Great Wakering
Walked 11th October 2024
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This 8.5km walk includes the flat Essex coast, estuary of the River Roach, salt marshes and a "fairy wood" created in the village community wood.
We parked in a estate to the south of Great Wakering (///mixing.contained.moods). At the end of the road is a link to the footpath. Head south then turn left through the gate, across the MoD road and along the Right of Way to the coast.
At the end of the path through the ranges you reach the sea or mud flats, if low tide.
2. Follow the coast path along the sea wall.
3. The slipway down to the mudflats marks the start of The Broomway, a right of way across Maplin Sands. Don't take this route unless you have consulted an expert.
"The Broomway, also formerly called the "Broom Road", is a public right of way over the foreshore at Maplin Sands off the coast of Essex, England.[2] Most of the route is classed as a byway open to all traffic, with a shorter section of bridleway. When the tide is out, it provides access to Foulness Island, and was the only access to Foulness on foot, and the only access at low tide, until a road bridge was built over Havengore Creek in 1922.
At over 600 years old, recorded as early as 1419, the Broomway runs for 6 miles (9.7 km) along the Maplin Sands, approximately 440 yards (400 m) from the present shoreline. It was named for the "brooms", bundles of twigs attached to short poles, with which the route was once marked. A number of headways or hards ran from the track to the shore, giving access to local farms.
The Broomway is extremely dangerous in misty weather, as the incoming tide floods across the sands at high speed and the water forms whirlpools from flows of the River Crouch and River Roach. Under such conditions, the direction of the shore cannot be determined.After the road bridge was opened in 1922, the track ceased to be used, except by the military."
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6. The bridge across to Foulness Island. The footpath goes underneath and continues on the other side.
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9. Unless you wish to enjoy a longer route along the coast, take the path on the left through the far yard. It goes round the buildings then goes straight along the main farm track. Do not follow the footpath sign through the fields.
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Follow the coast path through the gate onto the common and into the woods.
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There are a number of routes through the common and the community wood. One of them has a display of fairy homes.
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After the church, follow the road back to your paring place.
Great Wakering.pdfPage updated
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