The holiday cottage is in the small village of Shap which consists of two long lines of limestone built houses, many dating from the 18th century, lining the A6 road that runs through the village. Until 1970, and the completion of the M6 between Kendal and Penrith, the A6 across Shap summit formed the main north-south route, linking the industrial areas of north-west England with Scotland.

The route was busy, and notoriously hazardous in poor weather conditions. Often in winter the road became snow-bound and impassable. In the centre of the village is the market hall, with its curious windows and rounded arches, which dates from a few years after the village was granted its market cherter in 1687.

The area around Shap was extensively settled in Neolithic times, and there are several stone circles, and other standing stones nearby. Shap itself was built on the site of a 2 mile long Neolithic stone avenue which had at its mid point a 400m diameter stone circle which is very close to the holiday cottage. You can read more about the standing stones and stone circles of Shap here

Modern day Shap is situated on the very edge of the Lake District National Park and its a short walk from the cottage to the river which runs along the eastern edge of the park. This is a great place for a picnic and children can spend many hours playing on the stepping stones over the river.

In the centre of the village is the market hall, with its curious windows and rounded arches, which dates from a few years after the village was granted its market cherter in 1687.

Open Air Heated Swimming Pool

The biggest attraction for kids in the village is the open air swimming pool which is the highest in England and open from mid May to the end of August.

Shap Summit, about 2¼ miles south of the former Shap station, is the highest point on the West Coast main railway line from London to Glasgow, at 914ft above sea level. Shap summit on the A6 is about 1350 feet above sea level, and in a small layby is a memorial 'to the drivers and crew of vehicles that made possible the social and commercial links between north and south on the old and the difficult route over Shap Fell'.

Shap has more recently built up around its quarrying activities. As well as limestone, there is the Shap blue granite, and the more famous Shap pink granite, seen throughout Britain in kerbstones and building frontages, and both quarried about two miles south from the village, near Shap Summit.

Nearby is Haweswater, a man-made lake, built to supply water to Manchester. It is probably best remembered for when the water level drops and the flooded village of Mardale is again accessible to walkers, bringing back memories and creating a tremendous visitor attraction. It is a beautiful valley well worth seeing even when full, the walk round Haweswater is about 10 miles on part of the Coast to Coast footpath with a stop at the Haweswater Hotel for afternoon tea a must.

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 in the village has some 12th century elements, though its tower dates from the reign of George IV, and the chancel is Victorian.

In the film "Withnail and I" (1986), ‘Crow Cragg’ is Sleddale Hall, a derelict cottage alongside Wet Sleddale Reservoir is a level walk from the cottage following the river Lowther round the reservoir and back along the old concrete road built to supply the building of Haweswater in 1935

Shap Wells Hotel was opened in 1833 to serve the growing numbers of visitors coming to take the waters of the Shap Spa, located in the hotel's grounds. Under the ownership of the Earl of Lonsdale the hotel became a fashionable resort visited by many members of the aristocracy, the best known of these being HRH Princess Mary. During the second world war Shap Wells was requisitioned as a prisoner of war camp for senior Luftwaffe and German Naval Officers. In 1962, after a period of decline, the building was purchased and turned into the fine hotel it is today.

The village has many amenities:

Post Office - with cash point.
4 Public Houses
CO-OP mini supermarket - open on Sunday mornings.
Newsagents - open Sunday mornings.
Cafe serving lunch meals - Closed Sunday & Monday.
Fish & Chip shop
Butchers - dont miss out on the award winning Cumberland sausage
Hairdresser's
DR's Surgery
Fire Station
Open Air Swimming Pool - open May till Sept
Childrens play area
Playing field
Tennis courts
Bowling Green
Library

The famous New Balance factory shop is also in the village which is a must visit if you are a runner or just want a good pair of trainers.

There are regular daily busses into Penrith and Kendal from where you can get into the heart of the Lake District.

More information about Shap can be found at the Shap Community Website

You can also find other holiday accommodation at Lake District Bed and Breakfast - Guest House Accommodation Index

Please visit lovetoescape for a great range of holiday accommodation including B&Bs in The Lake District .