Shap Wells Hotel

Hotels
7.9 (1431 reviews)
Shap , Shap , GB

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Fitness center
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Room service
Heating
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly, helpful staff
Excellent location for walks and Red Squirrels
Strong food and breakfast / talented chef
Good value for money
Characterful historic/Edwardian atmosphere
Comfortable beds and ample parking
Cons:
Occasional staffing shortages and slow service
Dated bathrooms / need for improvements
No in-room cooling (fan/AC) during heat
Pot-holed driveway / entrance condition
Limited evening menu at times / expectations mismatch

Categories

Cleanliness
7.2
Mixed comments: several guests praised clean rooms and public areas, but a few reviews noted cleanliness issues (e.g. 'a bit to improve', no toilet brush) and a slightly tired bathroom.
Service
8.4
Generally praised: multiple reviews note very friendly, helpful and attentive staff; however a notable stay reported a staffing shortage with slow service and room changes, producing some inconsistency.
Location
9
Strong positive: repeatedly highlighted as excellent for walks, near woodland and Red Squirrels, convenient for M6 and attractive surroundings.
Room Quality
7.4
Mostly positive: rooms described as comfortable, clean and characterful; some comments mention dated bathrooms and lack of cooling (no fan/AC) during heat spells.
Amenities
7.2
Decent basic amenities: lift, plenty of parking and bar noted positively, but guests missed cooling in rooms and reported a pot-holed driveway and dated bathroom fittings.
Value for Money
8.6
Frequently praised as good value: several guests said the hotel represented great value compared with other Lake District options and food was good value.
Food and Beverage
7.5
Generally strong: many compliments to the chef, excellent breakfasts and tasty evening meals; isolated notes about limited evening menu choices and some buffet/self-service arrangements.
Overall Experience
7.9
Overall view is positive but mixed: most stays were enjoyable with charming character, friendly staff and good food, while occasional poor staffing/service incidents led to notably worse individual experiences.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-08-13 06:49

Property Description

Spacious Rooms with Countryside Views:
Experience the tranquility of the Lake District from our spacious rooms at Shap Wells, each offering free Wi-Fi and picturesque countryside views.

Diverse Dining Options:
Indulge in light meals at the Riverside Lounge and Bar, or enjoy river views while dining at the Birkbeck Restaurant. For a cozy evening, head to the Fell Lounge with a 50-inch flat-screen TV and log fires.

Surrounded by Nature:
Nestled between Penrith and Kendal, our hotel is enveloped by 30 acres of woodland and wildlife. Conveniently located just 5 minutes from the M6 motorway, Shap Wells Hotel offers the perfect blend of serenity and accessibility.

Book your stay at Shap Wells Hotel now to immerse yourself in nature's beauty and enjoy a relaxing getaway.

Important information:

Maximum capacity of extra beds is 2 and some rooms cannot accommodate any.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: MME

Location

Guest Reviews

7.9
Based on 1431 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.2
Service: 8.4
Location: 9
Room Quality: 7.4
Amenities: 7.2
Value for Money: 8.6
Food and Beverage: 7.5
Overall Experience: 7.9
E
edward • solo_traveller • gb
9
Great place, well managed
Pros:

Charming location

Cons:

Need to fix the potholes in the road

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
R
Roger • couple • gb
9
Close to Threave gardens
Pros:

Nice food

Cons:

Breakfast could have some fresh fruit and yoghurt

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
P
Paul • solo_traveller • gb
7
2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
D
Diane • solo_traveller • gb
7
Dated hotel, fantastic location, very comfy bed
Pros:

Location- superb

Cons:

Very limited evening meal menu.

2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
J
John • couple • gb
8
A comfortable overnight stop, close to the M6
Pros:

A comfortable quiet room. We were given a room with the walk in shower we requested. Fresh fruit and choice for breakfast appreciated.

Cons:

We travelled from junction 39 on M6 and missed the turning off the A6 as the sign from that direction was damaged.

2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
C
Chloe • couple • gb
7
2026-09-13 • via Nuitee
R
RWP • couple • nl
8
Fijn hotel met aparte gechiedenis.
Pros:

Zeer vriendelijk en behulpzaam personeel.

Cons:

Ligt erg afgelegen. Je hebt een auto nodig om hier te komen, geen openbaar vervoer aanwezig. Wel shuttle service van hotel aanwezig!

2026-09-13 • via Nuitee
C
Christopher • solo_traveller • gb
8
Shap Wells hotel
Pros:

A lovely old hotel full of character and charm.

Cons:

Could do with a redecorating.

2026-09-13 • via Nuitee
R
Robert • couple • gb
6
Ok place for stopover
Pros:

.

Cons:

.

2026-09-11 • via Nuitee
O
Odin1123 • couple • gb
7
We have stayed here before and find it a very pleasant place to stay over night on our journey north
Pros:

Friendly staff
Lift to floor for room so no stairs to climb.
Beautiful area to stay and they support a colony of red squirrels.
Very good buffet breakfast.

Cons:

The Sat Nav took us on a road that was more potholes than road. The staff told us that the road was owned by the railway and that the main entrance was from the A6.
The bed was not comfortable with any movement by one partner affecting the other.
The dinner menu was limited but the food was good.

2026-09-11 • via Nuitee
P
Peter • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Very clean, quiet, comfortable and friendly.
Will be using again.

2026-09-10 • via Nuitee
J
Julie • couple • gb
7
2026-09-09 • via Nuitee
M
Maurice • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

For me the hotel is in a fabulous location, with very friendly, welcoming staff.

2026-09-09 • via Nuitee
P
Patricia • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
C
Caroline • couple • gb
9
2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
M
Margaret • solo_traveller • gb
10
Returning visitor
Pros:

Remote location, amazing etched and stained glass wall set in mahogany. Beautiful
antique lift. Edwardian elegance. Gentle walks. Waterfall, red squirrels and interesting history!

Cons:

Nothing really but the access road is narrow but accessible for coaches.

2026-09-07 • via Nuitee
S
Steven • couple • gb
10
2026-09-07 • via Nuitee
R
Russel • couple • gb
8
Lovely location
Pros:

Both dinner and breakfast were very good.

2026-09-06 • via Nuitee
C
Claire • couple • fr
10
Pros:

Personnel adorable et très bon restaurant

2026-09-06 • via Nuitee
T
Teresa • couple • gb
5
Beautiful location but check where your room is before you book
Pros:

Beautiful location - loved the decor of the hotel it has a lot of history- rooms are a nice size

Cons:

Before you book you might want to request a room that isn’t overlooking the roof of the kitchen as it was incredibly noisy with the fans, you could hear it constantly with the windows closed - turns off at 9.30pm but starts again at 6.40 am - unable to open to windows as the smell of the kitchen filled the room along with the sound of the fans.
Bed was too hard for my liking.

2026-09-06 • via Nuitee