The Broomway Walk
The Broomway is an ancient, tidal shingle track located on the Essex coast that once provided the sole link between the mainland and Foulness Island. This walk takes you along an ever-changing, windswept expanse of shingle, where the raw beauty of the estuarine landscape unfolds.
You can start the walk just to the south east of Great Wakering at Wakering Stairs. The path then leads north east to Fisherman's Head on Foulness. It runs for a distance of about 6 miles.
Stretching along the outer reaches of the Thames Estuary, the Broomway offers a dramatic coastal experience. The route is marked by expansive views across tidal flats and open water, with the isolation of Foulness Island looming on the horizon. The stark, shifting shingle creates a sense of remoteness, while the interplay of light and shadow across the undulating surface makes each visit a unique encounter with nature.
Walking the Broomway is not for the faint-hearted. The shingle is notoriously unstable, and the ever-changing tides mean that timing your walk is essential—low tide is your window for safe passage. Few facilities exist along the route, so proper planning, checking tide times, and coming well-prepared are crucial. Despite these challenges, the walk offers a sense of adventure and solitude, with every step revealing the power and beauty of this wild coastal landscape.
The Broomway Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
The Broomway Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
The Broomway OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
The Broomway Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
The Broomway. Due to the harsh, saline conditions, the vegetation along the Broomway is sparse but uniquely adapted. You might spot resilient species such as marram grass and salt-tolerant wildflowers like sea aster and thrift, which cling to life amidst the shifting sands. Despite the barrenness of the ground cover, the area teems with wildlife. The intertidal zones are popular with wading birds—oystercatchers, curlews, and dunlins are frequent visitors, while gulls and terns wheel overhead. In the tidal pools, small crustaceans and marine invertebrates provide a vital food source for these birds.
Wakering Stairs from the seawall. The Broomway has been in use for centuries and is steeped in local history and lore. Historically, it was the only means for the inhabitants of Foulness Island to access the mainland—a lifeline for trade, communication, and sustenance. The route is dotted with stories of smugglers and shipwrecks, underscoring the treacherous nature of the coastal environment. Although modern transportation has rendered the track obsolete for daily use, its historical significance continues to intrigue visitors and historians alike.
The northern end of The Broomway
View north from Fisherman's Head, Foulness