Walking the Sands to Piel Island

Armed with my newly purchased Wellington Boots (sweet aren't they) a group of guys that I work with, at BAE, and I walked out to Piel Island from Walney Island across the sands at low tide. It was a very enjoyable time even though it was overcast and rather windy. After our 1 mile walk that took about 40 min at a nice slow pace we explored the island.

The sand walkers

Piel Island is the site of the ruins of a 14th century warehouse building that is know as Piel Castle. This building was built by Furness Abbey as a store house for goods that were shipped in or ready to be shipped out. The church at the time had a very lucrative smuggling business.

Piel Castle

There are few cottages that are privately owned on the island. These cottages were built in 1875 as housing for harbor pilots that helped guide ships into Barrow harbor.

One of the Cottages on Piel

The only other thing that is on the island is The Ship Inn. This is a pub that caters to the visitors of the Island. Historically the person that operates the pub is know as the "King of Piel". Unfortunately the pub was closed due to the interior being refurbished, but we were able to get a hot drink (served by the king) at the concession they have set up outside the pub. They have a makeshift bar set up as well but it is not really the same as an old time pub would have been.

The Ship Inn

Here are the rest of the pictures.