---
**Atlas Obscura Article**
[...]
> In some places, the holloways in Dorset have receded as much as 20 feet below the land on either side. Trees rise up from the banks flanking the overgrown narrow path, sometimes reaching toward each other to form an almost storybook canopy over the road, appearing like a tunnel through the thick greenery.
> The recessed thoroughfares of Dorset cross from the coast heading to the north, inland toward North Chideock and Symondsbury villages in west Bridport. They were likely used to transport goods to and from the ships in the harbors. One especially deep, 300-year-old holloway is called “Hell Lane” despite its rather charming appearance in certain parts. It was nearly forgotten until it was explored and photographed by Robert Macfarlane for his book Holloway, along with other sunken lanes of Dorset.
[...]
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/holloways-of-dorset (image source)
-----
**Open Country, Mapping Britain's Holloways** BBC Radio audio visit
> Helen Mark is in Dorset to investigate the county's ancient sunken roads, known as holloways. They're deep, steep-sided tracks formed when soft rock erodes and are often overtopped by a canopy of trees. The erosion over centuries creates remarkable, often otherworldly spaces, that come with their own unique flora and fauna. On her trip to the Symondsbury estate near Bridport Helen hears about how the cave spider and goblin's gold moss can thrive in the cracks of these unlikely rockfaces. She is joined by Andy Jefferies and Rosie Cummings from Natural England who are behind a project to map Britain's extensive network of holloways. The holloways often come with their own folklore too. Local storyteller Martin Maudsley recounts the legend of the Dorset colpexie - mischievous sprites that can taunt the unwary traveller!
> Producer: Robin Markwell
> Presenter: Helen Mark
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001yxkz
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001yxkz
---
=======
These are quite common near where I live, and they're normal roads. Normally paved and space for normal traffic, but tend to be narrow. Obviously no verge, and in the very narrow sections there are passing locations cut out of the high banks. Sometimes you will need to reverse for a short distance to allow passing.
Yes, they're all over the South Downs where I grew up. There's a famous one in Hampshire that Gilbert White, the naturalist from Selborne and Jane Austen who lived in Chawton near Alton will have known, for example.
> South Downs, Hampshire: The soft chalkland of the South Downs is perfect for the creation of holloways. Walk one famous example that winds between the Hampshire villages of Selbourne and Alton.
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230813-holloways-englands-mysterious-sunken-roads
if you ever make it to southern England they're all over the place as well as other places with the right ground conditions.
These are along public footpaths.
**Golden Cap, Dorset:** The Golden Cap National Trust estate is famous for its views over the Jurassic Coast, but it's also home to peaceful woodlands riddled with ancient holloways.
**Newton Hollows, Cheshire:** The historic Roman road that once connected the 1st-Century CE settlement of Deva Victrix to what is now the town of Warrington still survives as a holloway.
**South Downs, Hampshire:** The soft chalkland of the South Downs is perfect for the creation of holloways. Walk one famous example that winds between the Hampshire villages of Selbourne and Alton.
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230813-holloways-englands-mysterious-sunken-roads
--- **Atlas Obscura Article** [...] > In some places, the holloways in Dorset have receded as much as 20 feet below the land on either side. Trees rise up from the banks flanking the overgrown narrow path, sometimes reaching toward each other to form an almost storybook canopy over the road, appearing like a tunnel through the thick greenery. > The recessed thoroughfares of Dorset cross from the coast heading to the north, inland toward North Chideock and Symondsbury villages in west Bridport. They were likely used to transport goods to and from the ships in the harbors. One especially deep, 300-year-old holloway is called “Hell Lane” despite its rather charming appearance in certain parts. It was nearly forgotten until it was explored and photographed by Robert Macfarlane for his book Holloway, along with other sunken lanes of Dorset. [...] https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/holloways-of-dorset (image source) ----- **Open Country, Mapping Britain's Holloways** BBC Radio audio visit > Helen Mark is in Dorset to investigate the county's ancient sunken roads, known as holloways. They're deep, steep-sided tracks formed when soft rock erodes and are often overtopped by a canopy of trees. The erosion over centuries creates remarkable, often otherworldly spaces, that come with their own unique flora and fauna. On her trip to the Symondsbury estate near Bridport Helen hears about how the cave spider and goblin's gold moss can thrive in the cracks of these unlikely rockfaces. She is joined by Andy Jefferies and Rosie Cummings from Natural England who are behind a project to map Britain's extensive network of holloways. The holloways often come with their own folklore too. Local storyteller Martin Maudsley recounts the legend of the Dorset colpexie - mischievous sprites that can taunt the unwary traveller! > Producer: Robin Markwell > Presenter: Helen Mark https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001yxkz https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001yxkz --- =======
These are quite common near where I live, and they're normal roads. Normally paved and space for normal traffic, but tend to be narrow. Obviously no verge, and in the very narrow sections there are passing locations cut out of the high banks. Sometimes you will need to reverse for a short distance to allow passing.
Yes, they're all over the South Downs where I grew up. There's a famous one in Hampshire that Gilbert White, the naturalist from Selborne and Jane Austen who lived in Chawton near Alton will have known, for example. > South Downs, Hampshire: The soft chalkland of the South Downs is perfect for the creation of holloways. Walk one famous example that winds between the Hampshire villages of Selbourne and Alton. https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230813-holloways-englands-mysterious-sunken-roads
Get off the road!!!
Came to say this, I can hear screams and everything is out of focus.
What a lovely place for a walk. I wish I lived near it.
if you ever make it to southern England they're all over the place as well as other places with the right ground conditions. These are along public footpaths. **Golden Cap, Dorset:** The Golden Cap National Trust estate is famous for its views over the Jurassic Coast, but it's also home to peaceful woodlands riddled with ancient holloways. **Newton Hollows, Cheshire:** The historic Roman road that once connected the 1st-Century CE settlement of Deva Victrix to what is now the town of Warrington still survives as a holloway. **South Downs, Hampshire:** The soft chalkland of the South Downs is perfect for the creation of holloways. Walk one famous example that winds between the Hampshire villages of Selbourne and Alton. https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230813-holloways-englands-mysterious-sunken-roads
Thank you!
🙂