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Visiting Piel Castle
Piel Castle still stands its vigil on Piel Island overlooking the deep water harbour outside Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. Visitors may freely access the 14th-century monument where some impressive ruins stand, including a stone keep and remains of the mighty curtain walls.
Parking
Visitors may access Piel Island and the castle ruins via a small ferry that departs from Roa Island. There’s a small parking lot near the ferry near the Roa Island Boat Club. No private vehicles may access the island as it’s prohibited.
Price
Access to the Piel Castle ruins is free to the public, although English Heritage may restrict full interior access due to public safety.
Opening
Piel Castle ruins are free to visit during reasonable daylight hours.
Location and Access
Piel Island, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA13 0QN
Visitors may access Piel Castle ruins via a small 12-man ferry (managed independently of English Heritage) that operates in the high season from April to September. The ferry makes repeated trips to and from the island from Monday to Saturday 11 am-4,30PM when the weather permits. The price is £5.00 return for adults, £3.00 return per child, and under 5's are free.
Visitors may access the island by crossing from Snab Point on Walney island during low tide but must be accompanied by someone who knows the route well. The crossing is extremely dangerous due to deep channels and soft sands.
According to English Heritage, visitors may access the interior of the castle ruins via a gatehouse in the western wall. There are certain areas that visitors report blocked due to safety reasons.
Know Before You Go
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- Visitors may bring their dogs provided they keep them on a leash due to the abundant birdlife on the island.
- Residents of the island ask that visitors park responsibly and ensure access for local residents.
- Local laws prohibit access to the island from the route between Snab point and Piel Island.
- There’s an inn on the island and public toilet access, and a shop on Furness Abbey.
- The ferry will not operate in high winds as the approach area may be dangerous to Piel Island.
- Please visit the English Heritage website for more information about how to ensure the ferry is operational.
Places To Stay Nearby
Holiday Inn Express Barrow-in-Furness
Situated in the heart of Barrow, this hotel allows access to many beautiful natural sites such as the Lakelands, and a 20-minute drive to England's most beautiful scenery, including England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike and Windermere. The well priced on-suite rooms offer wifi, TV and complimentary breakfasts. Prices range from $152 for a standard room to $164 for family rooms.
The Duke of Edinburgh Barrow in Furness
Located in a restored Victorian building, the Duke of Edinburgh boasts excellent cuisine and stylish decor. From standard to luxury suites to executive rooms with conference facilities, the hotel caters for all needs. On the edge of the lake district, the hotel combines leisure and business in well-priced rooms, ranging from $124 standard doubles to $186 per night for family rooms.
Premier Inn Barrow and Furness
ILocated next door to the Dock Museum in Barrow, this 3-star hotel offers competitively priced accommodation in Barrow in Furness. It has an in-house bar and offers en suite rooms with wifi just a minute or two from a selection of shops and restaurants. The central location is close to the railway station, and twin rooms start at around $135 per night.
History of Piel Castle
Piel Castle has a colourful history with strong links to Furness Abbey and its crucial location at a deep water harbour. The ruins are of a Mid 13th-century masonry castle, but historians speculate about an earlier fortification on site. Originally, the castle housed the Abbot of Furness.
Time Line
-1127
King Stephen granted Piel Island to the Savignac monks who became absorbed into the Cistercian denomination in 1148.
-1135-54
Historians believe that an earlier fortified structure occupied the castle site during the reign of King Stephen.
-1316-1322
Increasing unrest in the area due to Scottish raids in the territory necessitates protection for the Abbey. Sources suggest that Robert the Bruce besieged the castle in 1316,1317, and 1322.
-1327 (Royal License To Fortify)
Edward III grants the Abbot of Furness a license to crenellate or fortify the castle site to oversee the trade in the harbour, which points to the existence of a previous dwelling.
-1408
King Henry VII prevents John Bolton, the Abbot of Furness, from destroying the castle defences due to high maintenance costs.
-1429
The Piel Castle underwent extensive rebuilding. Historical records suggest the castle's involvement in extensive smuggling operations, particularly wool, which French authorities strictly regulated.
-1487 (Royal Coup)
Lambert Simnel, a son of an Oxford craftsman, staged an unsuccessful coup on the Crown of King Henry VII. Claiming to be a rightful descendent of the throne, he led a band of 8,000 supporters into London and was roundly defeated in the Battle of Stoke Field.
-1534 (Dissolution)
King Henry VIII separated the Church of England from the Catholic Church and declared himself supreme head of the church. As Furness Abbey was one of the wealthiest in the country, the King dissolved the monastery and plundered its riches. All its property, including Piel Castle, became the property of the Crown.
-1660 (Neglect)
The Crown granted Piel castle to the Duke of Albemarle, although the castle was in a poor state due to neglect already.
-Late 18th Century
Piel Island was used as a base for maritime pilots and then passed to the Dukes of Buccleuch.
-19th Century (Restored)
In rebuilding and restoring the castle, Walter Scott, Duke of Buccleuch, destroyed many traces of the original medieval occupation.
-1919 (Granted to Community)
John Scotts decided to sell the island and castle, but Alfred Barrow intervened, and Scott granted the Piel castle to the local authorities as a World War I memorial.
-1973
The central government took control of Piel Castle, and subsequently, English Heritage assumed custodianship. The castle is now a grade I listed building and protected by law.
Piel Castle Occupants
- John Cockerham, the Abbot of Furness Abbey, built and occupied the Piel Castle.
- John Bolton, the Abbot of Furness, occupied the castle and decided to destroy the castle defences due to the high cost of its upkeep; Henry VII prevented his actions.
- Lambert Simnel, imposter to the Crown, occupied the castle and held court for his band of dissenters.
- Walter Scott, Duke of Buccleuch, extensively rebuilds the castle and destroys much of the earlier medieval construction.
Images of Piel Castle
Images Supplied and licensed from Shutterstock Standard Licence Package
Piel Castle Facts
A satirical tradition plays out on Piel Island that refers to the usurper Simnel and his bogus claim to the royal throne. The keeper of the Ship Inn is crowned King of Piel. The crowning involves donning a helmet on a special 'throne and poured over the head with alcohol.
In 1811 William Wordsworth, the famous poet immortalised the Piel Castle in his poem "Peele Castle" after visiting the castle site.
Visitors may become designated 'Knights of Piel If they occupy a special throne in the Piel Island Inn. However, this title comes at the cost of a drink for every person in the pub.
The sea has redone the original castle ruins, and one side of the keep collapsed in the early 19th century.
Piel Castle Q&A
How Big is Piel Castle?
The three-story keep stands on a mound of clay and reaches 45 feet (14m) high and 74 feet (23m) wide. The original entrance was ground level, and a later built gatehouse was 25 feet (7.6m) by 16 feet (4.9m,) which raised this level to the first floor.
The outer bailey wall stood 8 foot (2,4m) thick in certain sections and was protected by a 43-foot wide moat (13m) which was 9,8 foot deep (3m.) The inner bailey was likewise surrounded by a 25-foot wide moat (7,6m.)
How Old Is Piel Castle?
Evidence suggests that a previous fortification occupied the site of Piel Castle. But due to the wood and earth construction of the time, they can not definitively prove this fact. Some sources suggest that the strategic site had been host to occupants for almost 3000 years. Piel Castle is proudly 694 this year in 2021 and built in 1327 by the then Abbot of Furness.
Location of Piel Castle
Although historians speculate that the Piel Castle occupied the site of an earlier earth and timber fortification, the nature of the building materials makes it hard to prove. The original castle stood overlooking the deepwater port of Piel Harbour in Barrow-in Furness, a once-thriving medieval centre of trade.
From the original location, subsequent occupants extended the castle and added additional buildings in its history. The Duke of Buccleuch renovated the castle extensively in the mid-1800s, including sea defences that halted the erosion of the south and eastern sides of the castle.
Other Places To Visit Near Piel Castle
Furness Abbey
Furness Abbey is a former Catholic Monastery that dates back to 1123. Once one of the wealthiest monasteries in England, it suffered under King Henry VIII dissolution of monasteries in the English reformation. The impressive remains include east and west church towers and an ornately decorated chapter house and cloister buildings.
Warton Old Rectory
These haunting 14th-century ruins have a rare surviving stone house with a great hall and chambers. Once a residence of the powerful rectors of Warton, the rectory functioned as a wealthy residence and manor where they held court. The ruins are in good condition, with gables standing almost to their original height and are free to visit in reasonable daylight hours.
South Walney Nature Reserve
South Walney Nature Reserve offers spectacular views across Morecambe Bay and is home to the only grey seal colony in Cumbria. The reserve also offers excellent bird watching with one of the largest gull colonies in Europe. They have several wintering waders and wildfowl as well as beautiful coastal flora for visitors to enjoy.