UCR: Wyck Lane

• Overall Rating: 5
• Location: Binstead, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 144, 'Basingstoke, Alton and Whitchurch, Odiham, Overton and Hook'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU759397
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 15' 20" W000 91' 60"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU772407
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 16' 10" W000 89' 70"
• To see: Watercress Line.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

An absolute cracker, this one. Were that it were longer!

Starting from the village of Wyck, the byway is the left-hand turning (i.e. westerly) when facing The Old Stables. It proceeds around the aforementioned large house before taking a north-easterly track for the remainder of its route. The surface soon deteriorates from gravel into lightly-rutted mud as this tree-lined green lane begins to descend downhill, but its easy going for the most part.

On passing abeam Fir Copse, the passing banks of wild garlic (or ramsons, if you are so inclined) produce the most glorious smell if you time your visit to coincide with their flowering. They are second only in smell to bluebells (and maybe honeysuckle)!

Soon the nadir of the descent is reached, just after the lane turns to the right and then almost immediately back to the left, and it is here that things can get a little tricky. It's a wet lane, this, and even in the drywest of weather there is always a bit of a flood in the ruts at the lowest point, even though efforts have clearly been made to drain the water off into the lakes that border the greenlane at this point. Here the ruts are quite deep too, so Freelanders would possibly struggle . However, the base is solid enough and it's not much of an obstacle for anything with decent ground clearance (see picture, below). This section was blocked by a tree that had been pulled down under the weight of ivy on a previous visit and we had to turn back, but its great to see that someone is caring for this lane and has long since cleared it.

On leaving the flood the lane immediately begins a steepish climb out flanked by even steeper banks on either side, a climb that is made effortless by the stony surface providing plenty of grip. We were soon on top of it and back on the tarmac as we emerged from the woods at last to finish this great byway where it emerges in the village of Binstead. Well worth a drive in springtime!

If you're looking for a stonkingly good day out, you can do far worse than a visit to the Watercress Line steam railway which can be found just up the road from this byway, in Alton.

A video by YouTuber 'Jamie Love' is embedded below and sheds more light on the byway.

Statistics:
Total distance: 1.89 km (1.15 mi)
Total time: 15:04
Moving time: 13:14
Average speed: 7.93 km/h (4.9 mi/h)
Average moving speed: 9.04 km/h (5.6 mi/h)
Max speed: 34.20 km/h (21.3 mi/h)
Average pace: 7.56 min/km (12.2 min/mi)
Average moving pace: 6.64 min/km (10.7 min/mi)
Fastest pace: 1.75 min/km (2.8 min/mile)
Max elevation: 183 m (599 ft)
Min elevation: 151 m (494 ft)
Elevation gain: 51 m (166 ft)
Max grade: 9 %
Min grade: -10 %
Recorded: 21/05/2013 16:24

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BOAT: Tinkers Lane

• Overall Rating: 5
• Location: Bentworth, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 144, 'Basingstoke, Alton and Whitchurch, Odiham, Overton and Hook'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU664401
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 15' 60" W001 05' 20"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU676384
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 14' 20" W001 03' 50"
• To see: The Sun.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Update 18/09/2016: According to Mark, who kindly commented below, this byway has had it's access restrictions lifted and, apart from some tight foliage in places which is guaranteed to make the paintwork 'sing', is basically clear. Remove one problem, add another...

Update 04/01/2014: According to a gratefully-received observation from 'Producktionsweb' below, this byway is now operating as a 'test subject' for permit-controlled access. The internet does not seem to yield any further information and we have not yet been able to visit for verification. Can anybody flesh out this with detail? Comment below!)

A brilliant byway, this one, and an excellent of what green-laning is all about. Tinkers Lane starts out as a UCR that serves as a driveway for a couple of cottages in the picture-postcard village of Bentworth. On passing over onto the BOAT (designated by a footpath crossing the byway) the grass soon begins to take over the middle of the gravel surface of the lane and the byway starts earnestly downhill on a mixture of gravel and mud. This well maintained, easy going green lane never has more than one or two puddles and no encroaching foliage to scratch the paintwork.

Heading south-east along a field boundary demarkated by hedgerows, it really is a pleasure to drive since it offers a great view over the Hampshire countryside and of the lane itself (see photo, right).

On reaching the nadir of the shallow descent the byway rounds a bend to take up a more southerly track and at the same time starts to climb gently uphill again towards its ending in the amusingly-titled hamlet of Wivelrod.

When in the area it is simply unforgivable if you do not sample the real ales on offer at The Sun, which, with its roaring real fire, is surely one of our favourite pubs in Hampshire.

To Hampshire County Council this is Byway 26.

Statistics:
Total distance: 2.17 km (1.3 mi)
Total time: 10:54
Moving time: 09:36
Average speed: 11.91 km/h (7.4 mi/h)
Average moving speed: 13.53 km/h (8.4 mi/h)
Max speed: 29.70 km/h (18.5 mi/h)
Average pace: 5.04 min/km (8.1 min/mi)
Average moving pace: 4.43 min/km (7.1 min/mi)
Fastest pace: 2.02 min/km (3.3 min/mile)
Max elevation: 253 m (829 ft)
Min elevation: 205 m (671 ft)
Elevation gain: 65 m (213 ft)
Max grade: 8 %
Min grade: -9 %
Recorded: 21/05/2013 15:42

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BOAT: Old Portsmouth Road/Gnome Cottage Lane/High Button Lane/Farnham Lane

• Overall Rating: 5
• Location: Hindhead, Surrey.
• OS Explorer Map 133, 'Haslemere & Petersfield'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU896384
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 13' 80" W000 72' 00"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference:  SU890357
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 11' 40" E000 72' 90"
• To see: the Devils Punchbowl.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Old Portsmouth Road

Yes, thank you. We know that this is a huge post covering the multiple byways that criss-cross the Devils Punchbowl, but since you can't drive one without driving the others we are treating all the green lanes here as one entry. Therefore: shortcuts!

• Old Portsmouth Road (Byway 500)
• Gnome Cottage Lane (Byway 501)
• High Button Lane (TRO, Byway 503)
• Farnham Lane (Byway 21A)

All the byways here unless otherwise specified have a solid, well-drained surface of sand and in places broken sandstone. It is very easy going and at no stage will it present the remotest challenge to any 4x4/trail bike short of the odd bump and pothole and the undergrowth never encroaches.

We started with Old Portsmouth Road: Byway 500 for Surrey County Council (and Highfield Lane for Google, whaaaa?). We drove this, the 'high level' road and the longest byway of them all, from its northern end, from its junction with another decent green lane called Rockey Lane: in fact, you'd be mad not to drive both at the same sitting!

On passing into National Trust land, at a junction between this byway and the un-named Byway 501 (which we have called Gnome Cottage Lane) one crosses a cattle grid and the surface almost immediately deteriorates to broken and loose sandstone. Climbing ever upwards through extremely pleasant heathland, the most epic views begin to unfurl to the east (even better in the snow we had in February 2013) reminding one how wild and beautiful the Surrey Hills must have been before the stockbrokers began to settle them. Humans: tisk.

Old Portsmouth Road

I digress. After a false summit and after plunging through some large puddles the green lane crosses another cattle grid and emerges out onto the route of the old A3, which has changed beyond all recognition. Basically, it's disappeared! Anyone who regularly drove this road (as we used to) will be astounded by the change since the tunnel was completed. There is almost no trace of the A3 now, just a slowly healing scar on the landscape and all the better for it. It's now (obviously) closed to all motorised traffic and instead at the Youth Hostel we transition from the sandstone onto the hard prepared surface as the byway continues southwards. From this point on its pretty disappointing from a purely green laning point of view as it is basically a metalled country road. It is also extremely popular with dog walkers and families looking to avoid the mud, so needless to say you should drive it dead slow and with even more care and courtesy than usual!

Driving past the original milestone for the old coach road and the memorial to the murdered sailor (all this great local history is explained by notice boards, so I shan't bother here), presently the byway crests Gibbet Hill and turns to the west from a subtle junction between it, Farnham Lane (21A) and High Button (503), the latter subject to a TRO and gated off. After a short distance further the track ends back out on the remains of the old A3 in Hindhead village proper, conveniently opposite the National Trust cafe. It would be positively indecent if you did not stop by and refresh yourselves!

Gnome Cottage Lane

Now for the 'low level' byway: Gnome Cottage Lane. Starting from the eastern end from the unhelpfully confusing yet entirely unrelated 'Old Portsmouth Road' (metalled), the byway strikes out westwards and over a cattle grid. Here the surface is muddy with underlying sand, so it's easy going. Continuing westwards the green lane twists and turns downhill and passes a shallow pond before climbing up again and then crossing Old Portsmouth Road (BOAT) in two places: take the left-hand track when they diverge. On the other side the byway turns to the south, passing through spell-bindingly beautiful heathland. The National Trust really do keep it well. Eventually the lane passes over another cattle grid, begins to climb at Gnome Cottage (an ancient & beautiful dwelling, lucky B******S) and emerges onto the gravel surface that serves the Youth Hostel, where the lane turns back eastwards. Climbing steeply up towards the old A3, on passing an aged and gnarled beech tree the surface changes to tarmac. The byway ends as it rejoins Old Portsmouth Road (BOAT). This is our preferred routing.

Farnham Lane

Finally (yeah, I know) it's Farnham Lane (Byway 21A)! It is technically un-named, but we have logically given it the same name as the tarmac road at its southern end. It's not all that long, and almost dead straight from its junction with Old Portsmouth Road in the north and it's ending (via another cattle grid) at The Royal School at its south. It is very similar to all the others in this area in that it runs on a muddy surface with underlying sand, it crosses beautiful heathland (yet with more woodland on this lane), and the undergrowth is well cut back. You get the idea by now. We shan't go into any more detail, as this byway principally serves to offer a choice of routes: you can either miss out this stage and end up at the National Trust Cafe or use this byway to access the other byways around Haslemere if you are thus inclined.

As you can tell, we're pretty excited about the green laning prospects in this area. They're great, maybe not quite as great as that at Five Lanes End near Basingstoke, but certainly worthy of a 5 rating. Now, if only we could find a killer pub nearby... Any ideas?

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UCR: Chalkpit Lane

• Overall Rating: 5
• Location: East Lavant, West Sussex.
• OS Explorer Map 120, 'Chichester'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU865087
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 87' 10" W000 77' 20"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU871110
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 89' 20" W000 76' 20"
• To see: Chichester, Goodwood, 'The Trundle', Devil's Ditch, flint mines, the view!
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

A great green lane, this one, offering fine views and plenty of items historical interest. Starting at the southern end, in the pleasant village of East Lavant, this remarkably straight trail heads uphill almost due north on a surface of crushed chalk and gravel. The surface seems to be well maintained as well, at least on southern parts of the lane, as potholes have been filled with shingle. After travelling about half of the lane's total length, however, axle-twisting washouts have begun to develop in the surface of the byway. It's never all that bad to be honest, but careful negotiation must be undertaken occasionally.

A climb of 120m up a gentle gradient between Haye's Down and Lavant Down is soon encountered. On the way up the byway passes some reservoirs to the east, where the aforementioned washouts begin, and after which some lovely views across to the east are offered, spoilt only by an accursed golf course. (We consider these 'green deserts' a total waste of land and should be returned to nature. Please excuse the rant.) Further up the hill and towards the end of the green lane there is unfortunately evidence of illegal off-roading, as trails (picture) have scarred the banks to the west. DO NOT DO IT! It is illegal, immoral and destructive behaviour on a par with fly-tipping, and it makes us despise you (please excuse our second rant!). The lane ends at the car park on top of St Roche's Hill, just short of Town Lane.

To the north is 'The Trundle' Neolithic hill fort is well worth an investigatory climb to take in the incredible views it offers in every direction. To the east of the lane were some Neolithic flint mines and other earthworks, though not much can bee seen today. To the south can be found the extensive Devil's Ditch, which is part of the Chichester Entrenchments dug in the iron age and are believed to be a defensive feature to protect the area from attacks by more northerly tribes. Nearby to the west lies the great city of Chichester, which is well worth a visit. Also nearby is Goodwood aerodrome and motor racing circuit, which I am sure needs little explanation.

Even on a miserable day it's a great view.

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BOAT: Squires Hill Lane

• Overall Rating: 5
• Location: Tilford, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 145, 'Guildford & Farnham, Godalming & Farnborough'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU876441
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 18' 90" W000 74' 70"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU873454
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 20' 10" W000 75' 20"
• To see: Waverley Abbey ruins, Tilford with it's two medieval bridges and historical oak trees, and the River Wey, The Barley Mow pub, pillboxes.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

This is one of our favourite byways. I can't quite put my finger on why, but I guess it is just an easy-going greenlane which is a pleasure to drive and has a lot of awesome stuff well within striking distance after we're done. I guess short of a ford it has it all!

Starting at its southern end in the beautiful, almost prototypical village of Tilford with it's two medieval bridges and historical oak trees on the sizeable village green (complete with cricket pitch and country pub), this byway starts out on a westerly track and a metalled surface. It soon turns to the north, a path it maintains for the rest of it's length. On passing the cluster of dwellings, the largest of which proudly displays some quite epic topiary, the tarmac turns into a (mostly) unrutted surface of earth and leaf mould, although it can get a bit muddy in places in wet weather. The lane is also in pretty good nick with regards to foliage: some fallen trees were promptly chainsawed away last winter and other than the odd invasion by holly bushes there isn't much to trouble the paintwork.

Lined to begin with by pole and rail fencing and later by evergreen trees, there's not much of a view on offer but that doesn't detract from the experience. After an uphill stretch the byway crosses Sheephatch Lane, emerging around an evidently ancient barn and plunging back into Sheephatch Copse on the other side. The lane then begins to descend back down into the valley of the River Wey in a 'hollow way', which is old-speak for 'sunken lane'. Where a footpath merges from the east the byway takes a rather sharp turn to the west and then starts a long, sweeping curve down to its terminus on Waverley Lane, just easy of the gorgeous Waverleymill Bridge and weir. Well worth a drive.

Just to the west of the northern end of the lane are the ruins of Waverley Abbey, the first Cistercian abbey in England which was founded in 1128. The vast, ancient yew tree and its gnarled roots are worth checking out quite apart from the beautiful abbey ruins with the River Wey running past them. Also on the abbey grounds can be found some quite formidable pillboxes: a type 22 infantry box and a large filed gun emplacement, as well as innumerate tank traps which were shifted and dumped just next the the abbey. The compulsory post-lane tipple can be enjoyed in the aforementioned Barley Mow pub in Tilford (see above). Enjoy. 

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UCR/BOAT: Pisley Lane

• Overall Rating: 5
• Location: Walliswood, Surrey.
• OS Explorer Map 134, 'Crawley & Horsham'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: TQ137401
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 14' 90" W000 37' 60"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: TQ122393
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 14' 20" W000 39' 80"
• To see: not much.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Holden Brook Ford

Annoyingly, this byway starts on a completely different OS map, namely OS Explorer 146 'Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate'. It starts as a concreted UCR leaving Mole Street to the west, serving as the driveway for a couple of cottages as well as Holdenbrook, Pisley and Fishfold Farms. Back on OS Explorer 134 The greenlane winds its way through some pleasant woodland called (funnily enough) Pisley Copse and then is re-designated as a BOAT on passing Fishfold Farm, although it continues to be concreted.

As the driveway to Holdenbrook Farm divereges to the north west, the lane itself turns to the left and the concrete turns into leaf mould and mud. This trail is in good condition: the majority of the vegetation has been cut back and for the most part the surface is unrutted and easy going, even in very wet weather.

The junction between Pisley Lane and Green Lane.

Speaking of water, and why this lane scores so highly, is that from Holdenbrook Farm the lane begins a slow descent downhill until it meets Holden Brook where it fords this extremely pleasant stream. A footbridge crosses the river on the southern side of the ford and on a summer's day this would be a great place for a picnic and a paddle. However, for the purposes of greenlaning, the ford is usually pretty shallow (although the trail biker in the video embeded below obviously picked the wrong day to try to ford it! Let that serve as a warning to all.) and has a bottom of fine gravel that seems to be more than capable of supporting a 4x4, and we got through it with no trouble. Needless to say, it is highly advisable for you to check the depth of the water and condition of it's surface before you go piling in, and if you get stuck it's not our fault!

Climbing out onto the far bank, the lane turns slightly to the west and then takes a more or less straight track until the byway finishes on Horsham Road. A far better option to continue greenlaning is to take the turning to the south (at TQ124394, see picture above) down another, similar, BOAT called Green Lane.

One final note: Pisley Lane carries on for a very short distance as a UCR over the other side of Horsham Road, but since it's a dead end it is entirely pointless driving it.

This is Surrey County Council's Abinger Byway 542.

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BOAT: Sheepwalk Lane

• Overall Rating: 5
• Location: East Horsley, Surrey.
• OS Explorer Map 146, 'Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate, Leatherhead & Caterham.'
• Starting OS Grid Reference: TQ095502
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 24' 10" W000 43' 30"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: TQ120500
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 23' 80" W000 39' 70"
• To see: Lovelace Bridges, Ranmore Common, Effingham Forest.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Troy Bridge

Sheepwalk Lane is a byway brought to you by bridges. Well, not bridges as such any longer as they serve no discernible purpose these days. However, built by the Earl of Lovelace in the 19th century, these so called Lovelace Bridges (which total  fifteen  in all) were built to ease the passage of the horse-drawn carts hauling felled timber on his woodland estate, but the old chap went rather overboard and gave them such architectural embellishments as his trademark flintwork, arrow slits and date-plaques! There is a walking trail right around all fifteen of them, which is detail here.

On to the byway itself, and annoyingly it is split over two maps. The far western tip (where we began) is on OS Explorer Map 145 'Guildford & Farnham', and is accessed by driving down a country road called Honeysuckle Bottom. Look out for the cottage with its very own railway in the garden (I kid you not!) on the right hand side. The path to take is pretty obvious: right at the end of the (barely) metalled section of Honeysuckle Bottom, where all the freshly felled timber is stacked up, Sheepwalk Lane heads east and uphill through pleasant Effingham Forest on a surface of mixed gravel and mud. It's very easy going even in the wettest conditions: almost entirely unrutted, well cut back and you could drive a tank under both bridges.

Troy Bridge is the first one encountered (see above). Pass under it and the lane curves gently around to the left, climbing ever slowly up. Further along a second (unnamed, as far as I know) bridge is encountered abeam a house called The Hermitage.

Eventually the summit of this lane is reached atop White Downs, where another byway called Beggars Lane merges with ours. It is sadly closed to 4x4's (but, perhaps unfairly, open to trail bikers) and is gated off accordingly. Instead, bear round to the left and head eastwards.

The lane is soon crossed by a country lane called White Down Lane, and on each side of the crossing nasty looking gates have been erected to discourage fly-tipping scum. The width restriction is precisely 7', and not an inch more. However, that is just enough to squeeze a Defender 110' through with great care, as the council have also embedded stone kerbs in the surface to further complicate matters. They really rock the suspension if hit wrong which in turn can rock you car sideways into the posts, so use a spotter if you're not confident.

After crossing the lane, Sheepwalk Lane climbs steeply uphill for a stretch before jinking to the left slightly and finishing (via another 7' barrier) on Ranmore Common Road, just west of the car park for the common itself. A brilliant sylvanian lane, one of the best in the area, and so it's well worth a visit.

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BOAT: Ox Drove (Wayfarer's Walk Part 3)

• Overall Rating: 5
• Location: Ashmansworth to Litchfield, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 144, 'Basingstoke, Alton and Whitchurch, Odiham, Overton and Hook'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU410592 (or SU430575 for 4x4's)
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 33' 10" W001 41' 20" (or N51 31' 50" W001 38' 40" for 4x4's)
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU462551  
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates:  N51 29' 30" W001 33' 80"
• To see: Seven Barrows, Highclere, Chapman's Dell, Beacon Hill and Ladle Hill hillforts, tumuli, DeHavilland Memorial, course of the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

NB: The western half of this lane is subject to a TRO for any vehicles with more than three wheels (!). 4x4 drivers must begin on the A343 at Keepers Cottage.

NB: This lane is one of many sections of the Wayfarer's Walk that offer vehicular access. For the other sections, click through for Part 1 and Part 2.

Wow, what a green lane! But shhh, let's keep it a secret. If everyone found about about it, it would be busier than the M25 in rush hour. Trailbikers are even luckier, as unlike 4x4 drivers who have to start at the half-way point, they can drive the entire length of this vast byway.

We'll scoot over the western half of the lane, as it's subject to a TRO from it's starting point in Bunkhanger Copse eastwards to Keepers Cottage on the A343, so we can't drive it. But hey, who cares? Because the second half of this lane is what greenlaning is all about.

This long byway starts by striking out eastbound from the A343 on a potholed hard surface that act as a driveway for one of the most awesome, unique cottages we've ever seen, named Grotto Lodge. It looks like someone built a house onto a medieval castle tower, and it's unmistakeable. If you're driving eastbound, pass the cottage with it on your left and follow the track into Grotto Copse, which has seen signs of recent logging (see pic above). Here the hard surface ends and the greenlane changes to compacted, unrutted earth.

Cruising gently uphill, the lane passes out of the woodland and curves gently towards the south until it briefly enters woodland again on top of Sidown Hill. However, whilst driving along the top of Sidown Range and Upper Woodcott Down, the trees fall back and some incredible views are available across rolling downland in every direction save north. Indeed, this section of the lane is around 250m AMSL.

After a track leaves the lane to the east the byway continues on a vague path across the grassy flank of Upper Woodcott Down. Because the path is so vague, it can be pretty tricky to ascertain exactly which is the right track, but there are enough pointers to bumble along and be at least reasonably sure you're in the right place. However, this is less than no excuse for anyone to roam as they please over the fields. Stick to the track and all will be good, yet stray and you'll rightly receive both barrels from current Earl of Carnarvon as well as interest from the police!

The greenlane continues downhill along the contours of Lower Woodcott Down and enters the woodland that lines this flank of Thorn Down. This woodland is the only real negative on the entire lane in that on this leg the hazel and hawthorn bushes that line the lane narrow the byway at a few places, and since the lane also becomes quite rutted here it is impossible to avoid scratching the paintwork until the hedgerow is cut back a bit. The lane ends at the foot of seven gigantic barrows (see pic above and link below), in a layby on the A34. An incredible lane but please don't drive it: we want it all to ourselves!

This is an ancient landscape, and there is much for those interested in the Neolithic era and the Bronze Age here. The hillforts of Beacon Hill and Ladle Hill (the latter unfinished) lie to the north of the eastern end of the lane. A tumulus can be seen south of the lane up on Rabbit Warren and further examples up near the hillforts, not to mention the gigantic burial mounds at Seven Barrows which are extremely impressive. More recent history can be found (and her indoors kept happy) by visiting Highclere, a stately home and the setting of Downton Abbey, which is to the north of the lane and who's grounds it crosses. The course of the dismantled Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway roughly follows that of the A34, and finally the memorial for Geoffrey deHavilland, who's ashes were scattered over the Seven Barrows, can be found at the eastern end of the lane. Phew!

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FORD: Eynsford Ford

• Overall Rating: 5
• Location: Eynsford, Kent.
• OS Explorer Map 147, 'Sevenoaks and Tonbridge'.
• OS Grid Reference: TQ540655
• GPS Co-ordinates: N51 36' 80" E000 21' 10"
• To see: Eynsford village, Eynsford Castle, Lullingstone Castle, Lullinstone Roman Villa. 
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

This ford over the River Darent runs along the western side of a pretty 17th century humpback bridge over the same. It can be pretty deep in flood, so take care, but we heartily recommend that you visit this beautiful and history corner of the world.

Eynsford Castle, Lullingstone Castle and Lullinstone Roman Villa are all very close to this ford, and are all worth checking out individually and as a group.

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BOAT: Harrow Way

• Overall Rating: 5
• Location: Overton, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 144, 'Basingstoke, Alton and Whitchurch, Odiham, Overton and Hook'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU484500
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 24' 70" W001 30' 80"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU528519   
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 26' 40" W001 24' 50"
• To see: Harrow Way.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

N.B.: This byway is subject to a TRO which runs between 1st November and 31st May every year. Do not try to drive this trail between these dates.

Despite the seasonal TRO on it, this byway is a corker! The TRO itself has no doubt been laid down due to the impeccable surface this lane displays: it's clearly had a problem with ruts and overuse in the past, so the council appears to have graded it perfectly level and covered it in compacted earth and gravel. As a result it is in better shape than many country roads in this area! The foliage is also (mostly) kept well cut back so there is little or no chance of scratching up the paintwork on a newer vehicle.

We started this byway from its western end, where for a stretch of a score of metres or so it is classified as a UCR. Also at this end another UCR I've christened 'Watts Lane' heads due south towards Home Farm: this is little more than a grassy/earthen access track to the farm which very quickly turns to tarmac. It holds relatively little interest for greenlaners compared to the main event but feel free to drive it should you wish to vary your route.

For the most part this is a very flat byway in both surface and gradient, and it really is easy going winding its way along field boundaries and line with mature trees. Soon another UCR called Whitnal Lane passes by, heading out northwards from Harrow Way itself. Whitnal Lane is worth a look as it offers an alternative starting point for this lane, and it is not subject to a TRO either so can be driven at any time of year.

Slightly further east the Ordinance Survey map appears to show a country lane known as Jack Mills Lane crossing the track and turning into a BOAT as it heads westbound, but unfortunately I believe it is a private road and at any length the entrance is far too overgrown to access via anything but on foot so it's best to ignore this particular byway.

Further east still and yet another UCR, this time called Court Drove, crosses our greenlane. This is quite a good one (read or review by following the link) and is well worth a visit whilst you're in the area. Harrow Way meanwhile climbs relatively steeply uphill towards the B3051, which it crosses just north of the village of Foxdown. There is a couple of paths here, but pick the obvious, signposted, course as the southernmost track has been created by illegal offroaders looking for a hill-climb (and a tame one at that) and needs to be blocked off.

Over the road an unnamed byway leaves the main track to the south, however, like Watts Lane it is relatively boring and only skirts the huge, industrial eyesore that is Overton Mill. Avoid unless you like that sort of thing coupled with hassle from the security droids at its southern end. Our byway then curves to the south east and starts out downhill and then ends where it meets a country road and a very acute angle. You can continue the greenlaning by heads a matter of metres east and driving White Lane. Harrow Way is a great byway that provides a number of options to make repeat visits more interesting, and we highly recommend it.

Harrow Way is also reputed to be the 'oldest lane in England'. Forming part of the 'Old Way', in the Neolithic period it ran as a trackway through the Wield all the way from Rochester, via Guildford and Andover to Stonehenge and Seaton in Devon, which must have been no small accomplishment in those times! Something to ponder as you drive it. Nearer to Andover, another short stretch of it is also a byway, and you can read about it in our entry for it here.

This are Hampshire County Council Byways 23, 36 and 715, treated as one single entry for convenience..

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BOAT: Standfast Lane/Watersford Lane

• Overall Rating: 5
• Location: Empshott, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 133, 'Haslemere & Petersfield, Midhurst & Selborne'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU759310
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 07' 40" W000 91' 70"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU752300
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 06' 40" W000 92' 90"
• To see: River Rother, Empshott Church, Hawkley Inn.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

NB: this lane is subject to a seasonal TRO between 1st November and 30th April each year. Do not try to drive this byway between these dates.

Standfast Lane and Watersford Lane are rolled into one review for the sake of this article, since they are essentially one and the same. This byway is initially pretty unassuming, but don't be deceived: it includes a great if unusual section of greenlane through an open field. Encroaching undergrowth is never really an issue, but the lane does gradually become narrower as this sunken lane is flanked by earthen banks that close in gradually. It is never so narrow as to present a challenge or obstruction, but if you should meet someone coming the other way there is most certainly no where to go!

Starting at its northern end, the BOAT leaves Church Lane and heads south-west on a lightly-rutted mud surface, with some sparse gravel in places. The lane descends down through pleasant woodland towards a small, gated bridge that takes it over the upper reaches of the River Rother. Over the bridge the lane bursts out of the woods into the field mentioned above and starts to rise again. This section is really quite a refreshing experience: used as we are to overgrown lanes and restricted views, it is a nice contrast to have a bit of space around us! I should hope it is needless to say, but please do not stray from the track. There is no reason what-so-ever to stray from it and mucking up their field will just anger the landowner (who is already miffed by 4x4 owners) and make you look like a fool, despite it being illegal. Point made, rant over.

Near the top of the hill the lane passes through another gate and back into woodland, where it follows the contour lines in a southerly direction until it eventually turns into somebody's driveway and finishes in the hamlet of Lower Green. A great lane and well worth a drive.

It scores further points for its proximity to the village of Hawkley and the awesome, 'rural' Hawkley Inn. When we called in for a compulsory post-lane tipple, they had an exceptionally strong cider called Swamp Donkey. Brewed in Alton apparently, when pondering what its ABV is, the label says 'don't ask'. Just one pint did strange things to our chosen victim... Nearby to the northern end of this green lane the picturesque Empshot Church is remarkable for its unusual spire.

To Hampshire County Council, these are Byways Hawkley 25 and 26, combined here for simplicity.

Statistics
Total distance: 1.63 km (1.0 mi)
Total time: 09:52
Moving time: 09:26
Average speed: 9.89 km/h (6.1 mi/h)
Average moving speed: 10.36 km/h (6.4 mi/h)
Max speed: 34.20 km/h (21.3 mi/h)
Average pace: 6.07 min/km (9.8 min/mi)
Average moving pace: 5.79 min/km (9.3 min/mi)
Fastest pace: 1.75 min/km (2.8 min/mile)
Max elevation: 193 m (634 ft)
Min elevation: 133 m (436 ft)
Elevation gain: 32 m (105 ft)
Max grade: 8 %
Min grade: -9 %
Recorded: 02/07/2013 16:16

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BOAT: Snapson's Drove

• Overall Rating: 5
• Location: Hailsham, East Sussex.
• OS Explorer Map 123, 'Eastbourne & Beachy Head, Newhaven, Seaford, Hailsham & Heathfield'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: TQ630087 
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 85' 50" E000 31' 50"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: TQ609086
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 85' 50" E000 28' 40"
• To see: RAF Pevensey, Pevensey Castle, Pevensey village, Herstmonceux Castle and Science Centre, Norman's Bay.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

NB: This byway is now subject to a seasonal TRO, closing it to all motorised traffic from 1st October every year for a period of 6 months. Hugely irresponsible usage of this byway in wet weather by the inevitable minority has brought this about, so it is hardly a surprise. Time will tell if it actually opens in the summer months!

Make no mistake when I say that this byway, along with Marshfoot Lane and White Dyke Road (which lie very close by) are the best greenlanes in the entire of Sussex, and are a strong rival for the elite of those of any county that we've driven so far! Crossing the incredibly beautiful Pevensey Levels, lined with tall rushes growing in the water-filled ditches on either side of the byway, and offering some quite spellbinding views across the flat marshes, we were stoked by the time we'd finished driving this track! Epic.

Marked by no more than a gap in the reeds at its eastern end, Snapson's Drove heads north from Newbridge Road for around 100m before it turns sharply to the west. After another 100m or so the greenlane passes through the first of five metal gates (leave them as you find them, please) and then subsequently winds its way along the top of a dyke, flanked either side by reeds growing out of the ditches on each side. On a grassy, lightly rutted surface with occasionally large potholes than need negotiating, the greenlane is an absolute pleasure to drive, offering incredible views over the Pevensey Levels. It was bone dry when we drove it in the 'heat wave' of mid-October 2011, but in wet weather the surface gets very wet indeed and is such best avoided to prevent making the ruts and potholes any worse. The byway is so wide in places that it is not immediately obvious where the correct track lies so take care and cross-check your position using all possible aids.

The second gate can be found just after the halfway point, on top of a small brick-built bridge over a ditch. After passing over it the byway slowly gets narrower and more rutted until the foliage suddenly closes right in and the greenlane becomes more heavily rutted.

The encroaching foliage really does get very tight indeed here. By this stage I'd already driven most of it and the going was far too narrow to turn around so we were forced to press on, but rest assured the protesting squeals issuing from my paintwork as the hawthorn and bramble bushes scraped down the sides and roof were humbling. Epi is now pretty scratched up, but its nothing T-Cut can't solve (I hope)! There's no way through without damaging your paintwork. You have been warned.

The 'tight' section of the greenlane doesn't last all that long, around 100m or so and on passing through the third gate onto a farm track that runs to the south-west the foliage opens right out again. Just before the byway ends it enters a farm yard that is in very active use with a large dairy herd. It feels a bit weird passing through a farmyard like this, but you're in the right place so pass through the last two gates to the end of the BOAT.

A word of warning: drive this byway in lambing season (end of March/start of April) and the farmer uses the entry to his farmyard as a lambing area for his ewes. Therefore, although you do technically have a legal right of access, please use both common sense and common courtesy and do not try to enter/exit the byway during lambing season. AVOID. 

The byway shares an end point with White Dyke Road and it would almost be criminal not to drive both greenlanes at the same time. What a day out!

Scratch the surface of this part of the world, and it will bleed history. So whilst you're here, go and check out (as a minimum!):

• the remains of RAF Pevensey, a large radar installation, is just metres from the eastern end of this lane. Indeed, the whole of Pevensey levels is littered with pillboxes and other detritus of World War Two.
• Pevensey Castle, one of the original Saxon shore forts and a Roman fortress to boot, can be found a couple of miles south-west of this lane.
• The village of Pevensey, including Pevensey Court House Museum and Jail and a pint at the historical The Smugglers Inn.
• Herstmonceux Castle and Science Centre lie a few miles to the north-east.
• Norman's Bay, the site of the Norman landing in 1066, is to the south.

This is East Sussex County Council's Hailsham 56.

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BOAT: Smugglers Way

• Overall Rating: 5
• Location: Tilford, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 145, 'Guildford & Farnham, Godalming & Farnborough'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU874430
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 17' 90" W000 75' 10"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU858419
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 17' 00" W000 77' 40"
• To see: Frensham Ponds, Tilford with it's two medieval bridges and historical oak trees, and the River Wey: great for a paddle with the kids.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

This greenlane is a really treat, partly because of its length, but mainly due to the awesomely beautiful terrain it passes through. But first! a quick note on the lane itself. We started from Tilford Road. The lane actually runs both east and west from each side of Tilford road, but in-keeping with the format of this site, this article does not deal with the short eastern as it is a dead end and therefore pointless to drive. We will only mention the western section of the lane.

That said, the lane leaves Tilford Road just south of the iconic village of Tilford itself, famous for its medieval bridges, its fabulous, almost stereotypical village green (obviously with cricket pitch) and its famous oaks, one over 800 years old and others planted to mark the reigns of various monarchs.

On a surface of sand interspersed with section of forest floor and gravel, and with the foliage never closing in at all, this undulating lane (quite markedly so towards its western end, and apparently renowned for it) passes through an epically beautiful Scots Pine plantation (see photograph, left). The lane itself is not very well signposted, and you will need to proceed to the left when given the obvious choice (when driving it westbound), as straight ahead is a private driveway down to Meadow End Farm and is not open to the public.

Proceeding on a remarkably straight track, Tilford Common passes by on the south and lush equestrian pasture and dense woodland passes to the north. Otherwise unremarkable, but no worse for it, the lane eventually reaches a seasonal ford as the lane crosses a small tributary of the River Wey. As you can see from the video from the trail-biker I've embedded at the bottom of this post, he found it really quite tough! However in the middle of a heatwave in early October 2011 we found it bone dry. The ford has a hard enough surface for a base as someone has laid some bricks along it, but be warned: proceed slowly over it. We once hit the ford at a paltry 15mph and gave Prometheus' suspension such a jolt it actually hurt us, and I could have sworn I'd broken him!

On rounding the gentle corner after the ford, the lane (as previously mentioned) crosses some pronounced undulations and then ends where it meets Grange Road. A great lane, which is awesome even in isolation, but the fact that it is 500m from the start of the epic Sandy Lane makes it better still. The entire area is popular with families and others pursuing leisure, so take more care than usual on this greenlane. Even so, full marks.

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BOAT: Vert Lane

• Overall Rating: 5
• Location: Whitesmith, East Sussex.
• OS Explorer Map 123, 'Eastbourne & Beachy Head, Newhaven, Seaford, Hailsham & Heathfield'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: TQ525138
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 90' 40" E000 16' 70"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference:  TQ500141
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 98' 30" E000 13' 10"
• To see: Blackberry Farm petting zoo, Rowland Wood & Park Corner Heath reserves.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

This post should be read in conjunction with that for Pound Lane, which joins this lane towards its western end. 

Update 13/01/2014: Your intrepid explorers have since discovered that this byway is now subject to a TRO in place for 6 months from 15/02/2014 and is as such closed to all motorised traffic (i.e. horses, cyclists and pedestrians only). This is partly due to the impact of forestry traffic, but partly due to the anti-social actions of the irresponsible minority abusing the greenlane. DON'T be part of the problem. Hopefully, after repairs, the byway will open again, but due to ESCC's precedents one shouldn't hold one's breath...

You're just not getting in.

Original post: Here on the Modern-Day Explorers, we're a sucker for a scenic woodland greenlane, and this is one of the best around.

Starting in the hamlet of Whitesmith, just south of the A22, the lane begins as a metalled track up to some houses whereby it quickly plunges into Vert Wood. As it does so the surface changes into rubble and gravel interspersed with large 'muddy' sections and sizeable potholes, some so sizeable that they are best avoided. But as a positive, due to the fact that Vert Wood is managed woodland and is therefore regularly forested, the lane is nice and wide and provides no threat of scratches from over-eager thornbushes or overhanging branches. Likewise, although this lane is usually very muddy, even in dry weather, the bottom of the potholes seems to be a hard surface and there is very little chance of getting stuck in the apparent 'clag'.

This unusually straight lane continues to undulate gently through beautiful woodland as one travels westbound. However, and I am hesitant to say it, but there is possible evidence of illegal offroading to be seen at various places along the tract. I'm hesitant because some of it is almost certainly from forestry operations. But some of it blatantly isn't, so stay to the track and report anyone you see straying to both the police and GLASS, here.

Rant over. At the halfway point of Vert Lane a metalled country lane called Park Lane crosses your route, so if you don't elect to continue then you can leave the lane at this point. Further west still, at around three-quarters of the total length, Pound Lane, another arguably more pleasant woodland greenlane, branches south toward the village of Laughton. Our lane continues west until it terminates where it meets Shortgate Lane, just north-west of Laughton, on a brief concreted stretch of farm track. A great drive, and a muddy one!

For the kids, Blackberry Farm petting zoo lies just to the north of the eastern end of the lane. And within the same acreage of woodland lies 'Rowland Wood & Park Corner Heath', a nature reserve belonging to the noble Butterfly Conservation charity, is well worth a visit in the warmer months.

To East Sussex County Council this is Laughton Byway 26.

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