Looking to be a landowner? Or perhaps, royalty? How about both, for a whole island?
The Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council has opened applications for the next landlord of Piel Island. On April 2022, the winning applicant will be given a 10-year lease to this 50 acres of land—with wildlife, a fortress and an historic pub—half a mile off of northwest England.
As part of the deal, the landlord, also crowned as 'King of Piel', will run The Ship Inn pub and maintain parts of the island. According to the tradition of the king and knights of Piel, each new landlord is crowned “King of Piel” in a ceremony (of uncertain origin), where they sit in an ancient chair wearing a helmet and holding a sword while someone pours alcohol over their head.
If you fancy a visit instead, a ferry runs from Roa Island between April and September. Its interesting history from centuries past, as well as its local environment, is worth a trip!