Name: Shap Wells Hotel
Address: Shap, Shap, Cumbria, CA10 3QU
Price range: US$95+
Rating: 9.2

Key details

About the Hotel

Shap, Shap, CA10 3QU

Close to Shap Summit

Very good

7.6

8.6

/10

3.0

3.9

Loved by Shap Wells Hotel guests

Clean rooms

Comfortable bed

Friendly staff

Great value

"The dog walk at the back is just right and seeing the red squirrels is an added bonus (especially if you are a hound!)"

Anonymous

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"We were located next to the forest where you can go for a lovely walk and do some red squirrel spotting."

RCS Wirral from United Kingdom

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"The room was lavish and large with 2 single beds and 1 double for us to use."

Lowerpitkerrie from United Kingdom

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3-star historic country house hotel on 30 acres of private woodland with red squirrels

Rooms & Grounds

The hotel offers 99 en suite rooms, many with views of the surrounding countryside. Set within 30 acres of private woodland, guests find walking trails that lead to a red squirrel colony. The building, dating from 1833, retains original stained glass, a wood-paneled staircase, and a glass lift.

Dining

Birkbeck Restaurant provides traditional cuisine with views over the river. The Riverside Lounge and Bar serves light meals and drinks in a setting with a log fire. A buffet breakfast with full English and continental choices is offered each morning.

Activities & Entertainment

The games room contains a small gym and a full-size snooker table. Guests can join bike tours, darts, billiards, table tennis, or themed dinner nights. Live music performances and stand-up comedy are also scheduled.

Business & Conferences

Seven conference rooms with natural daylight and flexible capacity host business events. Free parking is available at both the front and rear of the hotel. Express check-in/check-out and 24-hour front desk service are provided.

Pet-Friendly & Family

The hotel accepts dogs and offers pet-friendly accommodation. Family rooms and special kids' meals are available for younger guests. Facilities for disabled guests include wheelchair-accessible rooms and a lift.

Highlights

Location: Secluded valley between Penrith and Kendal, 5 minutes from M6

Rooms: 99 en suite rooms with countryside views

Dining: Birkbeck Restaurant with river views, Riverside Lounge

Wildlife: 30 acres woodland with red squirrel colony

Activities: Games room, snooker, bike tours, live music

Business: Seven conference rooms with natural daylight

Pet Policy: Dog-friendly accommodation available

Must-do experiences

Hike the stunning Howgill Fells for breathtaking views and tranquility.
Try the famous Cumberland sausage at the local butcher's shop.
Visit the historic Shap Abbey ruins for a glimpse of local history.
Explore the Shap Market on Thursdays for fresh produce and crafts.
Enjoy a guided tour at the nearby 1850s Shap Wells Spa for relaxation.

Location: Great

8.5/10Review score

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Highlights from guests

DiningFood was great!

Dinner offered multiple courses. Breakfast had hot and cold options, and was constantly restocked, even for late arrivals.

EmilyR from Canada

Review on

Guest ParkingEasy parking

I found the hotel provided good parking on site. The location, close to the motorway, was very convenient.

JohnS from Wales

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Room FeaturesSpacious Room

My room was larger than expected. It was clean, comfortable, and had everything I needed for a pleasant stay.

AliceT from Australia

Review on

Sports & FitnessSquirrel Spotting!

I saw red squirrels in the woodlands! I enjoyed the accessible walking paths to the red squirrel conservation area.

KenJ from Scotland

Review on

Select your preferred room

Choose from standard rooms, family suites, or deluxe options — with breakfast and flexible rates

Family Room
2 persons
16 m²
1 Double bed and 1 Single bed
Heating
room details
Double or Twin Room
2 persons
15 m²
2 Single beds / 1 Double bed
Heating
room details
Single Room
2 persons
8 m²
1 Single bed
Heating
room details

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Hotel facilities and services

Each hotel provides modern amenities for a relaxing and pleasant stay

Facilities: Very good

7.7/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Free parking
24-hour reception
Express check-in/ -out
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Luggage storage
Lift
Vending machines

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre
Hiking
Billiard tables
Darts
Table tennis

Services

Room service
Housekeeping
Tours/Ticket assistance
Welcome drink

Dining

In-room breakfast
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Dinner
Packed lunches
Special diet menus

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots
Children's menu
Game room

Spa & Leisure

Live entertainment
Garden area
Leisure/ TV room

Room features

Heating
Sitting area
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Dining Onsite

Shap Wells Hotel offers a delightful array of dining experiences, perfect for travelers looking to indulge in hearty meals amidst a welcoming atmosphere. Enjoy a varied buffet breakfast and light meals in a family-friendly setting, accommodating dietary needs while making every mealtime a special occasion.

Riverside Lounge and Bar

Casual dining offering light meals

Ambiance

A relaxed lounge ideal for family gatherings, featuring traditional decor and a cozy atmosphere.

Key Offerings

Light meals perfect for unwinding after a day of adventure, along with a selection of refreshing drinks.

Reservation

Not needed

Open for meals throughout the day, details about specific hours not provided.

Breakfast Buffet

Buffet with full English and continental options

Ambiance

Bright and inviting dining space, perfect for families to gather and start their day.

Key Offerings

A sumptuous buffet featuring traditional English breakfast items as well as lighter continental choices.

Reservation

Not needed

Available in the morning; specific hours not listed.

Shap Wells Hotel Location

Shap, Shap, CA10 3QU

Map view

City landmarks

Landmark

Shap Summit

1.15 km

Landmark

King Charles II Monument

2.78 km

Landmark

Wicker Street Cairn

3.31 km

Landmark

White Hag Stone Circle

3.48 km

Landmark

Oddendale Stone Circles

3.58 km

Landmark

Shap Abbey

6.23 km

Landmark

Robin Hood's Grave

4 km

Landmark

Tebay Services Northbound M6

4.32 km

Landmark

Sherry Gill Baryte Mine

4.12 km

Landmark

Greenholme

4.79 km

Landmark

Cairn

4.43 km

Landmark

ancient settlement

4.48 km

Landmark

The George Hotel

4.6 km

Church

All Saints Church

4.68 km

Landmark

Orton Methodist Church

4.7 km

Landmark

Mountain Rat Adventures

4.78 km

Castle

National Trust

5.52 km

Landmark

Hollin Stump round cairn

4.96 km

Landmark

Silver Yard Gallery

6.22 km

Church

St Lawrence's Church

6.76 km

Nearby

Castle Knowe

230 m

Queen Victoria Statue

240 m

Explore Shap

Activities Near Shap Wells Hotel

Castle Knowe

3 minutes' walk

A local landmark with historical significance, Castle Knowe offers picturesque views and a slice of local heritage.

Queen Victoria Statue

3 minutes' walk

This statue commemorates Queen Victoria, situated in a quaint area, perfect for a quick visit and photo opportunity.

Shap Summit

14-minute walk

Spectacular views await at Shap Summit, known for its scenic landscapes and ideal for photography enthusiasts.

Wicker Street Cairn

35 minutes' walk

A historic burial site, Wicker Street Cairn is a fascinating spot for history lovers, surrounded by beautiful countryside.

Hiking at Shap Summit

14-minute walk

Hiking enthusiasts can enjoy the stunning trails of Shap Summit, offering breathtaking views of the countryside.

Fishing at Tebay Services

45 minutes' walk

Fishing options at Tebay Services Northbound offer a relaxing experience for anglers. Equipment rentals are available on-site.

The Cross Keys Inn

10 minutes' drive

A traditional pub atmosphere offering hearty British fare, including famous pies. Reservations recommended for peak times.

The Old School Tea Room

10 minutes' drive

Charming tea room featuring light bites and homemade cakes. Perfect for a cozy afternoon break, with vegetarian options available.

Shap Community Centre

10 minutes' drive

Host to various events and activities, the centre offers family-friendly events like movie nights and craft workshops.

The Black Swan

10 minutes' drive

This local pub features live music on weekends, creating a vibrant atmosphere and a great place to unwind after the day.

Getting around the city

City Centre
Shap 8 min · 5.3 km
Airports
Carlisle Lake District (CAX) 95 min · 62.8 km
Durham Tees Valley (MME) 160 min · 106.6 km

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-22:30

Check-out

from 03:00-11:00

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Breakfast

A continental breakfast is served at affordable prices.

Children & extra beds

There are no extra beds provided in a room.

Pets

Pets are allowed on request.

Year renovated:

2012

Number of rooms:

252

Former name

Best Western Shap Wells Hotel

Guest ratings and detailed reviews

Feedback about Shap Wells Hotel from previous guests about their experience.

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

Shap Wells Hotel is appreciated for its location near the red squirrel sanctuary, approximately two minutes' walk away, where many guests spot the animals and waterfalls. The rooms are often described as spacious and clean, with facilities like a bath, shower, TV, and tea/coffee. The hotel also offers a central heating system that guests can control themselves. While some found the food quality did not quite meet expectations, many highlight the overall value for money and proximity to both the Lakes and the Dales.

Review score

Based on 3 verified reviews

9.2 /10

Perfect

100%

Recommend

Staff

8.7/10

Location

8.5/10

Free Wi-Fi

7.1/10

Facilities

7.7/10

Pros

Dog-friendly room

Good breakfast

Friendly staff

Cons

Cold water issue

Tired manager

Squeaky floorboards

Jordan from United Kingdom

Couple

Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 17, 2026

9.5/10

Romantic getaway

friendly staff rustic decor peaceful setting

The staff were friendly and accommodating. They helped us with a flat car battery, it. The traditional, rustic decor was good. It reminded me of cherished childhood memories. The peaceful setting was lovely, especially seeing the squirrels, I FELT a connection with nature.

Unfortunately, the bathroom radiator wasn't working. It was a minor inconvenience, but something to note.

Rooms

9/10

The room was well-heated and clean. The provided amenities were more than adequate. The bathroom size was satisfactory, I FELT at home.

Dining

10/10

The breakfast buffet offered plenty of choices. The dinner and breakfast service were especially good. The staff in the restaurant were very attentive. The meals were tasty and fulfilling, I enjoyed every bite.

Service

10/10

The owner and manager was very friendly and cute. They seemed proud. The staff were very good when we needed assistance. Every interaction was warm and helpful. The waiters and waitresses were helpful and friendly, AMAZING!!!

Location

9/10

The location had beautiful greenery all around. The setting was peaceful and quiet, I could relax completely. The surroundings were picturesque and perfect for walks. The squirrels were a good bonus, nature's sweet surprise.

0 Helpful

Harper from United States

Family with children

Family Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 28, 2025

9/10

lovely grounds red squirrels amazing food

grounds and gardens were lovely to see. red squirrels roam around and i saw loads of wildlife. the food was amazing in the restaurant

i couldn't open my room windows easily.

0 Helpful

Tom from United Kingdom

Single

Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 16, 2025

9/10

Excellent Stay with Friendly Squirrels

lovely roast good breakfast friendly squirrels

The hotel staff were great. I arrived after dinner service, but they accommodated my meal request. The roast was lovely and the following morning breakfast was really good. Red squirrels on the hotel are a delight and so friendly.

0 Helpful

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