Furness Abbey, Barrow-in-Furness (5¼ miles from Roa Island) – the majestic ruins of an abbey founded in 1123 by Stephen, Count of Blois (later to become King Stephen). Walney Island (1½ miles at low tide) – ‘wet and windy Walney’ has 2 large nature reserves and is home to the largest colony of lesser black-backed and herring gulls in Europe. The Dock Museum, Barrow (6 miles from Roa Island) – an innovative museum of local life inside a former dry dock; 01229 876400.