Piel Ferry

Visitors always want to know the following:

1. What time is the ferry? – The ferry runs back and forth continuously between Roa Island and Piel Island from Easter until October. We have no set times as there are so many variables to the journey, for example, due to the tide the piers may be short or longer, it may take people a while to get on and off, especially when camping, and we also drop people off on moored boats along the way sometimes. Our core hours are 11am to 3pm. We do operate outside these hours in high summer. The weather can be against us some days, so we can’t always sail. It is always worth double checking by telephoning, messaging or emailing or looking at our daily Facebook updates.
2. Are dogs allowed on the ferry? – Yes, well behaved dogs are allowed on the ferry and are the responsibility of the owners. The current in the channel that we pass over can be very strong, so please take extra care on the piers, shoreline and on the boat of your animal and yourself.
3. Cash or card? – we take both. It is always good to have cash as a back up as sometimes the signal on the card machine is awful.
4. Do we need to pre book? – No just turn up and hop on and pay the ferryman. Sometimes the ferry is there ready for you, sometimes it has already departed, and sometimes it is on its way back to you. Sometimes there is a queue. It is a chilled back place, so give yourself plenty of time to relax and enjoy both islands. Don’t fret if it isn’t there, as it will turn up soon (providing we are running!)
5. How long does the journey take? – It can take between 10 and 20 minutes usually. We cross a busy shipping channel, so we are mindful of other traffic. Sometimes we are pushing against the tide and sometimes we are helped by it.
6. Where do we park? There is a small car park on Roa Island and there is on street parking. Please be considerate to the homeowners on the island when parking, including when outside the terraced houses, particularly if you are leaving the vehicle and spending time on Piel overnight. Please also be mindful of the Lifeboat Station access and parking spaces.
7. Any other questions, we are always happy to help, just ask.

Piel Ferry is a 12 passenger foot ferry that runs daily, if the weather and tide permit, between Roa Island and Piel Island in South Cumbria. We also take people on short organised trips to see the seal colony and the birds at South Walney. Please access our booking platform at Seal Trip – Booking by Bookwhen to book trips. For up to date information regarding the service times and weather conditions call us on +447798794550 or email: pielferry@outlook.com

Seal/Bird watching trips

We run trips aboard our specialised boat , Nomad, out to the seal and bird colony at the South end of Walney Island. The grey seals haul out onto the shingle beach, and we respectfully pass them on our trips adhering to the marine and coastal wildlife code. Marine and coastal wildlife code – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Piel Island

Piel Island is owned by Barrow Borough Council, as it was given to the town in 1920 as memorial to those who lost their lives in the First World War.

Piel is approximately 50 acres in size, and can be accessed by the passenger ferry from Roa Island, or by using a guide to walk across the sand at low tide from South Walney.

There is a ruined 14th century castle which is looked after by English Heritage Piel Castle | English Heritage (english-heritage.org.uk) Entry is free and it is a great place for children and adults to let their imagination run free.

There is a pebble beach which offers views (binoculars needed) over to the seal colony on Walney, and beyond Walney to the huge windfarms in the Irish Sea. It is a great picnic spot, and fun to beachcomb the tideline.

There is a pub on the island called the Ship Inn. The landlord, Aaron Sanderson is known as the King of Piel. When ascending to the throne, there is a ritualistic ceremony, ‘the crowning’ involving lots of alcohol and merriment. Find out more about the pub here: Ship Inn, Piel Island

The views from the pub across Morecambe Bay are fantastic, Black Combe, Coniston Old Man, Dow Crag, Wetherlam, the Howgills, Ingleborough, Blackpool Tower are all visible at certain times.

People love to camp on Piel, the night sky is amazing as there is little man made light. A barn owl is often seen hunting on the island.

There are public toilets on Piel.