Islands of Furness

The Islands of Furness lie south-west and east of the Furness Peninsula. They form the third largest cluster of islands in England. Walney Island is the biggest of these, covering 12.99 square kilometres. Only Walney, Barrow, Roa and Piel Islands have permanent residents. About 15,000 people live on the islands, making up one fifth of the district’s population. Walney Island has the largest community with 10,651 people. Settlements include Biggar, North Scale, North Walney and Vickerstown. Barrow Island holds 2,616 residents, while Roa Island has around a hundred. Piel Island is home to about ten people. The smaller islets of Dova Haw and Headin Haw sit in Walney Channel. Chapel, Piel, Foulney and Sheep Islands can be reached on foot at low tide. Care is needed because fast tides and quicksands are dangerous. Local advice should be sought before walking to Piel and Chapel Islands. The islands lie between Anglesey in Wales and the Firth of Clyde in Scotland.