Shap Abbey

Shap Abbey in Cumbria

Shap Abbey

Where is it – England, North West England

Who looks after it –  English Heritage 

What is it –  Abbey-Monastery, Free access, Ruin 

When is it from – Medieval

The fairly remote and sometimes muddy ruins of Shap Abbey will be found some distance from Shap itself, along narrow minor roads adjacent to a farm and beside the river Lowther. This was an abbey of the Premonstratensian order, known as ‘the white canons’ because of the pale habits they wore. Shap Abbey was founded c1200 by Thomas, son of Gospatric, a local baron. It was a small community, quite wealthy, was raided by the Scots in the 14th century and dissolved by Henry VIII in 1540. The dominating feature of the ruins is the impressive 15th century tower.

 


Address

Shap, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 3NB 

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