Book Shap Wells Hotel in Shap, Lake District

The hotel offers rooms with en suite facilities and satellite TV, many with countryside views across the Cumbrian hills. Guests have access to 30 acres of woodland and wildlife, including a red squirrel conservation site with bird feeders and a stream. A games room provides a small gym and a snooker table, while walking tours and hiking trails start from the property.

The Birkbeck Restaurant has an Art Deco dining room with river views and serves traditional Cumbrian cuisine. Evening entertainment includes live music, stand-up comedy, themed dinner nights, and a weekly quiz night. The Riverside Lounge and Bar offers light meals and drinks, while the Fell Lounge has a 50-inch flat-screen TV and log fires.

The hotel has seven conference rooms with natural daylight and flexible capacity for business events. Complimentary Wi-Fi and free parking at both the front and rear of the hotel are included. Express check-in/check-out and luggage storage are available for business travelers.

The hotel provides family rooms, kids' meals, and access to outdoor activities like bike tours, darts, and table tennis. Dogs are welcomed with a dedicated pet-friendly block and a charge of £15 per night. The grounds offer walking paths, a waterfall, and a red squirrel feeding area that children can enjoy.

The hotel sits between Penrith and Kendal, just five minutes from the M6 motorway, making it accessible yet secluded. Originally built in 1833 as a Victorian spa resort, the building has original details like an oak-panelled foyer and open fire. The property is within walking distance of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Park entrances, with Appleby Golf Club nearby.

Wildlife: Red squirrel sanctuary in 30 acres of private woodland

Heritage: Victorian spa building from 1833 with oak-panelled foyer

Location: 5 minutes from M6, near Lake District and Yorkshire Dales

Dining: Art Deco Birkbeck Restaurant and Riverside Lounge

Business: Seven conference rooms with natural daylight