Shap Tourist Information

Famed for its granite used as a material in many of its buildings, Shap in High Westmorland is an ancient market village with a central Market Cross and Abbey alongside the River Lowther dating from 1199. The Shap area was also famously the site for some of the film footage in cult 1980s film ‘Withnail and I’, shot around Sleddale Hall situated about a 10 minute walk from the village. Amenities including a fine butchers, inns, a cafe, small supermarket and guests houses all feature in the town. Shap is also home to England’s highest open air swimming pool!

Take a tour of ancient Shap Abbey alongside the River Lowther founded by Premonstratensian Canons in 1199. The village is also home to St Michael’s Church dating from the 8th century, rebuilt later in 1150. A number of ancient standing stones and stone circles can also be found within walking distance of the village around villages such as Hardendale, Towcett and Little Strickland. Some date from as far back as the Mesolithic period.