Island 135 - Piel Island, Cumbria

Piel Island is a small low lying island, which can be reached on foot over the sands from Walney Island at low tide or by boat at all stages of the tide from Roa Island.   I went by boat and spent a couple of hours wandering round the island.  I found the only geocache, had a look at the castle ruins, a wander along the beach and a drink in the pub.  You can camp on the island and there is a public toilet.  A notice in the toilet said that paper towels and other rubbish should not be flushed down the toilet, as it would upset the SCEPTIC tank - obviously a toilet for unbelievers!

The earliest inhabitants lived on Piel about 3,000 years ago.  The island was originally called Foudray or Fotheray from the Old Norse for 'fire island' - meaning a fire beacon to guide ships.  

The island was sold to the town of Barrow in 1919 by the Duke of Buccleuch.

Looking north towards Rampside

The Ship Inn

The menu looked appetising but I didn't have time to stop for a meal, as I had another 4 islands to visit that day!  The Inn is thought to be over 300 years old and may have developed out of a ships' chandlery, which was established on the island in the 17th century.

  The houses

 One was up for sale when I visited and the notice stated that it doesn't have concrete cancer. I think it is a terrace of 8 houses.  The houses were built in 1875 to house pilots.  They were previously housed in a converted barn.

 Back of the Ship Inn

 Castle looking towards Walney

The castle was built by the monks of Furness Abbey on the SE corner of Piel Island in the early 14th Century to protect Barrow from raids by pirates and Scotsmen.  The Abbey was itself involved in the smuggling business.  The castle was already falling into disrepair by the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1537.  The keep, inner and outer baileys and curtain wall are still standing.  It is now in the care of English Heritage.  A salt works was recorded on the island from 1662.  In the late 17th and early 18th Century Piel was important as a place where customs were collected.

 Castle at low tide

 

 King of Piel's seat in the pub

There is a tradition that says that each new pub landlord is crowned King of Piel. That involves sitting in this seat wearing a helmet and holding a sword while alcohol is poured over their head! The ceremony is said to be due to Lambert Simnel (pretender to the throne of England) landing on the island in 1487.
 

Leaving Piel

 Piel Ferry at Roa Island