Chapel Island Traditional Geocache
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(regular)
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Chapel Island is a twenty minute walk at low tide from Canal Foot, Ulverston. Start about half an hour after low water (see link below)and you have 3-4 hours for the round trip. DON'T ATTEMPT TO WALK ACROSS THE SANDS BEFORE CHECKING THE WEATHER AND TIDE FORECASTS. Tidal information for Morcambe Bay can be found here - http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/ShowPrediction.aspx?PortID=0439A&PredictionLength=7
Chapel Island is a limestone outcrop that lies in the Leven estuary, less than one mile from the shore. The island is approximately 450 yards long and just over 100 yards at its widest with an area of about 7.5 acres. It is uninhabited although it is told a family lived on the island in the early part of the 19th century. The island lies on the oversands route between Ulverston and Lancaster. In the 14th century Cistercian monks from nearby Conishead Priory built a small chapel on the island to serve the needs of travellers and fishermen working in the Leven fisheries. Nothing remains of the original chapel but in the 1820s Colonel R.G. Braddyll built the modern-day Conishead Priory. To enhance the view from the priory he had a mock pseudo-classical ruin built on the island. This chapel ruin is now sometimes mistaken for the remains of the original. Prior to the building of the ruin the island was known as Harlside (or Harlesyde). The island can readily be accessed on foot at low tide from Ulverston, Cark of Flookborough. If approaching from Ulverston you must paddle through the Ulverston Channel (the outflow of Windermere and Lake Coniston). The depth of the channel depends on the recent weather but is generally no more than ankle / knee high. A couple of waypoints for the trip are provided as an illustration of a potential route. Be aware - note the OS map - "public rights of way across the sands are dangerous". The bay itself is noted for quick sands. Those wishing to visit Chapel Island should not attempt the crossing at any time other than low tide (visit link) That said the island receives regular visitors on foot, bike and horseback throughout the year and provides an hour or so of spledid adventure and magnificent views. Public access is permitted to the Island at all times, although obvious care should be taken during the bird breeding season (May-june) - dogs should be kept off the island during this period.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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