where to visit

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shap abbey

shap abbey , the ruins of an abbey. for more info see full section on shap abbey

pooley bridge,ullswater

One of the most popular lakes,you can travel the lake on an ullswater steamer from pooley bridge to glenridding. for more info   ,ullswater steamers,glenridding pier house, glenridding,penrith ca11 ous  -tel :  017684 82229 ,fax : 017684 82669   or visit : www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk

There is also pony trekking available at parkfoot trekking centre tel 017684 86696 or www.parkfootponytrekking.co.uk  ,for more info on ullswater the tourist information centre in glenridding  is open daily, easter - october 9.30-5.30 ,tel 017684 82414 or email ullswatertic@lake-district.gov.uk  the tic in glenridding can be contacted on  017684 82414

shap church

st michaels church is at the north east end of the village,turn up by chip shop to get there .

haweswater

an overlooked but picturesque valley,created when haweswater reservoir was built flooding the village of mardale, you can drive to the end of the reservoir where there is a car park from where you can walk round to the other side of the lake and perhaps catch a glimpse of englands only golden eagle which nests nearby,for the more agile you could walk up riggindale on  to high street  and take in the stunning views,
for more info on the golden eagle visit - http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/h/haweswater/

lakeland bird of prey centre

The centre is a sanctuary for birds of prey set in a walled garden and parkland at lowther which is 6 miles north of shap just off the A6 ,It has a large collection of hawks,eagles,owls and falcons from around the world,   flying demonstrations daily (weather permitting).  tearoom, giftshop,disabled access,  it is open daily easter- november from 11.00-17.00 .flying shows are at 14.00-16.00 .  For more info tel - 01931 712746 or email  ibpc@btinternet.com

rheged

the rheged centre is just outside penrith open from 10.00-17.00 every day.housed under a unique grass roof rheged has 10 shops ,cafes  ,soft play area,large screen cinema and exhibitions ,for more info visit  www.rheged.com  or tel 01768 868000 ,  fax 01768 868002

kennedys fine chocolates

Based at the old school ,orton about 5 miles south of shap they make handmade chocolates in their small factory,has a factory shop and home baking and home made ice creams .opening times  -mon-sat 09.00-17.00,sun/public holidays 11.00-17.00.   tel 01539 624781
or www.kennedyschocolates.co.uk 

the alpaca centre

The alpaca centre is situated approximately 11 miles from shap near the town of penrith. it has a shop with alpaca knitwear and an elevated tearoom, open all year from 10.00 -17.00 ,the centre is free -field walks are £1 per person.  the alpaca centre,snuff mill lane,stainton ,penrith ca11 0ha.
tel 01768 891440  ,fax 01768 890557
 www.thealpacacentre.co.uk

penrith

market town 10 miles north  from shap , supposed to be in the process of getting a huge new shopping developement , but at the moment its not got a lot to offer apart from one or two nice shops in the town centre ,no fewer than ten charity shops and a lot of zealous traffic wardens so beware the disc zones if you visit ,it also has a museum and remains of a castle , also has a golf driving range and a small 9 hole golf course ,more info : www.penrithgolf.co.uk tel 01768 892167

for more info contact tourist information.robinsons school,middlegate,penrith ca11 7pt ,tel 01768 867466 or email pen.tic@eden.gov.uk open daily from easter to october .

penrith castle on a january morning in 2009

appleby-in-westmorland

Probably most famous for appleby fair the yearly gathering of gypsies and romany's which attracts thousands of visitors every june ,appleby also has a golf club established in 1903 for the sporty among you ,for more info call  the secretary on 017683 51432 or email  secretary@applebygolfclub.com for details.

For more info on appleby contact tourist information. moot hall,boroughgate ca16 6xe .tel 017683 51177 or email tic@applebytown.org.uk or tel 017683 51177

eden ostrich world

eden ostrich world is located at langwathby about 15 miles northeast of  shap,it is open 10.00-17.00 daily from march-oct ,and through winter with reduced entry and hours ,great day out for the kids ,there is a pets corner ,riverside walk adventure area ,heated indoor soft play area ,  gift shop and of course ostriches as well as meerkats and much much more ,entry is adults£5.95 ,children(3-15) £4.95 ,family tkts available .     eden ostrich world,langwathby hall farm,langwathby,penrith ca10 1lw
 more info :www.ostrich-world.com  or tel 01768 881771  fax 01768 881771

kendal

 Kendal is about 16 miles south of shap on the A6 and is a much nicer shopping experience altogether than penrith, a pedestrianised centre(watch out for the buses though) ,with a varied selection of shops,also the indoor westmorland shopping centre with an indoor market,
Kendal also has a museum, founded in 1796 it is one of the oldest surviving museums in the country,it has a dedicated display  to alfred wainwright .kendal museum ,station road ,kendal,cumbria.la9 6bt. open thu /fri /sat -12-17.00. Free parking for museum visitors.   for more info   visit www.kendalmuseum.org.uk .

kendal has a climbing centre , more info at www.kendalwall.co.uk

 there is also a dry ski slope  info www.kendalski.co.uk

 for more information contact tourist information.town hall,highgate,kendal,la9 4dl.tel 01539 797516 or e-mail kendaltic@southlakeland.gov.uk

tourist information centres

more info on cumbria can be found at www.visitcumbria.com  and www.dmoz.org
 www.lakedistrict.gov.uk