Yahoo News Where are the UK's 'sunken lanes'? New map to reveal locations of 'Middle Earth' pathways
Sunken lanes. also known as holloways, were part of the visual inspiration for The Shire and Middle Earth in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.
They're the fantastical ancient trenches which inspired Tolkien's Middle Earth world – and now Britain's 'sunken lanes' will be discoverable for the first time in an interactive map.
The uniquely beautiful roads, described as 'inverted cathedrals in our landscape' thanks to their distinctive banked cliffs with overhanging trees, are dotted around Britain's southern countryside.
Sunken lanes, also known as holloways, were part of the visual inspiration for The Shire and Middle Earth in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.
Now, a world-first project to map Britain's sunken lanes has been launched in order that their ecological, historical and cultural value can be better understood.
Natural England is funding the survey which is starting in Dorset where there are hundreds of sunken lanes.
The initial project will be completed by the end of March and the findings will be published by Natural England.
People across the country are being invited to send in pictures of holloways near them to build up a better picture of how many there are in Britain.
Natural England project leaders Andy Jeffries and Rosie Cummings are hoping to increase that list by creating interactive maps for all the lanes in Dorset.
Jeffries said: "It's impossible to say how many of them might be across Britain.
"We would love to be able to give a rough number of miles but we just couldn't say.
"Using laser scanning we hope to be able to build interactive 3D versions of the holloways for people to explore online."
He added: "There are hundreds of holloways in Dorset alone, they are forgotten worlds that only a select few people will know about...
"It's amazing how some of these beautiful habitats are completely hidden.
"They are like inverted cathedrals lurking in the landscape."
Rose Cummings, an archaeologist, described the incredible historical importance of the trenches.
She added: "They are truly forgotten worlds that have faded from memory.
"When you explore them it's like finding a Jurassic Park environment existing just under our noses...
"We hope that as awareness of them rises that more people will get in touch and increase the interest in further nationwide research.
Why is it called a sunken lane?
Sunken lanes are roads or tracks formed by the passage of people, vehicles, animals and running water that sit several metres below the general level of the surrounding land.
The pathways, which were created as far back as the Roman times, are situated in rural areas where the ground is rich in softer sandstone to help farmers move livestock.
They gradually eroded into gullies which became sunken trenches and the environment within them creates a unique temperate ecology that allows rare plants such as spreading bellflowers, naval wort and hearts tongue ferns to thrive.
Where to see sunken lanes
Sunken lanes can be found in southern England, particularly in the chalk areas of the North and South Downs.
Many others can be found in the Surrey Hills AONB, while they are also a feature of the West Country – particularly in Dorset and west Wales.
Many National Trust places also feature sunken lanes, including:
Petworth, West Sussex
Dunstable Downs, Bedfordshire
Golden Cap in Dorset
Nap Wood in East Sussex
Felbrigg Hall, Gardens and Estate in Norfolk
