BOAT: Ridge Top Lane

• Overall Rating: 3
• Location: Froxfield, Hampshire.
• OS Explorer Map 133, 'Haslemere & Petersfield, Midhurst & Selborne'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: SU719251
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N51 02' 10" W000  97' 70"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU727258
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N51 02' 70" W000 96' 40"
• To see: a Roman bath, Petersfield and Petersfield Heath, Butser Hill.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

NB: this entry should be read in conjunction with that for Lythe Lane.

This byway is also featured in Land Rover Owner International magazine's November 2012 issue as byway number 21. This byway is actually an unadopted section of a rather unkempt country road. It passes along the top of Lythe Hanger, a ridge of high ground that overlooks Petersfield away to the east. Remarkably straight, and with a solid surface of flint over a bed of chalk, and pock-marked with shallow potholes that hold the water long after rains have passed, this lane is also a very easy drive. At no point does any foliage encroach and threaten the paintwork either.

Starting at its western end, the lane begins where an unnamed country lane joins Ridge Top Lane after a substantial climb from the hamlet of Froxfield Green. The greenlane passes through open woodland which is evidently managed by a forestry company, it affords really quite amazing views through the trees and out east towards Petersfield and West Sussex. The lane ends in a similar style to how it began, as a metalled lane that  joins Broad Way near just west of Stoner Hill. However, this lane comes into its own if driven in conjunction with Lythe Lane, another byway that joins the lane very near its western end.

A Roman bath can be found just to the west of the lane, though there's not much to see other than lumps in the soil. Butser Hill, one of the highest points on the South Downs, lies a couple of miles to the south and offers spellbinding views in every direction over Hampshire and West Sussex. The great market town of Petersfield with its main attraction Petersfield Heath, is certainly well worth checking out and maybe even a break for lunch.

This byway is also featured in Land Rover Owner International magazine's November 2012 issue as byway number 21.

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