Piel Island Walk
This walk visits the historic castle on Piel Island in Morecambe Bay, Cumbria.
Piel is one of The Islands of Furness, situated to the south-west and east of the Furness Peninsula. You can catch the Piel Ferry to the island from Roa Island which is located just to the south east of Barrow in Furness. There are also boat trips to see the colony of birds and seals which haul out onto the shingle beach. You can walk to the island at low tide from Walney Island but local guidance is required before attempting this.
On the island you can follow footpaths around the photogenic ruins of Piel Castle. The English Heritage owned castle dates from the 14th century. It was built by the Abbot of Furness to guard Barrow-in-Furness against pirates and Scots raiders. The large keep, inner and outer baileys and the towered curtain walls are still standing.
The island includes a pebble beach where you can look over to the seal colony on Walney Island to the west. Also look out for birds including Eider duck, Cormorants, Herring Gull, Blackheaded Gulls, and when the tide is out waders and shore birds such as Curlew, Green Shank, Red Shank, Plover, Shell Duck and Lapwing. There's also great views of the huge windfarms in the Irish Sea, several Lake District fells and Blackpool Tower on a clear day.
Postcode
LA13 0QN - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPiel Island Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Piel Island Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Piel Island OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Piel Island Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
On the island you'll find the Ship Inn which is thought to be over 300 years old. It is believed to have developed out of a former ships’ chandlery established in the 17th century. The pub's landlord is known as the King of Piel. In a room of the inn is a large oak chair and anyone who sits in it is made a 'Knight of Piel'. The present-day cost of becoming a knight is to buy a round of drinks for all those present.
The pub serves real ale and has an outdoor area with fantastic sea views.
Dog Walking
Dogs are allowed on the island but must be kept on leads. The Ship Inn mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
To continue your walking in the area head to the nature reserve on Walney Island. There's a series of waymarked walking trails with a huge variety of wildlife to look out for.
In Roa Island you can pick up the epic Cumbria Coastal Way and follow it into Barrow and then onto Walney Island.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Piel Island as viewed from Roa Island
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Gatehouse at Piel Castle
Piel Castle Keep from Scar End Point, Walney
Piel Castle
Aerial view of the island
Life Boat Station on Roa Island
View Back Along Jetty To Roa Island
Roa island looking north from lifeboat station pier, with a terrace of houses at the south of the island on the left of the picture. Also to the left is the landing stage for the Piel island ferry and Roa Island House hotel is on the right of the picture. Roa Island is connected to the mainland to the north by a causeway.