Shap Abbey

Shap Abbey is a peaceful ruined monastery set beside the River Lowther in the Eden Valley. Founded in the 12th century as a Premonstratensian abbey, it once supported religious life, farming, and local communities across the region. Although much of the complex was dismantled after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, impressive stone walls, arches, and windows still survive. The abbey’s remote riverside setting creates a calm and reflective atmosphere, enhanced by surrounding meadows and hills. Today, Shap Abbey is popular with walkers, photographers, and history enthusiasts seeking quiet beauty, medieval heritage, and scenic countryside views.