Piel Island lies half a mile (1 km) off the southern tip of the Furness Peninsula in the administrative county of Cumbria, though historically within Lancashire north of the sands. It is located at 54°4′N 3°10′W / 54.067°N 3.167°W / 54.067; -3.167Coordinates: 54°4′N 3°10′W / 54.067°N 3.167°W / 54.067; -3.167 (OS grid ref. SD 233637). It is one of the Islands of Furness in Northern England. It is the location of the English Heritage-owned Piel Castle.
The island is owned by the people of Barrow-in-Furness, the mainland town across the Piel Channel within its administrative boundaries the island is located. It was gifted to the people of Barrow-in-Furness by the Duke of Buccleuch in the early 20th century. The Borough Council's administrative duties also include the selection of the "King" of Piel, who is the landlord of the island's public house, the Ship Inn. The area of Piel is about 50 acres (20 ha). As well as the landlord and his family the island has two other permanent residents who live in the old Pilots Cottages.
Read more about Piel Island: History, A Customs Creek, Modern Day Piel Island, The Ship Inn
Famous quotes containing the word island:
“The shifting islands! who would not be willing that his house should be undermined by such a foe! The inhabitant of an island can tell what currents formed the land which he cultivates; and his earth is still being created or destroyed. There before his door, perchance, still empties the stream which brought down the material of his farm ages before, and is still bringing it down or washing it away,—the graceful, gentle robber!”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)