Sunken lane

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Tennyson's Lane, a picturesque sunken lane on Blackdown named in memory of the poet.

A sunken lane is a road which has, through erosion, come to fall significantly below the land on either side. Sunken lanes are a characteristic feature of the landscape of southern England, especially in greensand areas of the Downs and the Weald.

Because the roadway is restricted by the banks on either side, sunken lanes typically admit the passage of only one vehicle; that is, they are single track roads. Occasional passing places are provided where possible; because visibility is restricted by the banks, road users encountering another vehicle will often have to reverse to find a suitable place to pass.

While many sunken lanes are now metalled, and thus unlikely to erode any further down, some are still unsurfaced green lanes, typically now designated as bridleways. A few sunken lanes are open to vehicular traffic as Byways Open to All Traffic, although the severe potential for increased erosion means that such usage is increasingly restricted.

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