Islands of Furness

The Islands of Furness are situated to the south-west and east of the Furness Peninsula. Within England, they are the third biggest collection of islands. They are generally quite small, though at 12.99 km2 Walney Island is the 8th biggest in England. Of these, only Walney Island, Barrow Island, Roa Island and Piel Island are inhabited. Their combined population is around 15,000, which is about 20% of the Borough of Barrow-in-Furness. They are the largest group of islands between Anglesey in Wales and the Firth of Clyde in Scotland.

The main islands are:

• Walney Island - Population 13,000 (Settlements include Biggar, North Scale, North Walney and Vickerstown)
• Barrow Island - Population 2,606 (One of the 13 wards forming Barrow-in-Furness)
• Sheep Island - Population 0
• Roa Island - Population ~100
• Piel Island - Population ~10
• Foulney Island - Population 0
• Chapel Island - Population 0

As well as these, the small islets of Dova Haw, also known as Crab Island and Headin Haw sit in Walney Channel, whilst the old Ramsey Island is now, like Barrow Island, part of the docks system.