Welcome to Piel Castle, also known as the Pile of Fouldray, on Piel Island!
Access
Piel Island can be accessed from Roa Island (Waypoint T0) by a small ferry operated between Easter and October, weather dependant. The ferry can be subject to short notice cancellations based on the tides and the weather. Please check their website before you travel.
If you know what you are doing or have arranged a guide, there is a tidal route to the island which is only available close to low tide. This is marked by Waypoint T1. I have not used this route and cannot recommend it. You are responsible for your own safety. You must check the tide times before using this route. In my opinion it would be better to avoid this option.
Piel Island and Piel Castle
Piel Castle, also known as the Pile of Fouldray, is a castle situated on Piel Island, off the coast of the Furness Peninsula. Built in the early 14th century it was intended to oversee the trade through the local harbour and to protect against Scottish raids. The castle featured a large keep with surrounding inner and outer baileys. It was used as a base by the Yorkist pretender to the throne, Lambert Simnel, in 1487. By 1534 it had fallen into ruin and passed into the hands of the Crown.
Sea erosion began to cause significant damage to the castle in the early 19th century. In the 1870s the castle's owner carried out extensive restoration work and erected outworks to protect it against further damage from the sea. In 1920 the castle was given to the town of Barrow-in-Furness and is now in the care of English Heritage. The castle is at threat from continued coastal erosion exacerbated by climate change.
Biological Weathering
Stone can become biologically stained when organisms such as algae, lichen and bacteria begin to grow on, and in the stone. Lichens and mosses grow on essentially bare rock surfaces.
The attachment of these organisms to the rock surface enhances physical as well as chemical breakdown of the surface microlayer of the rock. On a larger scale, seedlings sprouting in a crevice and plant roots exert physical pressure as well as providing a pathway for water infiltration.
Chemical Weathering
A process called chemical weathering may cause the color of rocks to change. For example, rocks containing iron impurities tend to rust when they come into contact with oxygen or water. When they begin to rust, they turn reddish-brown. Copper impurities can cause the rocks to turn green, because copper oxide is this colour (think of the Statue of Liberty).
Ripples
Ripple marks are sedimentary features, and indicate agitation by water or wind. There are different types of ripples. Asymmetrical ripples are caused by the one-way flow of a river. They are distinguished by uneven dips, which are steeper on the up-stream side and shallower on the downstream side. They can be straight, sinuous (curved) or linguoid (random). Symmetrical ripples are caused by waves. Because the flow of the wave goes in both directions, the agitation happens equally on both sides. The dips are therefore even. Wind ripples are caused by the wind. Like asymmetrical ripples they are caused by a one-way flow, this time the wind, which usually leaves smaller ripples.
Logging your Find
In order to log your find, please provide answer to the below questions. The answers can be found by visiting the location, reading the above description, and taking observations in the field.
- Go to N54 03.743 W003 10.403 (Virtual stage 01). Look at the castle corner.
- Many of the stones used in the corner are red sandstone. Why are the stones red?
- Describe and name the weathering that has occurred on the stones in this corner.
- Describe the ripples present in some of the stones.
- Name the English city carved into one of the stones.
- Go to N54 03.722 W003 10.433 (Virtual stage 02). Look at the beach.
- Do you think the rocks found on this beach were used to build the castle?
- If so, which parts of the castle were built with this stone (main construction or window edging/corners)?
As Piel Island is a stunning part of the world, you may optionally want to upload photos of your visit, of course I would love to see them! I will respond to your message as soon as I can.
Access Reminder
Piel Island can be accessed from Roa Island (Waypoint T0) by a small ferry operated between Easter and October, weather dependant. The ferry can be subject to short notice cancellations based on the tides and the weather. Please check their website before you travel.
If you know what you are doing or have arranged a guide, there is a tidal route to the island which is only available close to low tide. This is marked by Waypoint T1. I have not used this route and cannot recommend it. You are responsible for your own safety. You must check the tide times before using this route. In my opinion it would be better to avoid this option.