The Broomway warning notice

The Broomway is a tidal byway out to Foulness Island over Maplin Sands at the mouth of the Thames estuary. The route is so called because it used to be marked by branches of Broom placed at regular intervals on the route. However these have long since gone and the path is now unmarked. The path is dangerous because the tide comes in as fast as you can run and there are quick sands and mud in places if you stray off the route. Foulness Island itself is part of a firing range and most of it is "out of bounds" to the public with the exception of the south east corner of the island, which has a couple of villages and farms. The only road to the island can only be used by MOD permit holders, so the only way for the public to reach the island is by boat or by walking the Broomway.

18-May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

foulness essex coast island swcwalks freewalks walk166 coastwalk170

The Broomway at Wakering Stairs

The start of the Broomway as it heads out onto Maplin Sands.

18-May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

foulness essex coast island swcwalks freewalks walk166 coastwalk170

The Broomway at Wakering Stairs

Heading out onto the Broomway at Wakering Stairs over the mud flats of Mapin Sands.

18-May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

foulness essex coast island swcwalks freewalks walk166 coastwalk170

The Broomway on Maplin Sands

View out over the vast expanse of mud and sand of the Thames estuary at low tide from the Broomway. The object on the horizon is a wrecked boat.

18-May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

foulness essex coast island swcwalks freewalks walk166 coastwalk170

The Broomway on Maplin Sands

18-May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

foulness essex coast island swcwalks freewalks walk166 coastwalk170

Asplins Head

The jetty onto Foulness Island at Asplins Head.

18-May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

foulness essex coast island swcwalks freewalks walk166 coastwalk170

Broomway warning sign on Foulness Island

18-May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

foulness essex coast island swcwalks freewalks walk166 coastwalk170