“Walney Island Camping and an Audience with the King” by Ian Bibby

This trip, organised by Keith, was to allow us to experience camping out of our kayaks.

Including Keith, four of us decided to give it a go. The party consisted of Keith, Rachael, Andy and myself. Due to the changeable weather conditions leading up to the event, a number of alternative options were in the mix. The final call was made when we met up at the Roundhouse cafe on Walney Island.

Based on the weather predictions, especially the wind. We opted for Plan A or was it B or C! We decided to launch off the slipway at the Jubilee Bridge. Head South down the Walney channel to Piel Island, where we would camp for the night. Returning the following day.

Kayaks were unloaded from the cars and packed with tents, sleeping bags, food etc.

Surprisingly, more quickly than anticipated.

Aah…….The benefits of YouTube and making endless lists!

All on the water, we took a short detour North, before heading South down the Walney channel. On route, we went past the large BAE Systems works and berths for the wind farm service vessels.

We continued to paddle towards Roa Island and noticed that the inshore lifeboat had been launched, and headed out into Morecambe Bay.

On reaching the lifeboat station, we then headed across to Piel Island.

Once at the island’s slipway, kayaks were moved up, unpacked and camp set up. After suitable sustenance, we went for a walk around the castle ruins.

Now owned by English Heritage, the island’s history dates back to Viking times, though the main castle started to appear from the 1400s onwards. At one stage, Cistercian monks were there. Hopefully, not the same ones at Caldey Island! ( ref – Pembrokeshire weekend 2025).

The island also has the unique attribute of having a ‘king’. 

We had the privilege of an ‘audience’ with the ‘King’, who happens to be the landlord of the Ship Inn.

Suitably refreshed, we headed back to our tents, which were pitched out of the worst of the wind.

The following morning, we broke camp and took advantage of the flooding tide. The additional water allowed us to paddle up the west side of Piel Island.

The wind was blowing a fairly constant F4 from the NW, which resulted in ‘heads down’ paddle with a bit of wind against tide.