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: Lilley's Lane

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: South Warnborough, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 144, 'Basingstoke, Alton and Whitchurch, Odiham, Overton and Hook'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU592437
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 19' 00" W001 15' 30"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU600416
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 17' 00" W001 14' 30"
• To see: the view.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

 This byway starts south from a country lane just west of the village of Axford. With a fair bit of standing water present after rain, the hard chalk surface makes it relatively easy going even though occasional ruts and larger puddles can impede progress in places.

Climbing up a shallow gradient, the greenlane initially heads south-west but soon turns gently to the south and starts downhill, offering a gorgeous view over the Hampshire countryside as it does so. As the byway reaches Lilley's Copse a gravel track is encountered upon which one travels eastwards between hedgerows for a short distance before turning back to the south and leaving the gravel behind again for the light ruts. At every turn is a sign, erected by Hampshire County Council, making sure that there is no doubt as to which the correct track lies.

Heading southwards over gorgeous rolling countryside, the byway finishes all too soon back on the tarmac on the B3046 in Preston Candover, at 102m AMSL. A great byway, and well worth a visit.

To Hampshire County Council these are byways 7a, 15 and 501, combined here for convenience.

Statistics
Total distance: 3.16 km (2.0 mi)
Total time: 14:57
Moving time: 12:26
Average speed: 12.67 km/h (7.9 mi/h)
Average moving speed: 15.23 km/h (9.5 mi/h)
Max speed: 31.38 km/h (19.5 mi/h)
Average pace: 4:44 min/km (7:37 min/mi)
Average moving pace: 3:56 min/km (6:20 min/mi)
Fastest pace: 1:55 min/km (3:05 min/mi)
Max elevation: 203 m (668 ft)
Min elevation: 145 m (476 ft)
Elevation gain: 34 m (110 ft)
Max grade: 6 %
Min grade: -10 %
Recorded: 30/12 14:39

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BOAT/UCR: Mount Hermon Road

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: Over Wallop, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 131, 'Romsey, Andover & Test Valley'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU262401
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 16' 00" W001 62' 60"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU270369
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 13' 10" W001 61' 50"
• To see: Hawk Conservancy, Thruxton, long barrow.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

WARNING: The good old British Army has a training area immediately to the west of this byway. Do not stray into it, obey all signs and do not touch anything unusual!

(We had to guess at the name of this byway: if you know the correct name please comment below!)

This is one of the most westerly byways that falls within the remit of this website! Starting at the northern end, just south of the hamlet of Palestine (!), this long byway begins its journey at roughly 102m AMSL as a well used, well kept farm track; the muddy surface shows evidence of the tractors that use it to access the fields, but it could not be considered rutted.

Proceeding downhill, the greenlane soon reaches a junction: part of our byway heads off the the east and ends on the B3084 but this track is pretty overgrown. You'd have to really push a path through it and it is, as such, not worth the bother. Taking the southerly trail is a much more interesting option, and although the hedge that marks the westerly border of the byway is pretty overgrown it is not too hard to dodge the worst of it by taking a fractionally more easterly line whilst driving the greenlane (don't be tempted to drive on to the fields though: that is tresspassing!). However, the lack of any physical border to the east of the byway provides one with some wonderful views over to the hills to the south-east.

Pushing through the worst of the overgrown hedge our byway eventually reaches a second junction. This time, the path to the east is much better kept: a sparsely-graveled, relatively solid surface proceeds towards the B3084 and provides one with an option: finish here or push on southwards! We (obviously) chose the latter, especially since the western hedgerow has somewhat released its grip on the greenlane after this junction.

Onwards, the byway heads gently up the side of Suddern Hill on a very lightly rutted earthen surface with a strip of grass down the middle, and soon imperceptibly changes into a UCR. It ends on the A343, just est of the village of Middle Wallop. Well worth a drive, but stay well out of the Army's way!

The Hawk Conservancy, a bird-of-prey centre, is just fantastic. It's nearby to the north-east. Also to the north of the byway is Thruxton race circuit, should you desire to travel at a somewhat faster pace than that offered by greenlaning! To the east of the byway, just after the second junction, those with an interest in history may find a large, Neolithic long barrow. It has, however, been mostly ploughed away.

To Hampshire County Council these are Byways 11, 12, and 13, combined here for convenience.

Statistics
Total distance: 3.54 km (2.2 mi)
Total time: 15:35
Moving time: 13:30
Average speed: 13.61 km/h (8.5 mi/h)
Average moving speed: 15.70 km/h (9.8 mi/h)
Max speed: 27.61 km/h (17.2 mi/h)
Average pace: 4:25 min/km (7:06 min/mi)
Average moving pace: 3:49 min/km (6:09 min/mi)
Fastest pace: 2:10 min/km (3:30 min/mi)
Max elevation: 155 m (508 ft)
Min elevation: 131 m (429 ft)
Elevation gain: 42 m (139 ft)
Max grade: 6 %
Min grade: -5 %
Recorded: 04/10/2013 18:17

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BOAT: West Street

• 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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BOAT: Brick Kiln Lane

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: Whitway, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 144, 'Basingstoke'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU475592
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 33' 10" W001 31' 80"
• 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 West Street, these two byways make a cracking drive (hence their combined '4' rating!). Starting at the eastern end, then, this greenlane begins as a graveled/flint/chalk surface departing westwards from an unusual 'island' in a country lane, and soon gets stuck in to a gentle uphill 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 course of the byway crossed a brick bridge over the former Didcot, Newbury & Southampton Railway (now dismantled; the track bed now serves as part of the Brenda Parker Footpath) and finishes its climb before plunging down to where the two byways meet and cross one another, demarcated by a four-way finger board. Brick Kiln Lane climbs away to the west, and soon levels out to pass along more well-kept field boundaries.

The byway eventually then starts heading gently downhill for the remainder of its course until ending up back on tarmac serving as a driveway for a couple of houses (including one called 'Brick Kiln', which gives this greenlane its name) and finishing just shy of the bridge over the A34 granting access to Highclere Castle. The surface is very easy going throughout, the hedgerows are kept well cut back, the greenlane is a very simple, non-technical drive and it really is most suitable for any vehicle in all weathers.

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 over the bridge 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 both within very easy striking distance of this greenlane, and both are unrivaled as picnic spots.

To Hampshire County Council this is Byway 38.

Statistics
Total distance: 2.08 km (1.3 mi)
Total time: 10:47
Moving time: 08:08
Average speed: 11.55 km/h (7.2 mi/h)
Average moving speed: 15.30 km/h (9.5 mi/h)
Max speed: 34.23 km/h (21.3 mi/h)
Average pace: 5:12 min/km (8:22 min/mi)
Average moving pace: 3:55 min/km (6:19 min/mi)
Fastest pace: 1:45 min/km (2:49 min/mi)
Max elevation: 224 m (736 ft)
Min elevation: 159 m (522 ft)
Elevation gain: 68 m (223 ft)
Max grade: 10 %
Min grade: -6 %
Recorded: 04/10/2013 16:18

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BOAT: Snailing Lane

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: Hawkley, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 133, 'Haslemere & Petersfield'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU761292
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 05' 80" W000 91' 40"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU754287
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 05' 30" W000 92' 50"
• To see: Hawkley Inn.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Update 28/05/15: Apparently (see comments below) the hole in this byway has reached a depth of 6'. Avoid, because it's ridiculous.

NB: This is a very hard, technical lane. If you have even the slightest doubt about your capabilities or that of your vehicle, DO NOT drive it, as you WILL get stuck here.

We're not lying: it really is a mess.

This is a short byway, yes, but do not let that deceive you! It's is damn hard going. Starting from its northern end, where the metalled section of Snailing Lane meets on a curve with Upland Lane at Primmers Cottage, the byway itself is very easy going initially. On a south-westerly course the green lane lulls one into a false sense of security as the earthen surface is solid and unrutted, the foliage is well kept and its a dead straight track.

However, on reaching the mid point of the lane the surface takes a real turn for the worse. I am not exagerating when I write here that there are a series of gigantic 'bomb-holes' in the surface of the green lane, with the worst being the last (when travelling westbound as we were). See the picture below with your intrepid explorer assessing the best course of action: for scale he is 6' tall precisely. To make it worse, if one tries to circumvent the largest hole (you may pass with difficulty to the south) a partially fallen tree blocks progress, presenting a further obstacle and a wonderful opportunity to damage one's vehicle. If we had entered the hole we would not have gotten out without assistance either from a winch or a friendly farmer's tractor, and bearing in mind this was in a dry spell and there was not so much as a puddle to be found (even so the surface was still very soft). May providence preserve us in wet weather! To this end I propose that users of this website adhere to a voluntary restriction order so it doesn't get any worse: don't drive it in winter, or during or after a spell of wet weather.

Once through (should you be lucky) the lane continues as easy going as it started, and soon ends on Hawkley Road, just south of the very pleasant village of Hawkley. Phew! Go and get yourself an excellent, well earned ale in the Hawkley Inn, a great country pub.

To Hampshire County Council this is Hawkley Byway 25. This byway is also featured in Land Rover Owner International magazine's November 2012 issue as byway number 14.

Here's the worst of it, in the dry.

Statistics:

Total distance: 0.89 km (0.6 mi)

Total time: 24:25

Moving time: 19:59

Average speed: 2.19 km/h (1.4 mi/h)

Average moving speed: 2.67 km/h (1.7 mi/h)

Max speed: 12.60 km/h (7.8 mi/h)

Average pace: 27.43 min/km (44.2 min/mi)

Average moving pace: 22.46 min/km (36.2 min/mi)

Fastest pace: 4.76 min/km (7.7 min/mile)

Max elevation: 149 m (490 ft)

Min elevation: 128 m (420 ft)

Elevation gain: 21 m (69 ft)

Max grade: 0 %

Min grade: 0 %

Recorded: 02/07/2013 15:47

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BOAT: Mead Lane/Milky Way

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: Buriton, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 120, 'Chichester'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU746203
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 97' 80" W000 93' 80"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU749195
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 97' 10" W000 93' 30"
• To see: Buriton.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

A tough byway, this one! Starting from Pitcroft Lane, just east of the beautiful village of Buriton (well worth a visit in its own right) this greenlane proceeds on a surface of chalky earth. It's a little rutted in places and it is most certainly not smooth: we were bumping around all over the place! The byway passes along the eastern boundary of the grounds of the beautiful Buriton House (tastefully done large houses are getting rarer these days it seems...) in a hollow way and then begins a gentle climb up towards Cockshot Wood.

Just after entering Cockshot wood the byway turns through 90 degrees and heads almost due east, and here the gradient becomes considerably steeper. During the climb, at the time of year we drove the lane, the wild garlic (Allium ursinum) has gone crazy and the smell is almost too much. There is a literal sea of the stuff, and it's white flowers don't need a great leap of imagination to work out where one of its common names, Milky Way, came from.

However, this climb is also where the byway presents its biggest challenge. Whether through overuse or water damage (or both), there are some very large potholes around half-way up. They accounted for us: we could go no further with the status quo so we had to get out and recover as many sticks, branches and boulders as we could find (the ground being too hard to dig) and work hard filling in the holes with them, so that on the 6th attempt (!) our traction control hauled us through it. If one was driving this byway westbound there would be no problem as gravity would pull one through, but uphill it's a real task and in wet weather it may well be impossible. Therefore: do not drive this green lane eastbound unless it is dry and you are confident in both your abilities and those of your vehicle.

After a pleasant climb through beautiful woodland this lane ends without further ado on an unnamed country road just north of Coulters Dean Farm, a full 207' higher than when we started.

To Hampshire County Council these are Byways 18 and 19, combined here for convenience.

Statistics:
Total distance: 1.30 km (0.8 mi)
Total time: 24:46
Moving time: 24:34
Average speed: 3.14 km/h (1.9 mi/h)
Average moving speed: 3.16 km/h (2.0 mi/h)
Max speed: 12.60 km/h (7.8 mi/h)
Average pace: 19.13 min/km (30.8 min/mi)
Average moving pace: 18.97 min/km (30.5 min/mi)
Fastest pace: 4.76 min/km (7.7 min/mile)
Max elevation: 196 m (642 ft)
Min elevation: 133 m (435 ft)
Elevation gain: 73 m (238 ft)
Max grade: 0 %
Min grade: 0 %
Recorded: 06/06/2013 17:38

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BOAT: Pigeonhouse Lane

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: Broadmere, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 144, 'Basingstoke, Alton and Whitchurch, Odiham, Overton and Hook'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU624475
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 22' 40" W001 10' 70"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU622467
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 21' 60" W001 11' 00"
• To see: Broadmere Church.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

We really did choose the right time of year to drive this byway, as at the northern end the land is bordered on both sides by huge amounts of wild garlic (Allium ursinum). The smell is simply unbelievable!

Starting on tarmac in the hamlet of Broadmere, the greenlane starts off as a very short section of UCR that skirts around the north of Broadmere Church. On entering woodland the BOAT begins in earnest, the surface changes from tarmac to grass. This green lane is incredibly wide, probably one of the widest we've ever seen, and no doubt needs to be as it serves the farm machinery of Home Farm at the southern end of the byway.

Heading south on this very easy yet pleasant byway, the chief attraction (in Spring at least) is to watch the natural world go by as one drives along, even more so as the copse is a remaining fragment of ancient woodland rich in biodiversity. After just over a kilometer the byway enters the farmyard of Home Farm and ends on Grammarsham Lane.

To Hampshire County Council this is Byway 10.

Statistics:
Total distance: 1.18 km (0.7 mi)
Total time: 06:08
Moving time: 06:07
Average speed: 11.49 km/h (7.1 mi/h)
Average moving speed: 11.52 km/h (7.2 mi/h)
Max speed: 25.20 km/h (15.7 mi/h)
Average pace: 5.22 min/km (8.4 min/mi)
Average moving pace: 5.21 min/km (8.4 min/mi)
Fastest pace: 2.38 min/km (3.8 min/mile)
Max elevation: 247 m (812 ft)
Min elevation: 232 m (761 ft)
Elevation gain: 18 m (58 ft)
Max grade: 6 %
Min grade: -4 %
Recorded: 21/05/2013 15:01

Broadmere Church

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BOAT: Quarry Lane

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: Weavers Down, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 133, 'Haslemere & Petersfield'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU836305
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 06' 80" W000 80' 70"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU844306
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 08' 00" W000 76' 60"
• To see: Hollycombe Steam Collection.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Starting from Portsmouth Road (B2070) at Wheatsheaf Common (complete with its tumulus) our byway heads southwards down the drive of a cottage. When we visited (15/02/2013) there was resurfacing work being done by the golf course at this point, but was only scheduled to last a month or so.

Go left here.

Very quickly the lane passes under a railway bridge that carries the Waterloo-Portsmouth main line and continues on a solid, wide earthen/grass lined surface around a corner towards junction presided over by an electricity pylon. Here, take the left-hand (southern) branch (the right simply leads onto the golf course) and travel down it for another 100m or so. Presently the byway reaches precisely 102m above sea level, and marked by a sign the byway turns hard to the east (see picture, right) ahead is a footpath despite the tyre tracks: don't drive on it) and plunges into woodland. The undergrowth at this point is a non event even though it does close in later on, but what does present a challenge here is a pretty deep, well, pond I guess! It had been relatively dry for a couple of weeks beforehand but even so this was still a fair quagmire! It does have a solid bottom, however, and we got through without too much effort.

Go left here too!

 After the 'pond' the byway is somewhat disguised by a field entrance. Tractors clearly go out of one field and into another across the byway and it can get pretty churned up, but its obvious enough where the byway leads along an 's' turn, first left and then right.

The green lane starts then uphill on a comparatively degraded, rutted muddy surface and the going gets a little harder and more technical. This is made harder by the fact that some huge trees have fallen over the track, and although they have been sawn clear there are still mighty stumps
that narrow the lane sufficiently to create a decent narrow obstacle, especially since in places the holly is closing in. Take care, and expect the odd scratch on the paintwork!

After climbing for a further 27m AMSL the gradient shallows out and the lane turns towards the north. Some bamboo from the back gardens that border the byway has gone absolutely mental here (it REALLY needs to be cleared, Mr. Homeowner) to the point where it stretches almost completely across the lane, but our Defender brushed past it with aplomb. The green lane then ends on Midhurst Road, just south of Liphook. Not a bad lane at all! Nearby to the south can be found the Hollycombe Steam Collection, a great day out if you have kids.

This is technically an unnamed byway so we christened it Quarry Lane, y'know, for the kicks. But according to Hampshire County Council this is Byway 44.

The 'pond', looking west.

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FORD: Tulls Lane

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: Standford, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 133, 'Haslemere & Petersfield'.
• OS Grid Reference: TQ816347
• GPS Co-ordinates: N51 10' 60" W000 83' 50"
• To see: not much.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

You can find this gravel- and sediment-bottomed ford over the River Wey at the very western end of the metalled Tulls Lane, in the village of  Standford. An iron footbridge with associated depth marker runs along the northern side of the ford. It can get pretty deep in flood, and has an average depth of 2 feet in summer. Don't even try to drive it when it's in flood.

Literally just up the road you can find the even better Lindon Ford. Why not combine the two with one visit?

This ford is also featured in Land Rover Owner International magazine's November 2012 issue as byway number 9.

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BOAT: Inchreed Lane

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: Crowborough, East Sussex.
• OS Explorer Map 135, 'Ashdown Forest'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: TQ533272
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 02' 30" E000 18' 50"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: TQ524272
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 02' 40" E000 17' 10"
• To see: pillbox.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Update 13/01/2014: from 28/12/2013 this byway is subject to a 6-month TRO and is as such closed to all traffic except pedestrians! We can only presume this is due to erosion on the banks of the ghyll caused by the recent flooding, which is therefore impeding safe progress. We shall see whether or not it re-opens to everyone in the future, but for now: avoid.

A great green lane this one, and it comes highly recommended by us!

Starting at the western end, the byway leaves Hadlow Down Road on a south-easterly track. At this end, to no doubt prevent scum from fly-tipping, the lane is protected by two vertical railway sleepers spaced just far apart enough to squeeze a Land Rover Defender through, but certainly nothing wider. Once past this obstacle, the byway starts in earnest on a mixed surface of stones, rubble, leaf mould and mud. It's not hard going as it's never remotely rutted, it's well drained and the hedgerows and mature trees that line the lane are well cut back.

Cruising downhill the track turns to the east, and at its nadir, the byway crosses the ghyll which lends its name to the lane on a seemingly ancient stone bridge. On crossing the ghyll at this pleasant spot the green lane turns the corner sharply to the south, heads uphill, and almost as immediately turns back to the east and continues past a farmhouse to its termination on Steep Road, just south of Derridge Corner Wood. At this end of the lane the junction is managed (and therefore protected) by the same railway sleepers found at the western end, and also a large stainless steel gate which on the day we visited was unlocked, making life simple.

As a final note, your intrepid explorers cleared up a decent amount of dumped refuse which we took to the recycling banks in nearby Crowborough. If you care about both the countryside and our chosen leisure pursuit we humbly request that you do the same!

A great green lane this, and a pleasant drive. It only misses out on a 5 as it is not quite long enough to join the elite. For those with an interest in the Second World War, a brick-built pillbox can be found just past the barriers at the western end of the byway.

This is East Sussex Country Council's Byway 'Rotherfield 8'.

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BOAT: Stancombe Lane

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: Shalden, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 144, 'Basingstoke, Alton and Whitchurch'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU713424
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 17' 60" W000 98' 20"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU697420  
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 17' 30" W001 00' 40"
• To see: Watercress Line, Alton.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

This is a great byway, if a little overgrown in places. Starting on Old Odiham Road, the green lane leaves on in a westerly direction. The track itself follows the northern boundary of Alton Golf Course and initially descends steeply downhill on a surface of roughly strewn rubble and mud. Passing through woodland, at the bottom of the hill the lane turns sharply northwards, and at this point it becomes quite challenging.

Tricky part: If you get your line wrong you will hit one of two mature trees that have grown fairly close together. Normally they would not be problem but being on a bend it took two goes to get our Defender 110 through without damage. Once past the trees a very steep (but short) climb awaits, although with a squeeze of power it is relatively straightforward.

At the top of the rise the byway once again turns sharply back to the west and starts and ever steepening descent between the northern boundary of the golf club on the wire-fenced southern edge of a field. The track here is lightly rutted and rather less lightly overgrown on the southern side: scratches are unavoidable but it is not as bad as some lanes we've driven! Once past the field the lane turns to the right and starts a steep, rutted descent downhill which can be slippery when wet (HDC equipped Land Rovers will lap this up!) towards New Odiham Road. Take care crossing the road here as the traffic fair whips past.

Across the road the lane acts a metalled driveway for some cottages. On reaching the last one (called Stancombe if memory serves) the longer and far less technical portion of the byway begins forking out to the left-hand side of it's graveled drive. Heading gently uphill this green lane is becoming a hollow way in places due to usage over the centuries. A pleasant tree-lined drive ends all too soon at Holme Farm in the hamlet of Shalden. We recommend driving it as long as you don't value your paintwork too highly!

When you're done go and visit Alton instead, and perhaps take a trip on the awesome Watercress Line steam railway. This is Hampshire County Council's Byway 11 and 12, treated as one entry through logic and convenience.

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BOAT: Ruggles Lane

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: Argos Hill, East Sussex.
• OS Explorer Map 135, 'Ashdown Forest'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: TQ563287
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 03' 60" E000 22' 80"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: TQ559277
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 02' 80" E000 22' 20"
• To see: the view.  
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

I'm not sure if the name of this byway is correct as I could not find one on the map, but in absense of a name I have called is Ruggles Lane after the farm it runs past.

Starting at the northern end, leaving the B2101 at the Sheriff's Lane junction, this great byway follows filed boundaries on the western side of the lane. It's a little overgrown with foliage, but there is nothing 'hard': it was all this years growth and nettles/teasels where the worst of it. That said, this green lane is also lined with mature trees that, although they pose nearly no obstacle, must still none-the-less be negotiated.

The byway heads downhill on a shallow gradient and an unrutted surface of compacted earth, affording an extremely pleasant view across rolling fields. A few houses, a green house and an agricultural building pass to the east and the gradient then steepens downwards towards a very shallow ford in the River Rother that is not marked on the OS map. On fording the river (it's barely a stream at this point) the lane then climbs uphill and turns sharply to the west. This byway then ends on Five Ashes Road. A great, simple byway in a very beautiful area.

What green laning is (mostly) all about.

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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.

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BOAT: Water Lane

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: Alton, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 133, 'Haslemere & Petersfield'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU740369
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 12' 70" W000 94' 40"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference:  SU729384
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates:  N51 14' 10" W000 96' 00"
• To see: Watercress Line, Alton, tumulus.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

NB: this is an extremely hard, technical lane, with a very high probability of damage to your vehicle. Only drive this lane if you are an experienced, confident driver.

Update 19/04/2016: According to a comment below, this byway has benefited from a comprehensive programme of works. We have not been able to verify this, so we presume the status quo prevails. If anyone has any further information, perhaps with some pictures, we would relish the chance to update this post!

Starting in the pleasant hamlet of West Worldham at the southern end of this relatively long greenlane, Water Lane begins life as an innocuous, comparatively well maintained byway on a hard surface of coarse gravel and leaf mould. The hollow way descends as progress is made northwards, with earthen banks and foliage lining the lane to each side. For those with an interest in the Neolithic a tumulus (with little to be seen above ground) can be seen on a footpath just to the west of the start of the lane, in Little Copse Wood.

Lots of this...

This state of affairs does not last, however. A few axle-twisters must be negotiated, none of which are extremely dramatic at this point, but none-the-less take a bit of work and planning to get through and your vehicle will assume some relatively interesting attitudes. After around five minutes of driving, all of a sudden greenlaners will encounter a mass of dumped rubble, and onwards from here are when the real challenges begin. This rubble serves as a firm platform for the farmer to get across this green lane with their machinery from one field to the next, which would otherwise be very hard to do, but it also means that we must negotiate it! We paused and shuffled some rubble around a little in order to improve our chances of getting over it unscathed, which was a (somewhat bumpy) success.

...and a lot of this!

However, the trail now truly lives up to its name. Even during a relatively dry spell the byway was awash with water. It literally seems as though the small brook that parallels the track to the east (called the Little Caker Stream, I believe), has realigned itself to flow directly down the byway and as such the surface is a washed out nightmare of axle-twisting side-slopes, not helped by the fact that mature trees regularly invade the lane and must be negotiated, literally down to the millimetre in some cases. This is not easy given that byway is so narrow and in such poor quality that it is practically impossible to change your path to avoid obstacles (as we found to our cost on a particularly indolent mature tree!). The only thing in its favour is that the surface is pretty firm throughout: deep mud is rare, surprisingly.

The byway ends, after a thorough workout of both driver and vehicle, just short of the market town of Alton. Drive over Little Caker Bridge and enter the driveway to Kiln House. Turn right and head up towards the B3004. Not that you'd want to continue driving after that nightmare, but you can't go any further despite appearances as the BOAT is reclassified as a bridleway. Go to the pub instead, in this case The French Horn in Alton.

Alton is a decent sized country town founded in Roman times. Where the Chichester-Silchester Roman road forded the River Wey a settlement named Vindomis was established in the second century AD. As such, the town has a very long history, featuring two battles (1001 and 1643), a Norman treaty, a plague, and countless other historical events which can be discovered in the excellent Curtis Museum (pictured below). The museum is worth visiting for the 'Alton buckle' (you'll have to visit to find out what it is!) alone, not to mention all the other fascinating artefacts from Alton's past. The northern end of the Watercress Line terminates here, which is an awesome steam railway running down to Alresford. A visit to the town can quite easily occupy your entire day!

The ramp. You can see where we packed out the ascent on the right.

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BOAT: Rockey Lane

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: Thursley, Surrey.
• OS Explorer Map 133, 'Haslemere & Petersfield'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU896385
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 13' 90" W000 72' 00"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference:  SU890386
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates:  N51 14' 00" W000 73' 00"
• To see: Vanhurst Copse.  
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

NB as of 13/07/14 this byway has been cleared the fallen tree which blocked it. Enjoy. 

This is an absolutely fantastic, if technical, greenlane. Starting from the eastern end, the byway begins by leaving the metalled lane of the same name by a large cottage and immediately plunges down a very steep decline. Care must certainly be taken here as the sandy surface is firm in dry weather but it is also a little rutted and as such the descent is a little trickier than it would otherwise be. Encroaching foliage is seldom a problem.

The lane bears to the right as the descent shallows out a great deal, but continues downhill around Vanhurst Copse, a patch of ancient woodland owned and maintained by the Woodland Trust (they are an awesome charity, and one you should seriously consider supporting!). Unmarked on the Ordinance Survey map, but none-the-less very real, at the nadir of this lane lies a shallow ford with a footbridge on its northern side, lined with posts. This ford has a gravel bottom and is never a threat other than after seriously heavy rains, but it is always wise to get out and check your path on foot if there is even the slightest doubt. (Update, 04/01/2014: After heavy rains the ingress/egress of the river has become more tricky: see comment below.)

On fording the ghyll, the lane heads ever-more-sharply uphill and winds around the hill on to a more westerly track, ending eventually on the hard surface of the driveway of Ridgeway Farm. A great lane, if a little short, and it is certainly a challenge!

This byway is also featured in Land Rover Owner International magazine's November 2012 issue as byway number 1. It has also been called Ridgeway Farm Road and Hyde Lane, as well as BOAT 92A by Surrey County Council.

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FORD: Palesgate Lane

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: Crowborough, East Sussex.
• OS Explorer Map 135, 'Ashdown Forest'.
• OS Grid Reference: TQ541299
• GPS Co-ordinates: N51 04' 70" E000 19' 70"
• To see: not much.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

This ford over the Jarvis Brook, on the outskirts of Crowborough, has a concrete bottom and is always a very easy drive other than when the river is in flood.

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BOAT: Bletchinglye Lane

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: Mark Cross, East Sussex.
• OS Explorer Map 135, 'Ashdown Forest'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: TQ575300
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 04' 80" E000 24' 60"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: TQ583300
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 04' 80" E000 25' 70"
• To see: not much.  
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Update 04/01/18: This byway appears to have been closed by a TRO for the time being, probably due to the condition of the wooden bridge here, with no sign of when it may reopen. We shall watch closely and report back when we have more detail. Original post follows.

Bletchinglye Lane is a pretty damn good, if short, lane that will provide quite taxing in wet weather. Initially unremarkable, the byway begins life as a metalled road acting as the driveway to Bletchinglye Farm. On passing the driveway proper, our trail takes us almost due east initially betwixt to railway sleepers and a 'speed bump' that serve as a barrier to would-be fly tipping filth. The greenlane proper then starts downhill on a surface of gravel with grass beginning to push through. The foliage that borders the lane is not yet tight enough to cause any serious scratches or damage.

It is then that the surprise happens! A steep-sided gully complete with ford , not marked or even apparent on the Ordinance Survey map, presents a not-insignificant obstacle! There is a footbridge out of the way to the south, but it's height relative to the river bed is a good indicator just how the water can build up here after rain such as we had during the wet 'summer' of 2012! The stream surface is mostly gravel so the going is relatively firm, but the sides are a little eroded and in very wet weather with the stream in flood the likelihood of getting stuck rises: the egress is noticeably steeper than the ingress when travelling eastbound, and also involves a turn. Its not at all difficult if the stream is low and you pick you line carefully, but you have been warned.

Another word of caution (I'll admit I'm at risk of nagging): your Explorers are acutely aware of the effects of our chosen leisure persuit with regards to its impact on the environment, and this lane, if it sees heavy usage, is ripe for damage and erosion at this point. If every 4x4 driver in the entire south-east descends upon Bletchinglye Lane then very quickly this lane will descend in to an undriveable state, so use it sparingly and irregularly and everyone will stay happy! Unless you stop off and fix the damage, of course.

Continuing eastbound out of the gully, the lane starts to climb steeply at first but soon shallowing off and taking a pleasant, moss-lined long and gentle curve where the surface changes to bare earth for a little way, before changing back to gravel on passing some field entrances. The trail eventually ends after passing over another 'speed bump' on the A267 just south of the village of Mark Cross. One of the best lanes in the area and it'd score higher if it were longer. Just don't visit it too often!

The ford. Tame in the dry...

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BOAT: Ash Green Lane East/Drovers Way

• Overall Rating: 4
• Location: Ash Green, Surrey.
• OS Explorer Map 145, 'Guildford & Farnham, Godalming & Farnborough'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU912418
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 24' 00" W000 69' 50"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU902497
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 23' 90" W000 70' 90"
• To see: Ash Green Station.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

NB: Drovers Way is subject to a TRO between 30th September-1st May each year, and access is blocked by locked gates between these dates. Further, as of February 2013 a permanent TRO is proposed for Drovers Way, and soon it may well be closed to 4-wheeled motorised traffic. For more info, go here.

Ash Green Lane East

There are a real concentration of byways in this area, but unfortunately not all of them are open to motor vehicles. These two, however, are most certainly worth a visit (the proviso above notwithstanding). Ash Green Lane East starts westwards from Pound Farm Lane at the imposing Pound Farm House, forming the driveway that serves it. A small duck pond (not necessarily affiliated with the Conservative Party) lies opposite the house. The gravel surface of the drive soon ends and the earthy/gravel mixed surface of the byway proper begins where the lane plunges into woodland. The foliage never encroaches on the lane however: this green lane is well kept and wide in all places.

Drovers Way

After a pleasant drive past Whitegate Copse, at about 3/4 of its total length shown on the Ordinance Survey map the surface changes back to asphalt and becomes a residential street. It's a pretty straight byway, and it continues on its course as far as White Lane, where it ends. Continuing over the crossroads is unfortunately pointless as Ash Green Lane West is subject to a TRO and is closed to all motorised vehicles.

When the asphalt reclaims its crown, Drovers Way leaves Ash Green Lane East to the north. This lane looks initially like a gentle, curving lane on the map but is anything but! Twisting and turning its way through the trees and on a heavily rutted earth surface, this byway must be an ordeal to drive in wet weather. No wonder there is a seasonal TRO on it! Our Land Rover grounded out on the raised area in the middle of the ruts on a number of occasions, and the tight turns around mature trees occasionally offer a considerable obstacle, so if you choose to drive it take this lane dead slow and use care. On crossing the railway bridge the green lane presents a choice: left is a short metalled run back towards Ash Green Road, whilst right takes you back off the tarmac on a slightly longer stretch of earthen byway that follows a drainage ditch and again joins Ash Green Road. We recommend the eastern fork, for what its worth.

The now disused but incredibly quaint Ash Green Halt on the dismantled Tongham to Aldershot Gas Works Railway can be found just to the north of the eastern end of the byway. It's a private residence so you can't gain access, but it is so well kept it's certainly worth a look at for those interested in railwayana. To Surrey County Council these are Byways 521 (Drovers Way) and Byway 518 (Ash Green Lane East). For the purposes of convenience these two conjoined byways are subject to one article.

View Ash Green Lane East/Drovers Way in a larger map