Greyhound Hotel, Shap (Cumbria)

With panoramic views of the Lake District Fells, The Greyhound Hotel is a famous hostelry dating back to 1680.

Summary 17th century buildings Breakfast included Free car parking (on site) Food and Drinks Restaurant English breakfast (included) Lunch available (at additional cost) Dinner available (at additional cost) Bar

Nearby recreations Pub (walking distance) Recommended restaurants (walking distance)

Introduction

The Greyhound Hotel in Shap is a famous Westmorland hostelry dating back to 1680. Based just 5 minutes from junction 39 of the M6, with panoramic views of the Lake District fells, it is the perfect stopping off point for travellers and walkers alike, especially those on Wainwright's famous Coast to Coast walk.

The hotel has 11 en-suite rooms, with tea & coffee making facilities (6 standard, 5 deluxe), two restaurants, a large bar with an open log fire and a wide selection of wines and real ales to enjoy. Five deluxe bedrooms, upgraded March 2009, boast fell views, flat screen televisions and new en-suite bathrooms or shower rooms.

History to the present day

Originally a farmstead dating back to probably the 15th Century, newlyweds Richard and Ann Whinfel extended their recently inherited buildings and opened The Greyhound in 1680 as a coaching inn where the “New Times" horse-drawn coaches used to stop. In the kitchen, there exists a date stone which commemorates their wedding (see below) from the 27th August 1680. In addition, there is evidence of early stables via the arched shape of the dining room window. Business must have been good as Richard and Ann extended west in 1684, and at the same time built Green Farm (on the opposite side of the main road) to supply the Inn with its fresh produce.

After the death of Richard, Ann and their son William extended the Greyhound to the size it is today by adding the front elevation in 1703. There is another date stone that exists on the outside of the building (see right) commemorating this new building - it has the initials AW and WW with the date 1703 and a crude greyhound above the arched dining room window.

The Greyhound has been welcoming guests for almost 330 years. It is recorded that Bonnie Prince Charlie once stayed overnight on the march south with his Highlanders in 1745. To this day the Greyhound is a welcoming sight for travellers and tourists as the first inn after crossing the now much easier route north from Kendal over the notorious Shap fell.

Food and Drinks

The Greyhound has an excellent reputation for food and drink throughout Cumbria. All dishes are freshly prepared to your order, with all meat coming from local farms. Enabling one of the lowest 'food miles' menus without compromising on quality and supporting local producers.

Enjoy a Cumbrian breakfast (which includes Bellas' world championship cumberland sausage) Westmorland black pudding and free-range local eggs and is served in the Whinfell breakfast room.

There is also a chef's specials board for evening meals which changes on a daily basis, with fish as chef's speciality. The pub also has 8 traditional hand-pulled ales, a selection of lagers and spirits and a wide selection of carefully chosen wines to compliment your meal or just to enjoy in the bar.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Robert Furber The Greyhound Hotel, Main Street, Shap, Cumbria, CA10 3PW, United Kingdom

Address: The Greyhound Hotel, Main Street, Shap, Cumbria, CA10 3PW

Check In: From 2pm Check Out: 10am

From M6 J39, take the A6 heading north into Shap village (approximately 1 mile). The Greyhound is the first inn on your right hand side.

Nearest railway station is Penrith North Lakes
Nearest airports are Newcastle and Manchester
Bus service is the 106/107 Penrith - Shap - Kendal
Taxis available from Penrith.

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