Skip To Main Content

  • Accommodation
    • Don't Miss
      • Sustainable Stays
      • Dog Friendly Accommodation
      • Family Accommodation
      • Accommodation with a Swimming Pool
      • Accommodation with Gyms
      • Accommodation with Hot Tubs
      • Group Accommodation
      • Luxury Accommodation
      • Something a Bit Different
      • Spa Breaks
    • Accessible Accommodation
    • B&Bs & Guesthouses
    • Hotels
    • Lake District Cottages
    • Self Catering Accommodation
    • Camping, Glamping, Caravans and Lodges
    • Holiday Parks
    • Hostels
    • Pubs with Rooms
    • Restaurants with Rooms
    • Holiday Homes for Sale
    • Cottage Agencies
  • What's On
    • Challenge Events
      • 13 Valleys
      • Great North Swim
      • Tour of Britain
      • Windermere Marathon
      • Cross-Bay Walks
      • Traditional Sports
      • Gurning Festival (Egremont Crab Fair)
      • World’s Biggest Liar
    • Cultural Events
      • Winter Droving
    • Festivals
      • Cockermouth Live!
      • Cumbria Dark Skies Festival
      • Fells for All Festival
      • Marmalade Festival at Dalemain
      • Lake District Music Summer Festival
    • Food Events
    • Galleries & Exhibitions
    • Markets
    • Add your event
  • Things to Do
    • Bookable Experiences
    • 50 Great Cumbrian Experiences
    • Lake District Attractions
    • Adventure Activities
      • Adventure on the Water
      • Adventure Training
      • Extreme & Off Road
      • Rocks & Ropes
    • Arts and Culture
      • Let's Go Culture
      • Famous Artists, Poets & Writers
      • Festivals
      • Galleries & Exhibitions
      • Independent Cinema
      • Museums
      • Theatre & Live Performance
    • Experiences
      • Aerial Experiences
      • Animal Experiences
      • Bushcraft Experiences
      • Craft Demonstrations & Workshops
      • Food & Drink Experiences
      • Gift Experiences
    • Guided Tours
      • Coach & Minibus Tours
      • Guided Cycling
      • Guided Walks
      • Nature & Wildlife Tours
    • Health & Wellbeing
      • Forest Bathing
      • Gym & Swim
      • Massage
      • Wild Swimming
      • Yoga
    • History and Heritage
      • Cumbrian Castles
      • Cumbrian Churches
      • Historic Houses, Parks & Gardens
      • King Arthur in Cumbria
    • Outdoor Activities
      • In the Air
      • On the Land
      • On the Water
      • Cycling
      • Walking
      • Boat Hire
      • Golf
      • Horse Riding & Pony Trekking
      • Lake Cruises & Boat Trips
      • Sporting Activities
      • Hen & Stag Activities
      • Team Building activities
      • Free Wainwright Podcasts
    • Shopping
      • Virtual Christmas Market
      • Cumbrian High Street Shopping
      • Local Produce
      • Markets in the Lake District, Cumbria
      • Shop Online
    • Accessible Activities
    • Family Days Out
    • Wildlife & Nature
    • Safety/Adventure Smart
  • Food and Drink
    • Dog Friendly Places to Eat
    • Family-friendly places to eat
    • Afternoon Tea
    • Breweries & Distilleries
    • Cafés
    • Fine dining
    • Foraging & Bushcraft
    • Local Produce
    • Pub Food & Gastro Pubs
    • Restaurants
    • Vegetarian & Vegan
    • Food & Drink in Cumberland
  • Explore Cumbria
    • Areas of Cumbria
      • The Lake District
      • Carlisle & Hadrian’s Wall
      • Eden Valley & North Pennines
      • Morecambe Bay
      • Western Lake District & Coast
      • Where The Lakes Meets The Dales
    • Towns & Villages
    • Lakes of the Lake District
    • Travel
      • Let's Go Car Free
      • Getting To Cumbria
      • Getting Around Cumbria
      • Car Parking and Car Charging
      • Group Travel
    • Year of the Coast
    • World Heritage Cumbria
    • Mountains & Fells
    • Harbours & Marinas
  • Ideas and Inspiration
    • Starring Great Britain: The Lake District, Cumbria
      • timeline
      • Gallery of Locations
    • Lake District, Cumbria Bucket List
    • Selfie Guide
    • Dark Sky Cumbria
    • Suggested Itineraries
    • Sunny day ideas
    • Rainy day ideas
    • The National Trust in the Lake District
    • Spa Breaks
    • Romantic Breaks
    • Family Holidays
    • Dog Friendly Holidays
    • Bespoke Holidays
    • The Inn Collection Group in the Lake District
    • Sustainable Stays
    • Caring for the environment
      • Lake District Foundation
      • Safety/Adventure Smart
  • Plan Your Visit
    • Access for all - Adventure for Everyone
      • Accessibility on film
      • Adventure for all - Ideas and Inspiration
    • Tourist Information Centres
  • Weddings
    • Wedding Venues
      • Exclusive Use Venues
      • Venues with Accommodation
    • Wedding Suppliers
    • Wedding Fairs & Events
    • Stag & Hen Parties
    • Honeymoon & Minimoon
    • Transport
    • Spa Treatments
  • Conferences & Event Spaces
    • Conference Venues with Rooms
    • Attraction Venues & Meeting Spaces
    • Functions, Banquets and Corporate Event Venues
    • Team Building
    • Event Organisers, Catering & Suppliers
  • Prizes & Guides
    • Subscribe to our Newsletter
    • Free Holiday Guide Downloads
    • Gift Vouchers
    • Download Free Desktop Wallpaper
    • Download Free Wainwright Podcasts
    • Prize Draws
      • Win an Active Adventure Break to Windermere
      • Win 2 tickets for an evening buffet cruise
      • Win two Pure Lakes Candle or Soap Making Experienc
      • WIN a £250 Holiday Voucher for Woodclose Park
      • Win a £500 holiday voucher
      • Win a break in the Lake District, Cumbria
      • Win a stay at North Lakes Hotel & Spa
    • 2025 Dogs Love Cumbria Guide Photo Competition
  • Let's Go Lake District Blog
  • Special Offers

Don't Miss

  • Summer | Description

    Summer in the Lake District, Cumbria

  • Sign up to receive our newsletter containing news and special offers from the Lake District, Cumbria.

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

  • Site Logo
  • Print Logo
Site Search Icon

My Planner

To build your own Itinerary, click Add to Excursion to add an item to your Itinerary basket.

Already saved an Itinerary?

List All My Saved Itineraries

Language
  • DE
  • EN
Menu

You are here: Home > Explore Cumbria > Shap

Shap

Shap

Type:Village

Cumbria, CA10 2DA

Add Shap to your Itinerary

Email

Close window

Call direct on:

Tel01539 822222

About

The village of Shap consists mainly of two long lines of grey stone houses, many dating from the 18th century, lining the A6 road that runs through the village. In the centre of the village is the market hall, with its curious windows and rounded arches, dating from a few years after the village was granted its market charter in 1687.

The area around Shap was extensively settled in Neolithic times, and there are several stone circles, and other standing stones nearby. Shap Abbey is about half a mile west of the village. It stands in a picturesque setting by the River Lowther, with nothing nearby to interrupt the beauty of the lonely and unfrequented site. It was built in 1199, the last Abbey to be founded in England, and the last to be dissolved by Henry VIII in 1540.

Nearby is the medieval Keld Chapel, owned by the National Trust, and one of their more remote religious sites. St Michael's church has some 12th century elements, though its tower dates from the reign of George IV, and the chancel is Victorian. All well worth a visit.

In the film "Withnail and I" (1986), ‘Crow Cragg’ is Sleddale Hall, until recently a derelict cottage alongside Wet Sleddale Reservoir just west from the A6, near Shap. This is on private property, and should not be visited.

Book Tickets

Tripadvisor

Map & Directions

Map Link

Click here to view map

What's Nearby

  1. Shap Standing Stones
    Shap Standing Stones

    Today, the principal feature is the Goggleby Stone, a 12 ton monolith, which was…

    0.23 miles away
  2. Haweswater
    Haweswater

    Haweswater is the most easterly lake in the Lake District and is also an important…

    4.9 miles away
  3. Slide and Lost Castle Adventure Playground at Lowther Castle & Gardens in Lowther, Lake District
    The Lost Castle Adventure Playground at Lowther Castle

    Imagine coming to a ruined castle, walking through its gardens and into the woodlands and…

    5.85 miles away
  1. View of the Front of Lowther Castle & Gardens in Lowther, Lake District
    Lowther Castle & Gardens

    A spectacular Gothic ruin set in 130 acres of ancient and romantic Gardens, award-winning…

    5.85 miles away
  2. geograph-5177723-by-Mick-Garratt
    Moor Divock

    This area is rich in prehistoric remains including a standing stone, stone circle and…

    6.31 miles away
  3. Harter Fell, behind Haweswater in the Lake District, Cumbria © David Morris
    Wild Haweswater

    A rugged Lake District landscape where nature restoration works alongside hill farming,…

    6.38 miles away
Previous Next

You may also like

  • Bookable Experiences

  • Download Guide

  • Gift Vouchers

  • Itineraries

  • E-newsletter Sign Up

  • Blog

Stay in Touch

Follow The Lake District, Cumbria on Social Media

Sign up for E-newsletter

Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria

Sign Up
  • Let's Go Lake District Blog
  • About Visit Lake District
  • Media Enquiries
  • Travel Trade
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs in the Lake District, Cumbria
  • Site Map
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy
  • World Heritage Cumbria
  • Romantic Breaks
  • Selfie Guide
  • Accommodation
  • What's On
  • Things to Do
  • Food and Drink
  • Lake District Weddings
  • Access for all - Adventure for Everyone
Contact Us

Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL

Made by Simpleview Logo
Beyonk Logo
Experience Booking Powered by Beyonk

Ratings Powered By

tripadvisor

Cumbria Tourism

© Cumbria Tourism