4 days ago
The ‘secret' UK island surrounded by the country's deadliest footpath
FOULNESS Island is a mere six miles from Essex, but anyone wanting to walk over will have to take on one of the deadliest paths in Britain.
The Broomway is so dangerous that it can only be walked with a guide during certain times of the day - before the tide comes in.
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Foulness Island, which is separated from Essex by narrow creeks, is dangerous to get to if you travel on The Broomway because of rising tides.
The path connects Foulness Island to the mainland and stretches along the sands for six miles.
The Broomway is considered dangerous because of rapidly rising tides, soft mud and quicksand, and the unexploded ordnance.
There is often poor visibility across the path, which makes it hard to navigate in bad weather and during winter months.
Over centuries, the path is said to have killed more than 100 people and at some points in history it was even called 'The Doomway'.
As a result, The Broomway has earned itself the title of 'deadliest footpath in the country' by the BBC.
Don't let that put you off though as some hikers have said a guided walk along the path is very special.
One wrote on Tripadvisor: "On the way back you pass an old shipwreck before heading back. The landscape across the estuary is amazing and will take your breath away."
Another added: " A fascinating, eerie walk on firm sand with an inch or two of water swirling in the wind at our feet."
Someone even said it's worth adding to the 'bucket list.'
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For anyone wanting to visit Foulness Island, you can also go by car with access by road via Landwick Security Gate.
However, Foulness is a 'closed island', meaning you can't just turn up.
In order to step foot on the island, visitors will need to complete a registration form on the Foulness Island Heritage Centre website in advance of a visit.
Non-residents can visit the island from 12pm-4pm on the first Sunday of every month from April to October.
Anyone who wants to visit the Heritage Centre must declare so at the police checkpoint.
The Foulness Island Heritage Centre first opened in 2003 inside a former school, which closed to students in the late 1980s.
Inside is lots of artefacts and pieces of memorabilia covering 2,000 years of the island's history.
Visitors to the island aren't allowed to freely explore, but there are organised excursions, including a visit to the church.
Most other places on the island have closed in recent years, like The George and Dragon pub - schools and most shops have also closed.
There is a post office which is also a general shop, but this is in one of the restricted areas of the island.
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Foulness Island is home to around 200 residents who live mostly in the two villages on the north side of Foulness called Churchend and Courtsend.
The reason why Foulness is a 'closed island' is because it's owned by the Ministry of Defence.
It's allegedly used to test munitions like missiles, torpedoes and ballistics - although the exact nature of this work is classified.
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