Piel Castle LA13 0QN
Entry: Free for everyone
Open: seasonal - check website
Dogs: on leads
Reviews: 0

About:
In 1327 John Cockerham, Abbot of Furness, was granted a ‘licence to crenellate’ by Edward III, suggesting that he may have been fortifying an existing building.
At this time much of northern England was troubled by Scottish raids, and the monks of Furness wished to establish a place of safety.
They probably also wanted to monitor traffic passing through Piel Harbour on its way to their holdings in Ireland and the Isle of Man, and to protect cargoes from the weather, raiders and pirates.

Quarrels over trade (and charges of smuggling) meant that the monks were not always on the best of terms with the king.
On 4 June 1487 Lambert Simnel landed on Piel Island from Ireland, with an 8,000-strong army of mercenaries.
The son of an Oxford tradesman, he claimed to be the Earl of Warwick and thus rightful heir to the English throne.
He marched on London, but was defeated and captured at Newark by Henry VII and his forces.

Parking:
None on site

Facilities:
None on site.
There is an inn on the island, not managed by English Heritage. There are toilets and a shop at Furness Abbey. There's a café (not managed by English Heritage) close to the abbey and a wide range of facilities in Barrow-in-Furness.

Notes:
Piel Island can be accessed from Roa Island by a small ferry operated during the summer season. The ferry is not managed by English Heritage. Please call Steve Chattaway (Ship Inn) on 07516453784 or Alan Cleasby on 07798794550.

Contact:
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk
Tel: 0370 3331181