Join us on this FREE family / dog friendly community event as we explore Piel Island, Barrow on Sunday 8th June 2025.
‘How Perfect was the Calm!’ (William Wordsworth on Piel Island).
Join us for a rare and exciting opportunity to take part in an unforgettable guided walk across the sands from Walney Island to the hidden gem of Piel Island ( Chris Packham’s favourite place in the UK !).
This event is FREE and part of the Lancaster University, Wordsworth Grasmere and Trek Therapy project called 'Walking for Wellbeing: Accelerating Cultural, Creative and Environmental Enrichment in Morecambe Bay'.
This family / dog friendly event will include a walk across the sands from Walney Island to Piel Island, which is approximately 1.5 miles and takes 45 minutes. We use the same route and duration for our return walk back to Walney Island.
There is food and refreshements made available at the Ship Inn, and a guided tour of Piel Castle. Our expert guides will be John Irving of the Dock Museum, Barrow, and local legend John Murphy, who started leading the Piel Island walks some forty years ago.
The event will provide opportunities to see a wide variety of wildlife, experience one of the most beautiful spots in the UK, and learn why this area was so important for the poet William Wordsworth.
The event is structured into two parts with the first involving a visit to the Dock Museum in Barrow commecing at 10:00am and is optional and the second main part of the event which is our walk and tour of Piel Island. The walk will start promptly at 13.30pm from Snab Point, Walney.
What to expect:
-An introduction to the area and its inspirational effect on writers and painters, past & present.
-A guided walk across varied terrain, including sand, shingle, rock and salt marsh.
-A reasonably paced, family-friendly trek, lasting approximately 45 minutes each way.
-A chance to refresh at the iconic Ship Inn before the return journey.
-A guided tour of the island and castle.
-Spectacular views and a wealth of historical, ecological and literary insights.
-Meet the King of Piel Island.
Timetable and logistics:
10.00 - 13.00 (Optional) Introductory event: The Poetry and Culture of Piel Island
Dock Museum, Barrow: Home | W&F microsites
This optional introductory session will provide an insight into the area and its inspirational power over the past 250 years. It will involve a private tour of the Museum and a series of short talks and poetry readings on the subject of the sands, Piel Island and Piel Castle. The session is also open to those not wishing to undertake the walk.
There is a large playground outside the museum for families with children.
Car parking is free at the Dock Museum and there is no time limit for parking for those attending the event, so cars can be left all day if you choose to car share to the walk departure point.
10:00 - Museum and Café open.
10:00 - 11:00 - Coffee, tea, soft drinks & snacks available free to all attendees in the cafe.
10:30 - 11:00 – Private tour of Dock Museum.
11:00 -12:00 – Introductory talks on the inspirational power of Piel Island, Piel Castle, and the area over the last 250 years, with a particular focus on William Wordsworth and modern responses.
12:00 Lunch – Food can be pre-ordered and is free for all attending either the walk or the introductory session: [Menu to be supplied prior to event].
Please make use of Museum toilets (toilets are available on Piel Island but not at the walk start point).
13:00 – Depart for walk start point via car / car share. It is a 10-minute drive from Dock Museum to Snab Point Walney Island. Free parking.
13:30 – 17:00 Walk from Walney Island to Piel Island and Piel Castle
13:30 Walk Start Point, Snab Point Walney (GR SD 209 639). Mawflat Lane, LA14 3YQ, England, United Kingdom. snab point walney - Bing Maps
Meeting Point: Snab Point, Walney Island – just off Mawflat Lane, near South End Caravan Park.
-Please arrive at Snab Point by 13:30.
-What3words grid location ///club.destiny.chess
-Free Parking is available at Snab Point and marshals will direct you to a parking space on arrival. We recommend car sharing if possible.
-There are no toilets at Snab Point. We would advise using those at the Dock Museum which is directly en route and you will pass it 10 minutes before arriving at Snab Point. (There are toilets on Piel Island).
13:30 – Registration open at Snab Point, Walney.
13:45 – Introduction and Safety Briefing. Snab Point.
The first part of the walk (300m) is very slippery so please wear appropriate footwear. Following this, the sands will be wet and we will be walking through some low gullies.
Footwear : Old, comfortable trainers or walking shoes recommended (they will get wet and salty!). Wellies and heavy boots are discouraged.
Clothing : Please dress appropriately for the weather. Wear layers and bring a change of clothes for when you return to your car. Expect to get muddy.
Essentials : Sunscreen, a hat, water, snacks, and a towel.
Facilities : Toilets are available on Piel Island. There are no facilities along the walking route.
Children : Participants under 18 to be supervised at all times by a parent and/or carer.
Dogs : Dogs are welcome but MUST BE KEPT on the lead and are the sole responsibility on their owners.
Please follow all directions given to you by our Marshal’s who will be introduced to you at the briefing. This is for your safety.
At least one Marshal will be first aid trained along with Trek Therapy leaders.
Please bring your own water. Once on the island, the pub is open for refreshments and the King is expecting you.
Piel Island Walks have public liability insurance.
Please feel free to tag #Pielislandwalks on Facebook/instagram/Twitter with the fabulous photographs you will be taking. #Pielislandwalks
Please tell a Marshal if you do NOT want to be photographed or filmed.
Leave nothing on the sands except your footprints.
Piel Island Walks state as follows: ‘The one thing we cannot control is the great British weather. The walk will be cancelled if we believe it is not safe and we do not apologise for this. We will try to contact you if it is cancelled before hand.’
14:45 Arrive Piel Island.
Food and drink at The Ship Inn , Piel Island Ship Inn, Piel Island Please preorder food, free for all participating in the walk. Menu | Piel Island
15:30 (approx.) Guided tour of Piel Island and Castle.
16:15 Start Return Walk.
17:00 Arrive back at car parking, Snab Point Walney, debrief and depart.
Trek Therapy are offering this professionally faciliated wellbeing walk as part of our wellbeing walks 'Selfcare Sunday' programme made possible through support from the National Lottery Community Fund, Lancaster University and Wordsworth Grasmere.
This activity will be promoting social interaction, the physical and emotional wellbeing benefits of walking in the outdoors and a therapeutic value of nature connection to anyone who would like to participate.
The meeting point for this event will be at 10:00am at The Dock Museum, North Road, Barrow-In-Furness LA14 2PW where Trek Therapy leaders will be waiting to greet you. If joining for the walk to Piel Island only then meet at Snab Point Walney Island no later than 13.30pm.
Please plan your travel arrangements in advance to avoid any issues.
Participants will need to ensure they have a daysack that includes the following:
-Appropriate footwear and a set of waterproofs (trousers and jacket).
-A warm layer or fleece.
-Plenty of food, water and snacks for the day.
-Sunscreen / sunglasses as required.
-A hat and pair of gloves.
-Personal medication.
-Packed lunch and water.
Please note places are limited to 80 participants.
Trek Therapy reserve the right to refuse individuals joining the activity if they do not have the appropriate equipment listed above.
For more advice and information about what kit to bring or to learn more about Trek Therapy visit our website: Trek Therapy
Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Barrow-in-Furness, Arts events in Barrow-in-Furness, Literary Art events in Barrow-in-Furness.
