Shap Abbey was founded in 1199 and was one of the last abbeys to be built in England. It was one of 32 religious houses in Britain belonging to the Premonstratensian order of canons. They were also known as White Canons due to the colour of the habits they wore. Shap was a small community but a rich one, with a large income generated from lands donated by powerful northern families. 

The ruins are mostly from the 13th century although the most prominent feature, the West Tower, dates from the early 16th century. Monastic life at Shap ended in 1540, as a result of the Suppression of the Monasteries.