driver is to turn north on to Menslands Lane: Habens Lane passes through a quagmire that someone has quite obviously gotten stuck in previously: it's a right state, and after said quagmire the greenlane becomes blocked by a tree, making it slightly too narrow for a 4x4 to force past anyway. Nothing to see here, move along.

Menslands Lane offers a much easier time of it up through Madam's Copse, turns east and then back north, past the pond that lends its name to the byway. It ends up back on the tarmac at Glebeland Farm. It's not a great drive to be honest and hardly worth the bother of venturing out of one's way, hence the 2.

For those with an interest in history, three tumuli can be found in a field to the south-east of the eastern end of Habens Lane.

View Habens Lane/Menslands Lane in a larger map

UCR: Lycroft Lane

• Overall Rating: 2
• Location: Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 119, 'Meon Valley'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU587183
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 96' 10" W001 16' 60"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU585189
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 96' 70" W001 16' 80"
• To see: Bishop's Waltham Palace, The Crown Inn.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code! 

Yup, that's a byway. After you then...

This is an extremely overgrown byway and damage to paintwork is certain. It needs to be subjected to a thorough clearance program before it will become worth driving. Starting on Park Lane at Lycroft Farm, the green lane heads north-west for a matter of yards before turning on to a northerly track. The surface before the turn is pretty descent as it serves as the tarmac driveway for a joinery company, but on passing the premises the surface changes to mud and leaf mould and the hedgerows that line it close right in to the extent that at times it is impossible to see where you are going!

Lycroft Lane continues downhill through woodland with the foliage releasing its grasp only long enough for a bridleway to leave the lane northwards at roughly the half-way point. The respite only lasts a few metres before the undergrowth once again extracts its due for one last push before this short trail suddenly bursts out onto Dundrige Lane, where it ends (thankfully!). Quite the endurance test for such a short and unremarkable green lane, and as such you should listen to the squeals of protest from your paintwork and bypass it until cleared.

Instead visit The Crown Inn in Bishop's Waltham: well worth a visit for your post-lane victualing, but don't believe its website because far from being in the middle of the Hampshire countryside it is instead most firmly in the middle of the town. They also offer rooms for those from 'forn parts' (read Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett). Whilst you're there by all means explore Bishop's Waltham Palace: the awesome ruins of a medieval palace used by the ecclesiastical top brass of Winchester in the Middle Ages. Their museum (on site) is also worth a look but check opening hours first at it is only open at weekends.

View Lycroft Lane in a larger map

UCR: West Hoe Lane

• Overall Rating: 3
• Location: Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 119, 'Meon Valley'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU569175
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 95' 40" W001 19' 10"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU575181
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 96' 00" W001 18' 30"
• To see: Bishop's Waltham Palace, The Crown Inn, tumulus.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code! 

West Hoe Lane (even though it lies to the east of the 'suburb' of Bishop's Waltham called Hoe, but who are we to be pedantic?!) leaves another UCR called Jervis Court Lane in a northerly direction at a cluster of Victorian cottages. Initially on a gravel surface, the byway heads uphill along a field boundary and lined on each side by tall hedgerows. After around 400m the surface soon reverts to unrutted mud and the hedgerows close in, although it all looks like this summer's growth and does not present a serious obstacle. Indeed it is pretty likely, unless you are very unlucky, that you will get through without a scratch! We did.

On cresting the top of the ridge, the lane begins a gentle descent and plunges into woodland, which in this case is called Runnydown Copse, and is a patch of ancient woodland owned and maintained by the Woodland Trust (they are an awesome charity, and one you should seriously consider supporting!). The woodland is a little tight in places, and a washout runs straight down the middle of the surface (see picture above), but again there are no major obstacles. The byway turns eastwards on entering the wood, and after a short distance turns again sharply to the north and continues towards its terminus on Dundridge Lane. But before, completing this green lane, a cottage on the east side of the lane and a hedge to the west narrow in sufficiently to make one have to concentrate (see picture below)!

A tree-covered tumulus can be found in a field just to the south of the start of the byway. The Crown Inn in Bishop's Waltham is well worth a visit for your post-lane victualing, but don't believe its website: far from being in the middle of the Hampshire countryside it is instead most firmly in the middle of the town. They also offer rooms for those from 'forn parts' (read Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett). Whilst you're there by all means explore Bishop's Waltham Palace: the awesome ruins of a medieval palace used by the ecclesiastical top brass of Winchester in the Middle Ages. Their museum (on site) is also worth a look but check opening hours first at it is only open at weekends.

Tighter than it looks.

View West Hoe Lane in a larger map

UCR: Jervis Court Lane

• Overall Rating: 3
• Location: Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 119, 'Meon Valley'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU578173
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 95' 20" W001 17' 90"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU568174
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 95' 30" W001 19' 30"
• To see: Bishop's Waltham Palace, The Crown Inn, tumulus.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Jervis Court Lane is a byway that runs on an easterly track from the farm that lends its name to the lane in Upper Swanmore to the outskirts of Bishop's Waltham. Starting at the eastern end, after passing the farm this green lane transforms from a gravel track to  a pretty boggy mud surface, seemingly even after a prolonged period of dry weather. That said it has a hard base under the mud, and like most of the other UCRs in this immediate area it is very easy going to drive and the foliage never closes in.

The green lane follows some field boundaries past the cow sheds of Jervis Court Farm (make sure to bear to the right and refrain from entering the farmyard) and continues uneventfully and slightly downhill towards the outskirts of the pleasant Hampshire town of Bishop's Waltham. The track ends on Swanmore Road after branching southwards for a very short distance at some pretty gnarly Victorian country cottages and another northerly UCR called West Hoe Lane. At these cottages a tree-covered tumulus can be found in the field opposite, just to the south of the byway.

The Crown Inn in Bishop's Waltham is well worth a visit for your post-lane victualing, but don't believe its website: far from being in the middle of the Hampshire countryside it is instead most firmly in the middle of the town. They also offer rooms for those from 'forn parts' (read Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett). Whilst you're there by all means explore Bishop's Waltham Palace: the awesome ruins of a medieval palace used by the ecclesiastical top brass of Winchester in the Middle Ages. Their museum (on site) is also worth a look but check opening hours first at it is only open at weekends.

Bear to the right here when travelling eastbound.

View Jervis Court Lane in a larger map

UCR: Green Lane

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: Soberton, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 119, 'Meon Valley'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU592176
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 95' 50" W001 15' 80"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference:  SU582174
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates:  N50 95' 30" W001 17' 30"
• To see: not much.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Green Lane is a pretty cool green lane that runs on a westerly track between Soberton and Upper Swanmore, just east of Bishop's Waltham in Hampshire. Starting at the eastern end, the byway runs downhill past a pretty lush cottage into woodland. Following field boundaries, the track bottoms out after roughly 300m and this is the only place where it is the remotest challenge as the foliage closes in a bit and the gravel surface becomes a little boggy. But make no mistake, this is an easy and pleasurable lane to drive.

After negotiating the 'bog', the byway climbs uphill, offering a pleasant view southwards across the fields and towards the River Meon. It's a relatively steep ascent compared to the other green lanes around here (read: it's not too steep!) and is soon over. The lane then continues westwards, meandering lazily, until it eventually ends in the hamlet of Upper Swanmore. A very easy lane, but well worth driving, even more so when it is one of the best UCR's in an area with a high concentration of them.

A word of warning though (not that you need one by now, dear reader) is that this lane is also popular with equestrians, so should you meet one do us favour and behave with appropriate consideration and courtesy!

Equestrians rightly love this lane.

View Green Lane in a larger map

UCR: Cott Street Lane/Green Lane

• Overall Rating: 2
• Location: Soberton, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 119, 'Meon Valley'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU603173
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 95' 20" W001 14' 20"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference:  SU602155 or SU596168
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates:  N50 93' 60" W001 14' 40" or N50 93' 90" W001 15' 20"
• To see: Meon Valley Line.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Update 22/04/2015: According to the observations of a Mr. Tubbs (see below), apparently this byway has been subject to a clearance programme. It's still a bit tight, however.

Even though at its southern end this byway seems fine, what looks like a great byway on the map is in fact so over-grown at its northern end (by Midlington Farm) as to be impassable. Until a drastic amount of clearance has been undertaken it is best to avoid this green lane. 

It is, however, possible to 'do a loop' between the two southern ends, and it is a very easy going (and somewhat pointless) drive over fields on an earthen/gravel surface that quickly ends up just down the road from where you began! This is why the lane is rated as a 2 and not a 0.

The Meon Valley is a gorgeous place to visit in itself, but a good way to experience is it to walk, ride or cycle the Meon Valley Line, a former railway line that cuts through this beautiful area. The line itself succumbed to Dr. Beeching during his program of closures during the 1960's whilst the government of the daty were preoccupied with abjectly failing to serve the populace that vote for them (as, funnily enough, they still are today). If you're looking for a pub to fulfill you compulsory apres-lane tipple requirements then you could do worse than The Hurdles in Droxford, which was the old station hotel. Forgive their appallingly designed website...

The byway is on the left. Like a bad nightclub: you're just not getting in.

View Cott Street Lane/Green Lane in a larger map/div>

UCR: The Driftway/Crookhorn Lane

• Overall Rating: 3
• Location: Droxford, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 119, 'Meon Valley'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU621182
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 96' 00" W001 11' 70"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference:  SU614176
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates:  N50 95' 40" W001 12' 70"
• To see: Meon Valley Line.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

A simple green lane, this one, and a perfect one to 'warm up' with. From the northern end, the byway proceeds southwards from the B2150 through a gap in the hedge (marked with a wooden 'fingersign' reading 'Right Of Way'). On a very wide grassy surface (indeed this is one of the widest trails we've driven) running smack through the middle of the field, the farmer has left it unploughed and it is extremely easy going.

Eventually The Driftway changes status to a footpath and our UCR, now called Crookhorn Lane, jinks to the right and then the left, lined by well kept hedgrows. Finally the lane turns right (west) again and end back on the tarmac just short of Station Road.

The Meon Valley is a gorgeous place to visit in itself, but a good way to experience is it to walk, ride or cycle the Meon Valley Line, a former railway line that cuts through this beautiful area. The line itself succumbed to Dr. Beeching during his program of closures during the 1960's whilst the government of the daty were preoccupied with abjectly failing to serve the populace that vote for them (as, funnily enough, they still are today). If you're looking for a pub to fulfill you compulsory apres-lane tipple requirements then you could do worse than The Hurdles in Droxford, which was the old station hotel. Forgive their appallingly designed website...

View The Driftway/Crookhorn Lane in a larger map

BOAT: Greenway

• Overall Rating: 0
• Location: East Meon, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 119, 'Meon Valley. Portsmouth, Gosport & Fareham'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU668220
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 99' 30" W001 02' 10"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference:  SU704219
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 99' 20" W001 99' 90"
• To see: the beautiful Meon Valley, Old Winchester Hill.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Although shown as a BOAT on the OS map, this lane is subject to a TRO and closed to motorised traffic.

Old Winchester Hill lies just to the west, go check that out instead!

The sign may be down, but this lane is still closed!

View Greenway in a larger map

BOAT: Glen Road

• Overall Rating: 0
• Location: Sarisbury, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 119, 'Meon Valley. Portsmouth, Gosport & Fareham'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU506089
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 87' 70" W001 28' 30"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference:  SU506095
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 88' 30" W001 28' 20"
• To see: not much, unless you like motorways.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Although shown as a BOAT on Hampshire Council's definitive map, this lane is blocked by barriers at it's halfway point. I cannot find any details of a TRO.

UPDATE (02/03/2012): Actually, it is subject to a TRO for 'any motor vehicle having 3 or more wheels'. Trail bikers are therefore in the clear, but 4x4's are not allowed. Who knows why.

The barrier.

View Glen Road in a larger map

FORD: Pigeon House Lane

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 119, 'Meon Valley. Portsmouth, Gosport & Fareham'.
• OS Grid Reference: SU650076
• GPS Co-ordinates: N50 86' 40" W001 07' 80"
• To see: The Chairmakers pub for great food, the beautiful Meon Valley, the City of Portsmouth, the Napoleonic forts of Ports Down Hill.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

DANGER: there is a chance of your vehicle becoming stranded or damaged whilst driving this ford, even in the height of summer! (People have done so, trust me.)

Before even thinking of driving this ford (as you should any other), assess its depth by wading in with a measuring stick. Assess the depth of the water, the force exerted by it (the faster the stream, the more likely your car is to be washed away), and the nature and quality of the ford surface. Weight this against how likely you are to damage the watercourse, whether there is any evidence of damage from vehicles that have gone before, and make an informed and sensible decision whether to attempt a crossing. If there is even the slightest doubt, turn back.

In this instance, the surface consists of a concrete road surface providing easy passage through a tributary of the River Wallington. Take it slow enough to avoid damaging the ford and your vehicle, but just fast enough to avoid stalling the engine.

View Untitled in a larger map

UCR: Horsepost Lane/Sawyer's Hill

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: Denmead, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 119, 'Meon Valley. Portsmouth, Gosport & Fareham'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU664153 or SU668155
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 56' 03.25" W001 02' 22.27"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference:  SU662131
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 54' 50.59" W001 03' 32.26"
• To see: Hambledon cricket ground with the Bat & Ball pub, The Chairmakers pub for great food, the beautiful Meon Valley, the City of Portsmouth, the Napoleonic forts of Ports Down Hill.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Horsepost Lane

For the sake of convenience your intrepid explorer has merged the listing for these two lanes into one, as it is very unlikely that one byway would be driven whilst ignoring the other. As such, however, this review now details a lane very much of two halves.

Horsepost Lane, the northern-most half, has a choice of two starting points, both just south-east of Hambledon, a village often referred to as the 'cradle of cricket'. Check out the Bat & Ball pub too. The western start to the lane is probably the best, as driving to the more easterly one involves driving through Glidden Farm's farmyard, which could cause annoyance to the farmer, not to mention danger for yourself around the operating heavy farm machinery, for very little gain with regards to greenlaning. Best to avoid the farmyard itself as far a possible.

Heading south east from Glidden Farm, then, this greenlane is lined mostly by low hedgerows which never invade the lane. Horsepost Lane's two 'branches' merge where the lane changes direction and heads almost due south, winding it's way down the flank of Broadhalfpenny Down on a surface of chalk and gravel. Just south of a barn sited to the east of the lane, the UCR Pitt Hill Lane joins the lane from the west. Continuing its gentle decent downhill the lane twists and turns until it reaches the bottom of a shallow valley and Horsepost Lane techincally ends at the crossroads between it, the BOAT Harrowgate Lane and Sawyer's Hill. However, the obvious choice is to continue straight ahead.

Sawyer's Hill

After the crossroads Sawyer's Hill immediately plunges into high hedgrows which narrows the lane considerably, and for the first time those who do not want to collect scratches on their paintwork had better turn back. That said, it's never too narrow to impede progress (especially since your devoted explorers had a quick 'prune' to remove a most invasive branch!).

Whilst driving from south from the crossroads the lane initially climbs sharply up the side of the shallow valley on a surface of dry dirt and chalky gravel. At the brow of the hill the lane jinks slightly to the left and carries on almost straight, offering nice views across the Hampshire countryside, until it ends just north of the village of Denmead.

A great drive and on a sunny summer's day there is no better lane on offer in the immediate area. After you're finsihed for the day, head to either The Chairmakers or The Bat and Ball pubs, both marked on the map below (you may need to zoom out!).

Statistics:

Total Distance: 2.21 km (1.4 mi)
Total Time: 15:13
Moving Time: 10:00
Average Speed: 8.71 km/h (5.4 mi/h)
Average Moving Speed: 13.23 km/h (8.2 mi/h)
Max Speed: 28.86 km/h (17.9 mi/h)
Min Elevation: 113 m (371 ft)
Max Elevation: 164 m (539 ft)
Elevation Gain: 20 m (65 ft)
Max Grade: 2 %
Min Grade: -8 %

View Horsepost Lane/Sawyer's Hill in a larger map

UCR: Pitt Hill Lane

• Overall Rating: 2
• Location: Denmead, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 119, 'Meon Valley. Portsmouth, Gosport & Fareham'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU658140
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 55' 21.41" W001 03' 48.71"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference:  SU666151
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 56' 06.74" W001 02' 59.30"
• To see: Hambledon cricket ground with the Bat & Ball pub, the beautiful Meon Valley, the City of Portsmouth, the Napoleonic forts of Ports Down Hill.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Pitt Hill Lane is a short, easy going UCR just south-east of Hambledon, a village often referred to as the 'cradle of cricket'. Starting at its western end, just north of Pithill Farm, the lane carves its path atop the foothills of Broadhalfpenny Down.

Never much more than two occasionally ill-defined gravel tyre tracks either side of a grassy central separation, the lane winds its way 123' uphill with a high hedge on its left and a beautiful view over the shallow valley to its right. Despite the hedge's best efforts, encroaching vegetation is never an issue. After around a kilometre or so and just south of Glidden Farm with its microlight site, Pitt Hill Lane ends where it merges with Horsepost Lane, another UCR that runs roughly south-west towards Denmead.

On a fine summer's day there really are few lanes in this area offering a more pleasant drive. If only it were a touch longer it would score higher than a two.

Statistics:
Total Distance: 1.35 km (0.8 mi)
Total Time: 4:25
Moving Time: 4:24
Average Speed: 18.31 km/h (11.4 mi/h)
Average Moving Speed: 18.37 km/h (11.4 mi/h)
Max Speed: 27.96 km/h (17.4 mi/h)
Min Elevation: 117 m (382 ft)
Max Elevation: 154 m (505 ft)
Elevation Gain: 31 m (100 ft)
Max Grade: 8 %
Min Grade: 0 %

View Pitt Hill Lane in a larger map