Current status
Military range, can close without notice
Military range: runs inside MoD Shoeburyness, a military danger area. It can close without notice for live firing, check the range's firing times and obey red flags and signage before riding. (Area from OpenStreetMap.)
Military area mapped in OpenStreetMap.
Check its status nowOpens a search for any current Traffic Regulation Order on The Broomway, the same Legal Status Search as in the app. Status checked against our data on 23/09/2026.
Where it runs
The Broomway in red, with the lanes around it.
- AThe northeast end, near Churchend
- BThe southwest end, near Great Wakering
Exact start points, GPX and navigation are in Premium.
Unlock →On the lane
- Tidal route across the Maplin Sands foreshore: the tide comes in as fast as you can run, with soft mud and quicksand off the line, and it is extremely dangerous in mist. Thought to have killed more than 100 people. Only attempt with local knowledge and tide times, never alone.
- Ford, depth varies
- Foulness Island MOD range: byway subject to closure for military live-firing operations at any time, no fixed schedule. Check with the range office before riding (Essex CC, Rochford district).
Difficulty estimated from OpenStreetMap trail-condition tags, not a rider’s assessment. Ridden it? Suggest a grade from its card in the app.
Holloway Premium
Ride The Broomway with Holloway
- Navigate to either end in one tap, Google Maps takes you straight there
- Add it to a route with the lanes around it, joined by real roads
- Download the GPX of the whole lane, every section stitched together
- Live navigation with the lane on screen as you ride
£1 from every membership goes toward keeping lanes open.
Lanes nearby
The closest named lanes, measured from The Broomway.
- Turtle Wall2.3 km north · 0.4 km long · Military range, can close without notice
- The Chase3.1 km northeast · 0.3 km long · Military range, can close without notice
Questions riders ask
Is The Broomway open to motorcycles?
Only when the range allows it. The Broomway is recorded as a Byway Open to All Traffic, but it sits on a military range that can close it without notice. Check with the range before you ride.
How long is The Broomway?
About 6.0 km, measured across all 4 of its mapped sections. Its two ends are around 5.8 km apart in a straight line.
Where does The Broomway start and finish?
One end is near Churchend, at the northeast end, and the other is near Great Wakering, at the southwest end. The map on this page shows both.
Find more lanes like this
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Open the map, free Every named lane in EssexLane data from OpenStreetMap contributors and council rights of way records. Place names © OpenStreetMap contributors. Reference only: legal status changes, check signage and current Traffic Regulation Orders before riding.
