Cross-Bay Walk to Chapel Island:
We have enjoyed a lovely walk out onto Morecambe Bay today to visit Chapel Island.
Chapel Island looks mysterious sitting off the coast of Ulverston in the Levens Estuary.
The Island is a short distance from the shore and separated by the River Leven.
Great care must be taken when planning a visit. Check the tide times before venturing out onto the sands.
When you reach the Island you can see the ruins of an ancient chapel built by Cistercian monks from nearby Conishead Priory around the 14th century.
The island is currently uninhabited but there has been fishermen’s cottage there at one time.
From the archives, the census for 1851 and 1861 shows people actually living there.
The purpose of the chapel was to provide shelter for travellers and fishermen trying to negotiate the treacherous sands.
However, as always on the bay, there is a permanent danger from strong currents and quicksands.
The Island lies on the path of the ancient crossing from Cartmel to Conishead.
The ancient sign below directs walkers over the sands
It would have been a place of haven for travellers caught out by the tide.
