Easy green lanes in South of England for 2wd VW bus?

[maturin23]

Wiltshire is the county you want - have a look at bywaymap.com and you'll see a ridiculous concentration of byways/green lanes.

Contrary to the suggestions so far, I'd suggest the area around Avebury/Marlborough - much more varied landscape than Salisbury Plain (and only 20 minutes drive, so you can both!).
As a starter there's a fantastic byway just north of Alton Barnes (pick it up by Pewsey Downs car park) - follow it north from there towards East Kennet.

There's a network of byways from there north and east of Marlborough towards Aldbourne and Ramsbury (both picture-postcard villages with good pubs).

(Edited to add I've driven from Aldbourne to Mildenhall (pron. Minal!) in my 996 C2 - carefully and slowly - but it's possible).

Edited by maturin23 on Thursday 13th July 22:25

[Jo-say8k]

Thanks to those that suggested bywaymaps.com, I've just seen some lanes close to me that I didn't realise were BOATs

[threadlock]

maturin23 said:

Wiltshire is the county you want - have a look at bywaymap.com and you'll see a ridiculous concentration of byways/green lanes.

Contrary to the suggestions so far, I'd suggest the area around Avebury/Marlborough - much more varied landscape than Salisbury Plain (and only 20 minutes drive, so you can both!).
As a starter there's a fantastic byway just north of Alton Barnes (pick it up by Pewsey Downs car park) - follow it north from there towards East Kennet.

There's a network of byways from there north and east of Marlborough towards Aldbourne and Ramsbury (both picture-postcard villages with good pubs).

(Edited to add I've driven from Aldbourne to Mildenhall (pron. Minal!) in my 996 C2 - carefully and slowly - but it's possible).

Thanks for the bywaymap.com tip.

I'm plotting a spur-of-the-moment dash over to Wiltshire tomorrow night before my wife realises I've gone. Is there any reason why my XC90 couldn't cope with these trails? It's a big old thing, and the rear wheels aren't powered at the moment.

Any suggestions for where I could sleep in it? Friendly pubs with quiet car parks?

[FiF]

300bhp/ton said:

Just south of Devizes there are some suitable lanes, although I'd still avoid if wet in your vehicle.



Get yourself a mapping app on your smartphone or ipad. They are brilliant, as they are up to date and show you exactly where you are. You can also record where you drive, so that should you be questioned you have proof of sticking to the rights of way.

I use one called Outdoors GPS on my iPhone/iPad. Which uses OS maps and you can download to your device (very important as you usually have no phone signal on a lot of lanes). OS also do an app with works fine too, although I think is more online based.

Just to add I use OS Maps albeit not for green laning. Have a subscription and it definitely works without an online connection, tracks your route, and zooms between 1:250k, 1:50k and 1:25k OS maps on demand.

I'm often on forest tracks and paths, also out in dense forest away from set paths where there is absolutely no signal and it keeps your location, track and bearings perfectly. Occasionally if you have your phone tucked away in an inside pocket and GPS signal a bit iffy it can lose the plot, but take it out and it finds you quite quickly.

[gareth h]

threadlock said:

Thanks for the bywaymap.com tip.

I'm plotting a spur-of-the-moment dash over to Wiltshire tomorrow night before my wife realises I've gone. Is there any reason why my XC90 couldn't cope with these trails? It's a big old thing, and the rear wheels aren't powered at the moment.

Any suggestions for where I could sleep in it? Friendly pubs with quiet car parks?

Keep off the Plain, the army get a bit snotty about people kipping there.