Heritage guide says under-threat Piel Castle is 'integral'

John Murphy said the south-eastern keep of the castle is now only a foot away from the sea.

If the keep goes he fears that it will eventually mean that the rest of the castle will go as well, even though it is not under direct threat from erosion, because it would impact the structure's integrity. 

Piel Castle is among a list of places under growing threat, according to a report by Aggregate Industries. The Cumbrian site was named along with Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, Bayard's Cove Fort in Devon, Garrison Walls on The Isles of Scilly and Hurst Castle and Calshot Castle in Hampshire. 

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The report stated that the combined total cost of repairs and sea defence to save the castles would amount to more than £275,000. 

Over the years there have been intermittent attempts to restore the castle and prevent further sea erosion. The Duke of Buccleuch restored the castle in the 1870s, and outworks were erected to protect Piel from further damage before transferring it into the care of English Heritage in 1973. 

English Heritage launched a fundraising campaign to protect and strengthen the site in 2022. 

Chris Packham with John Murphy and stepdaughter Megan McCubbin crossing the sands to the island (Image: BBC)

Many visitors travel to the island in the summer months to see the castle and its solitary pub - The Ship Inn. 

Mr Murphy, who has given visitors heritage tours for decades, said: "The castle is an integral part of the town. I see the castle every morning from my front door and I am still amazed looking at it. It's so important historically.

"I'm not saying it's going to happen tomorrow. If nothing is done now it will happen in the future and we cannot afford to lose that important part of history - to not preserve it.

"For me it's up there with the Tower of London - it's that important to our area." 

Mr Murphy will take a group around the castle on Whit Sunday (19 May) once they have walked across the bay with John Irving, from the Dock Museum, and will show them the potential threat of coastal erosion as part of his tour.