4x4 FUN

[reflexboy]

I have a free day today and want to take the Jeep out for a play. I know the law changed last year regarding where you can and cannot drive a vehicle on a right of way. You can still legally drive on a 'BOAT'- Which is a 'Byeway open to all traffic'. Whilst I don't want to damage the Jeep, I would like to find somewhere where I can attempt a few steeep gradients and rough tracks. QUESTION: Does anyone know of a 'BOAT' in or around Surrey where I can take the Jeep and stay on the right side of the law?

 

[reflexboy]

Found a list of 'BOAT's on Surrey County Council's website, printed them off, Tom Tom in hand.......off to get muddy (or stuck)

 

[pammy]

Have a great day!!

I did a google search for you and couldn't find anything for BOATs, but there seems to be a great 4x4 centre near Bristol that does open days for £20. Could be worth a day out at some time.

Pity you're not up norf coz there's a brill place near Bradfod - Tong

 

[grober]

Spoilsport

Not wishing to put a damper on things but one of the frequent pieces of advice about offroading is to do it in the company of at least one other vehicle preferably with at least one winch between you. At least then if you get stuck you have a mate to pull you out or vice versa. The "Sinking feeling " literal and metaphorical you get with a bogged down vehicle miles from anywhere on your own isn't a good one. I feel I have dug/extracted enough land rovers out of peat bogs in the past to pass on this warning. You might be lucky enough to team up with someone wherever you end up but don't rely on it. Sorry to be a spoilsport.

 

[Ian B Walker]

Sensible advice Greame

 

[Sp!ke]

Beggars way near Abinger Hammer, close to Box Hill, challenging and technical in places and a good place to get a feel for it. You shouldnt get stuck as long as you are reasonably careful. Bring a spade just in case and you can usually dig yourself out of trouble (I know I've been there)

If you ever want showing some lanes, give me a shout.

 

[reflexboy]

Well, the day was a washout. All the places I found would probably be great on a slightly drier day, but as said above, I was the sole vehicle and the ground conditions were very wet and not having a winch I decieded I really didn't want to get stuck on a rainy Sunday. Roll on the dryer weather.

 

[reflexboy]

Beggars way near Abinger Hammer, close to Box Hill, challenging and technical in places and a good place to get a feel for it. You shouldnt get stuck as long as you are reasonably careful. Bring a spade just in case and you can usually dig yourself out of trouble (I know I've been there)

If you ever want showing some lanes, give me a shout.

I have found Beggars Lane on streetmap.co.uk, just off the A25, near to Abinger and Gomshall. I presume that is the one Sp!ke? It is on the BOAT list as well. As soon as it's dry, I'll be there. Thanks.

 

[Bear]

You could try Brickiln Farm in Brickiln Lane,Alton,Hants its a pay and play site,I've been there with the GWOA and the Hafflinger Club I seem to remember it was only 10 quid for all day.If you get stuck there's normally somebody willing to help you out or alternatively the farmer can do it if you cross his palm with silver
To get there follow the A31 from Alton Hampshire towards Four Marks and Alresford. Follow the dual carriageway until you come to the roundabout at the junction with the A32. Carry on down the A31and after a short while you will see a small gap turning right across the road towards a brick bridge. Go through this bridge and follow the signs to the main car park. Make sure you are in the right hand lane to make this turn!!!
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=51.1246&lon=-1.0226&scale=50000&icon=x
Alternatively you could try the Woodlands in Swanley Kent 20 quid pay and play,first sunday of the month too late to go this month only just saw your posting.Check their site out here http://www.woodlands4x4.ic24.net/index.html
I second Grober's advice re not going out on your own,plenty of 4x4 clubs out there on the net probably worth joining one?

 

[Sp!ke]

I have found Beggars Lane on streetmap.co.uk, just off the A25, near to Abinger and Gomshall. I presume that is the one Sp!ke? It is on the BOAT list as well. As soon as it's dry, I'll be there. Thanks.

Yeah thats the one... I would advise tacling it from the top end and heading south west. There's a big hill at the Gomshall end with a stream running down its length which will frighten the hell out of you... best tackled going down hill for your first pass, as you wont get stuck going down - no brakes, just low ratio, first gear and lots of control.

There's lots of lanes around there that you can play on. Ring the local council and ask for a copy of 'the definitive map' if you are unsure.

As I say, you may benefit from a guide first time out.

If you want to go further afield and have the backup of others around you could do worse than go to Toms Farm in Wales. Some pictures HERE will give you an idea of what fun can be had.

If you are after some water fun, the 'biggest nearest' is near Iver, near LHR. Theres a 100m ford with a firm easy base if you are feeling brave. I've done it on the bike a few times but I'm not sure of its depth in the wet season.

 

[Carrotchomper]

IS the red landy stuck there? Doesn't seem to be a great deal of movement and if they haven't got a snorkel it looks like trouble...

 

[reflexboy]

Poor landy....I know our roads are getting worse, but that really is a nasty pothole

 

[reflexboy]

Yeah thats the one... I would advise tacling it from the top end and heading south west. There's a big hill at the Gomshall end with a stream running down its length which will frighten the hell out of you... best tackled going down hill for your first pass, as you wont get stuck going down - no brakes, just low ratio, first gear and lots of control.

Ok, today I messed up and ended up at Beggar's Lane in Chobham-Don't ask! Found Beggar's Lane Abinger/Gomshall, but when you say start at the top end end, where exactly do you mean, as I can only find the entrance to Beggar's Lane, just off the A25? See here: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...ey,+RH5&searchp=newsearch.srf&mapp=newmap.srf

 

[Seamster15]

Ok, today I messed up and ended up at Beggar's Lane in Chobham-Don't ask! Found Beggar's Lane Abinger/Gomshall, but when you say start at the top end end, where exactly do you mean, as I can only find the entrance to Beggar's Lane, just off the A25? See here: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...ey,+RH5&searchp=newsearch.srf&mapp=newmap.srf

Other way, you need to finsh up in Gomshall. The you can pop down to the White Horse in Shere for a nice lunch!

Cheers,

Simon

 

[Sp!ke]

start here

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...=4&ar=Y&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf

once done drive 2 miles up the road and do this one.

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...=4&ar=Y&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf

 

[reflexboy]

Excellent. Thanks for that Sp!ke I had a little play at Elm Lane today, just off the A3 near Wisley. It was my first time green laning, so I was a bit worried about getting stuck but all was ok, except the deep ruts and sqidgey mud was a bit worrying for an amateur. Will this Beggars Lane course be ok for a 1st timer? bearing in mind I have standard road Wrangler Goodyears on the Jeep, no winch and no towing eyes except for the factory ones. I did the sensible thing and took some wellies, a rope, a spade and some thick lumps of timber just in case. Also the Jeep is actually my partner's car and on a 52 plate, so it was quite expensive and I don't want to take it anywhere silly where I may damage it..but I wanna have some FUN

 

[Sp!ke]

you should be fine... I used to do it all in my SJ410 in winter in 2WD just to make it interesting.

Just keep to the tracks where the ground has been firmed up by other vehicles. If it looks like no-one drives through a particular bit, there's probably a reason.

As I say, take a friend and a spade (just in case).

 

[reflexboy]

Sorry for the confusion, but the way I see it-I start at Drove Road, off Ranmore Common Road, and that leads me onto Beggars Lane and down into Gomshall-is that right? Cheers

 

[Seamster15]

I shall be purchasing an old Defender or Disco soon, so may be able to accompany you!

 

[reflexboy]

I shall be purchasing an old Defender or Disco soon, so may be able to accompany you!

Sounds good to me