The Broomway and Foulness Island walk

Fabled tidal road off the coast off Essex across Maplin Sands to Foulness Island.

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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.
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.

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

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

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

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

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

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

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

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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.
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.

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

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The Broomway on Maplin Sands
The Broomway on Maplin Sands

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

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Asplins Head The jetty onto Foulness Island at Asplins Head.
Asplins Head

The jetty onto Foulness Island at Asplins Head.

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

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Broomway warning sign on Foulness Island
Broomway warning sign on Foulness Island

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

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Path to Shelford Head on Foulness Island
Path to Shelford Head on Foulness Island

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

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The Broomway at Asplins Head on Foulness ISland
The Broomway at Asplins Head on Foulness ISland

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

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The quay on Foulness Island
The quay on Foulness Island

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

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Foulness Island from the quay
Foulness Island from the quay

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

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Foulness Island from the quay
Foulness Island from the quay

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

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Foulness Heritage Centre The heritage centre occupies the old school house. The school closed in 1988.
Foulness Heritage Centre

The heritage centre occupies the old school house. The school closed in 1988.

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

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Fishermans Head, Foulness Island
Fishermans Head, Foulness Island

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

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Fishermans Head, Foulness Island
Fishermans Head, Foulness Island

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

foulness essex coast island swcwalks freewalks walk166 coastwalk170 14053600907

Old military shells at Fishermans Head, Foulness Island
Old military shells at Fishermans Head, Foulness Island

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

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Houses on Foulness Island
Houses on Foulness Island

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

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Derelict barn on Foulness Island
Derelict barn on Foulness Island

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

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The church on Foulness Island The church is now disused and derelict. I believe it closed in 2008. The spire leans slightly as it is suffering subsidence.
The church on Foulness Island

The church is now disused and derelict. I believe it closed in 2008. The spire leans slightly as it is suffering subsidence.

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

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The former George and Dragon pub, Foulness Island The pub closed in 2007.
The former George and Dragon pub, Foulness Island

The pub closed in 2007.

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

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Footpath on Foulness Island
Footpath on Foulness Island

May-14 • JonCombe on Flickr

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