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Barrow in Furness Accommodation
Furness Abbey near Barrow-in-Furness. A spiritual place
Furness Abbey Remains
Furness Abbey RemainsBarrow in Furness Tourist Information. Abbeys and Cistercian Monks
Travel way back in time, 1123 to be exact, and visit the remains of the second largest Cistercian monastery in England, Furness Abbey. The 700 year old ruins, once home to a thriving monastic community, are remarkably intact with detailed carvings in distinct red sandstone still clearly visible. Furness Abbey also has a comprehensive exhibition space near the Abbey, exploring life past here and just how much power this religious community actually wielded on the local community.
Furness Abbey is open all year round, from 1 Apr-30 Sept daily 10am-6pm. 1-31 Oct 2003 daily 10am-5pm, 1 Nov - 31 Mar Wed-sun 10am-4pm. Closed 1-2pm in winter. Admission Adults £3.00, concs. £2.30, Children £1.50, under 5's go free.
Barrow in Furness Monk Land - Furness Abbey & Piel Castle on Piel Island
Of Nightshade, to St. Mary's honour built, Stands yet a moldering pile with fractured arch. Hey up, Mr Wordsworth's off again. He loved it here at Furness, and at Piel Castle, I saw thee every day; and all the while, Thy form was sleeping on a glassy sea. Guaranteed to get you 'waxing lyrical', both Furness Abbey, and check out perched Piel Castle set on it's own island!! Truly sublime.
Furness Abbey is just one spiritual site on a trail following the aptly named Cistercian Way. Move on to hypnotic Piel Castle, perched on it's own island, just _ a mile from another island, Roa, so you'll need to hop onto a small boat to get to it. The castle itself is 14th century, and has a remarkably large keep and inner and outer baileys, and curtain walls and towers are largely intact. There's a pub over there as well, The Ship Inn, and camping facilities are available through 'the king of Piel', aka the pub landlord and family, currently the Scarrs.
They're kept pretty busy maintaining the 20 acre island, as well as running the public house. Ferry's fun every weekend from Roa Island in the Summer, starting at about 11am, with the last one at about 5.30pm. This little island is a real wildlife haven, and popular bird watching destination. Seals have also been spotted off-shore. There's also a marsh pond, maintained by the king!, in the centre of the island. Best not miss the boat, apparently out of hours trips can be arranged through ferry man John Cleasby, telephone 0779 9761306. Check with Barrow TIC for full details.
Furness Abbey, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, T: (01229) 823420
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