The village straggles for a mile or more along the A6 road, formerly the main route between Lancashire and Scotland, although now much quieter with most traffic using the M6. Its interesting 17th century market building is now the library. Shap makes most of its living from quarrying and cement-making, and the cement works is a blaze of light at night. It also caters well for Coast to Coast walkers, with several B&Bs. 