Walney Island across the sands to Piel Island, Cumbria.
[ 6.0 km] Mon 29 Aug 2011

SD 2086 6390
Early afternoon I drove to Walney Island near Barrow. It was a pleasant drive as far as Ulverston then was fairly dull as I continues along the A590 to Barrow-in-Furness. Over the bridge I continued SE across Walney Island to Snab Point where there is a parking area. I could just see Piel Island but most of it was obscured by Sheep Island. I’d checked the tides and low water was about 18:00 so setting off at 16:00 was about right. A vehicle access was visible for a while and it was possible to follow the track of a vehicle that had just driven back from the island. It was easy going and the sand was quite firm. I’d expected to meet some areas where water would mean a short wade and wet feet but those I met were shallow and not too wide that I couldn’t hop across.

I followed the tracks easily to the island where I followed a ramp up to the few houses then on to the Ship Inn where a few people were sitting around. The ferry jetty was just to my left but it’s only for pedestrian passengers. I continued to Piel Castle which is very impressive and must have a massive undertaking when built as all the stone must have been brought in from the mainland. I could see were someone had been camping within the confines of the castle main walls but unfortunately they’d left a lot of rubbish behind which is unforgivable. It didn’t take long to walk round the island and I set off back across the sand to re-join the route I’d walked out by. I hadn’t noticed the wind when walking out but now I certainly did as is was straight into my face all the way back to the car. It took about 30mins to walk out to the island and 35mins to walk back.

the Ship Inn on Piel Island

how the castle would have looked in the 14th century

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