BOAT: Steadlands Hill

• Overall Rating: 2
• Location: Haslemere, Surrey
• OS Explorer Map 133, 'Haslemere & Petersfield'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU903326
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 07' 70" W000 71' 20"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU905421
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 08' 10" W000 70' 80"
• To see: not much.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

We drove this pretty short byway from its southern end, leaving the Hampshire/Surrey border northwards from Bell Vale Lane at Stedlands Farm, after passing a truly astounding bamboo thicket. It's gone bananas, completely out of control, and the Environment Agency really should clear it before it takes over the entire valley!

After a very short distance on the tarmac this byway begins in earnest. The surface changes to a muddy one with a central washout, but as this lane is evidently little used it is in pretty good condition. However, the same cannot be said of the general condition of the undergrowth on either side: it is possible to force a way through the holly without much effort but scratches on the paintwork are a guarantee.

The track climbs steeply uphill and after a gentle turn to the right the foliage really closes in. Most of it is untrimmed overhang from the gardens that border the green lane, with laurel and rhododendrons being their particularly aggressive and invasive selves. As the byway ends up on Scotland Lane this foliage shields the view to either side and you have to edge your way out into the road a fair way in order to see if the path is clear, so do take care (or a Haslemere resident in a Smart car will shake his head at you in terror!). Not really worth going out of your way for, and not really worth it even if you pass by, this green lane (Waverley Byway 104 to Surrey County Council) has little to recommend it.

View Steadlands Hill in a larger map

BOAT: Stoatley Hollow

• Overall Rating: 3
• Location: Shottermill, Surrey.
• OS Explorer Map 133, 'Haslemere & Petersfield'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU896337
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 09' 60" W000 72' 20"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU890340
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 09' 90" W000 72' 90"
• To see: not much.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

This is a pretty short byway that runs along the northern edge of the sprawl of housing in this corner of Haslemere. We drove it from east to west. Leaving Bunch Lane the track initially serves as a metalled driveway to a sizeable cottage, but on passing the aforementioned it leaves the tarmac behind and the earthen/leaf mould surface begins. This byway appears to be little used and, although mostly unrutted, it is a holloway and has a slight natural drainage channel down the middle of it. The foliage on either side of the lane for the most part keeps itself to itself and is not a factor.

It's pretty easy going therefore, except for the relatively steep hill climb it presents which becomes rather slippery in wet weather: traction control was flicking on and off despite it being relatively dry when we drove it. No sooner has the summit of the hill been reached then the prepared surface resumes its service of the houses on either side and the track abruptly ends on Farnham Lane. Not really worth going out of your way for, and only worth it if you're driving in the Devil's Punchbowl anyway.

For Surrey County Council it is BOAT 105 and is part of the Greensand Way.

View Stoatley Hollow in a larger map

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?

View Old Portsmouth Road in a larger map

BOAT: Boxalls Hill

• Overall Rating: 3
• Location: Beacon Hill, Surrey.
• OS Explorer Map 133, 'Haslemere & Petersfield'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU870365
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 12' 10" W000 75' 80"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference:  SU866358
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates:  N51 11' 50" W000 76' 60"
• To see: Waggoner's Wells, ford.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

NB: this byway (as of 05/05/2014) has had a lot of work done on it, and is now (apparently) a very relaxed and easy-going drive! The original article, although now out-of-date, is still included below for reference. 

NB: this is an extremely challenging lane and you may well not be able to complete it. Avoid unless you really do know what you are doing! If you elect to drive it, please use this lane sparingly to avoid further damage to the surface.

Bad picture, worse surface.

This byway is also featured in Land Rover Owner International magazine's November 2012 issue as byway number 7. We travelled southbound. Due to damage this relatively short green lane was recently subject to a TRO, but this appears to have been lifted after the worst of the damage was repaired (apparently. I dread to think what it was like before!). Starting from the northern end, then, this byway heads downhill from the A287 (Churt Road). It's pretty easy going, on a decent surface of compacted earth that was no doubt improved by the works. The lane flows through aesthetically-pleasing pine woodland and follows the edge of some back gardens, which are fenced off. At the lane's low point can be found a very shallow ford; I'd be hard pressed to think of any challenge it would face even if the area was in flood.

From the ford, however, things change. I'm not sure if the budget ran out but this section of the track has most certainly not been repaired! Heading uphill for a short distance out of the ford, the surface changes to rutted, soft mud, which continues until the hill levels off and follows a field boundary with a pleasant view to the north. On resuming a descent the lane appears to have dried out as the surface changes to one that looks, at face value anyway, to contain more sand than the mud before. Due to this the surface from this point is incredibly bumpy and rutted, and the going is extremely hard with a high chance of becoming cross-axled. This is not helped at this by having to negotiate your way around a mature oak tree (which we managed, barely). After passing the tree the lane bears to the right and here the worst of it can be found. A steep hill descent counts in your favour due to the assistance of gravity (the main reason we got through unscathed!) and here the surface has some literally vehicle-swallowing pot holes, at times one or more wheels may not be on the ground and becoming cross-axled is even more likely. Once this stretch has been negotiated the byway ends on Whitmore Vale Road, which also acts as the Hampshire/Surrey border.

Although the 'hard bit' is only a few yards long it is extremely hard to negotiate it successfully without either damage to the lane or your vehicle (or both). Talking to a fellow green-laner (who owned a pretty swish V8 Discovery with a suspension lift and winch: clearly a 4x4 not short of capability) who watched our descent said that in his vehicle he was unable to get up the lane at all and had given up! Be warned: even with all the 'kit' this lane might just be too much for your vehicle. We would be interested to hear from anyone else who tried to navigate its perils, or, even better, from people with a spade and pick-axe who would be willing to 'iron out the bumps' for the future enjoyment of all.

If, for some mad reason, you are up for a further challenge, cross the road and head for a hill climb on another byway called Whitmore Hanger, or relax and head for a picnic and a stroll at Waggoner's Wells: two large ponds, possibly created to serve a mill of iron foundry that was never built, that offer some decent, child-friendly walks around a scenic wooded valley.

This is Surrey County Council's Haslemere Byway 5.

The, uh..., 'ford'.

View Boxalls Hill in a larger map

BOAT: Pitch Lane

• Overall Rating: 2
• Location: Thursley, Surrey.
• OS Explorer Map 133, 'Haslemere & Petersfield'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU887390
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 14' 40" W000 73' 40"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference:  SU887385
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates:  N51 13' 90" W000 73' 40"
• To see: not much.  
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Tighter than a crude and juvenile joke!

Also know as Pitch Place Road (Surrey County Council Byway 103). Turning south off of Thursley Road, this byway starts out as a driveway serving Pitch Place Farm. Heading southwards the prepared surface soon ends and a sandy surface with a leaf mould covering in places strikes out uphill in a hollow way. Overgrown undergrowth is never a problem either.

Otherwise unremarkable, the only point of real interest on the lane is where a mature tree has fallen across the lane, leaving just (and I do mean just) enough room for a Land Rover Defender 110 to squeeze under with less than an inch to spare (see picture). If you are driving anything taller, or anything with a suspension lift or roof rack you will not fit through and will have to reverse.

Once past this obstacle, the lane continues uphill and soon splits into two slightly diverging paths just before the end. The correct route, following the byway, is the 'right-hand fork'. The undergrowth has closed in just a little, and the surface is a little less well prepared than previously on this lane, but it is by no means an issue and it is an easy drive to the end of the byway on Hyde Lane.

This byway is also featured in Land Rover Owner International magazine's November 2012 issue as byway number 1, and is Surrey County Council's Thursley Byway 103.

View Pitch Lane in a larger map

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

BOAT: Ash Green Lane West/Spoil Lane/South Lane

• Overall Rating: 0
• Location: Ash Green, Surrey.
• OS Explorer Map 145, 'Guildford & Farnham, Godalming & Farnborough'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU902497
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 23' 90" W000 70' 90"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU888496
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 23' 90" W000 72' 90"
• To see: Ash Green Station.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

This complex of lanes, consisting of Ash Green Lane West, Spoil Lane and South Lane, is subject to a TRO in its entirety and is as such closed to motorised traffic. Go and drive Ash Green Lane East instead. 

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.

This is Surrey County Council's Ash Byway 518.

View Ash Green Lane West in a larger map

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.

View Pisley Lane in a larger map

BOAT: Green Lane

• Overall Rating: 3
• Location: Walliswood, Surrey.
• OS Explorer Map 134, 'Crawley & Horsham'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: TQ124394
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 14' 40" W000 39' 40"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: TQ125388
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 13' 80" W000 39' 30"
• To see: Wallis Wood nature reserve.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

This pleasant, if short, byway diverges southwards from the excellent Pisley Lane with its ford, and this article is intended to be read in conjunction with the former. It proceeds on a relatively straight course on a good-quality, unrutted surface of leaf mould and earth through some well tended, cut back and very pleasant woodland called Holden Wood.

After too short a distance the lane ends back on tarmac where it meets the residential road named Trap Lane, which still seems to be marked as a BOAT on the OS map. A quick word of warning: this lane is very popular with equestrians so take care lest you should bump into one of them. There's not a huge amount left to be said, and this short byway scores higher than it otherwise would due to it's proximity to and integration with Pisley Lane.

It escapes me entirely why 'nature' should be restricted only to reserves and national parks, but whilst you're here you should go and check out the Surrey Wildlife Trust's Wallis Wood nature reserve, which is astonishingly beautiful in springtime.

This is Surrey County Council's Abinger Byway 543.

View Pisley Lane in a larger map

BOAT: Lowerhouse Lane

• Overall Rating: 3
• Location: Walliswood, Surrey.
• OS Explorer Map 134, 'Crawley & Horsham'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: TQ113382
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 13' 20" W000 41' 10"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: TQ111395
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 14' 40" W000 41' 30"
• To see: not much.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

This short byway seems to be in the heartland of 'Surrey equestrianism', and as such a large number of riders will often be encountered. This greenlane seems to have been prepared especially for the use of said horses, as it offers a completely unrutted surface of compacted earth that has most certainly been imported from elsewhere. Ideally suited to a canter!

We drove this lane from south to north. Starting just west of the pleasant village of Walliswood the trail strikes out almost due north on a remarkably straight line from a cluster of cottages on Froggetts Lane. Driving through the un-inspirationally titled but agreeably sylvanian Buildings Wood, this relatively short greenlane ends far too quickly back on the tarmac of Lyefield Lane between Lower Breache Farm and Lowerhouse Farm: a distance of less than a mile.

If you can avoid the 'Charge of the Light Brigade' this really is a pleasant lane. It is also very well maintained, with the foliage cut right back, and even in very wettest of conditions it remains well drained. There was room for a chap in a beret to lead three horses abreast and still pass our Land Rover safely qith room to spare (don't ask...). It is therefore very easy going and probably a very good lane for those new to greenlaning to introduce themselves to our chosen leisure pursuit! Just look out for horses, and remain courteous and considerate when you do inevitably meet them.

This is Surrey County Council's Abinger Byway 541.

View Lowerhouse Lane in a larger map

FORD: Rectory Lane

• Overall Rating: 3
• Location: Shere, Surrey.
• OS Explorer Map 145, 'Guildford & Farnham'.
• OS Grid Reference: TQ071478
• GPS Co-ordinates: N51 21' 90" W000 46' 80"
• To see: the village of Shere.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

This very shallow ford over the Tilling Bourne has a concrete bottom and is seldom very deep, even after very wet periods. Worth a visit if you're passing but I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to drive it. Why not break for lunch in the picturesque village of Shere?

View Rectory Lane Ford in a larger map

FORD: Chantry Lane

• Overall Rating: 1
• Location: Shere, Surrey.
• OS Explorer Map 145, 'Guildford & Farnham'.
• OS Grid Reference: TQ069477
• GPS Co-ordinates:  N51 21' 80" W000 47' 10"
• To see: the village of Shere.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

This over the Tilling Bourne crosses a dead-end street and is right at its very tip, so there is no point driving to it and is merely included for completeness (we'd hate for you to think we hadn't turned over every single stone!). This ford is far better used to kick back, enjoy a picnic and have a paddle. Why not break for lunch in the picturesque village of Shere?

View Chantry Lane Ford in a larger map

BOAT: Painshill Lane

• Overall Rating: 0
• Location: Bramley, Surrey.
• OS Explorer Map 134, 'Crawley & Horsham'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: TQ023383
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 13' 50" W000 54' 00"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: TQ025392
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 14' 30" W000 53' 60"
• To see: Wey & Arun Canal,  Dunsfold Aerodrome, former Guildford-Horsham railway.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

This byway is closed to traffic with a TRO in effect until 23/06/2013 due to damage to its surface. It may, or may not, re-open after that date.

The former Wey & Arun Canal can be found just to the east, Dunsfold Aerodrome to the south, whilst the course of the defunct Guildford-Horsham railway (now a footpath) can be found passing the lane a little further to the east.

View Painshill Lane in a larger map

BOAT: Lion's Lane

• Overall Rating: 0
• Location: Cranleigh, Surrey.
• OS Explorer Map 134, 'Crawley & Horsham'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: TQ045370
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 12' 20" W000 50' 80"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: TQ057373
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 12' 50" W000 49' 10"
• To see: Wey & Arun Canal,  Dunsfold Aerodrome, former Guildford-Horsham railway.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

This byway is unfortunately closed to 4x4 traffic with width restriction bollards, but somewhat unfairly it is open to trail bikers and other motorised traffic. Lame.

The former Wey & Arun Canal, and Dunsfold Aerodrome can be found just to the west, whilst the course of the defunct Guildford-Horsham railway can be found passing the lane to the east.

View Lion's Lane in a larger map

BOAT: Beggars Lane

• Overall Rating: 0
• Location: Abinger Hammer, Surrey.
• OS Explorer Map 146, 'Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate, Leatherhead & Caterham.'
• Starting OS Grid Reference: TQ092447
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 21' 80" W000 43' 80"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: TQ111496
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 23' 50" W000 41' 10"
• To see: Lovelace Bridges, Ranmore Common, Effingham Forest.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Beggars Lane is unfortunately closed to 4x4 traffic, but somewhat unfairly it is open to trail bikers and other motorised traffic. Lame. Instead, go drive Sheepwalk Lane which passes the northern end of this byway.

No dice.

View Beggars Lane in a larger map

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.

View Sheepwalk Lane in a larger map

BOAT: Chalkpit Lane

• Overall Rating: 3
• Location: Effingham, Surrey.
• OS Explorer Map 146, 'Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate, Leatherhead & Caterham.'
• Starting OS Grid Reference: TQ131525
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 26' 00" W000 38' 00"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: TQ128536
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 27' 00" W000 38' 40"
• To see: Polesden Lacey, Ranmore Common.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Chalkpit Lane (we never saw any evidence of the pit it takes its name from...) drives southwards from the A246 west of Leatherhead in the village of Effingham. It's pretty unremarkable when considered on its own, but when considered along with Hogden Lane it is most certainly worth a look, and scores higher because of it.

The lane offers a decent enough drive on a short stretch of concrete which quickly changes to a well tended gravel surface, and is bordered on its eastern side by a low hedgerow and on its west by a narrow strip of woodland, both of which have been recently cut back (apparently by Esso, or so says the random sign) so that they do not impede access at all (i.e. the paintwork is safe!).

At its southern end it merges with Hogden Lane, and this article is designed to be read in conjunction with that one, so please click through to it. 

Note the rubbish bag hung on the Byway sign. This should not even need to be said, but that bag should not exist. The fact it does is an embarrassment and not a good advert for the human race. Those who litter should have their hands cut off! DON'T DO IT! Full marks to the decent folk who tidied up and put it there for the use of others. (Sorry for the rant, but I despise litter. It really gets to me! As you can see.)

The junction with Hogden Lane.

View Chalkpit Lane in a larger map

BOAT: Pitchfont Lane

• Overall Rating: 0
• Location: Limpsfield, Surrey.
• OS Explorer Map 146, 'Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate, Leatherhead & Caterham.'
• Starting OS Grid Reference: TQ398555
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 28' 10" E000 00' 40"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: TQ406538
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 26' 60" E000 01' 30"
• To see: Titsey Place and Gardens.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

This byway used to be a BOAT before the M25 severed it. It is now gated off and serves as the access road to the car park of Titsey Place and Gardens. Pointless to drive it unless you mean to visit the house.

View Pitchfont Lane in a larger map

UCR: East Shalford Lane

• Overall Rating: 1
• Location: Shalford, Surrey.
• OS Explorer Map 145, 'Guildford & Farnham, Godalming & Farnborough'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: TQ000477
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 22' 00" W000 57' 00"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: TQ015472
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 21' 50" W000 54' 90"
• To see: nothing much.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

This lane is little more than a country road with a fairly unkempt tarmac surface, and it is a dead end as the level crossing on the North Downs Line is locked permanently. East Shalford Lane is really not worth the bother of driving unless you have a reason to do so.

View East Shalford Lane in a larger map

BOAT: Railpit Lane

• Overall Rating: 1
• Location: Fickleshole, Surrey.
• OS Explorer Map 146, 'Dorking, Box Hill, & Reigate'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: TQ392596
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 31' 90" W000 00' 40"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference:  TQ394604
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 32' 50" W000 00' 10"
• To see: not much.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Unfortunately this lane is too far gone and overgrown to seriously consider driving a 4x4 down, and damage would be inevitable, though a trail biker could possibly get through, with difficulty. As such, it's best to avoid this byway unless something drastically changes.

View Railpit Lane in a larger map