Ideally, the cutting at the summit should be as deep as possible, such as at Shap, as this helps reduce the amount of climb, and the steepness of the gradient.
The village has three pubs, a small supermarket, a fish and chip shop, an antique book shop, a butcher's shop, a primary school, a newsagent's, a coffee shop, a ceramic art studio called Edge Ceramics, a fire station, a bank (only open 4 hours a week), a shoe shop (New Balance factory shop) an Anglican church and 3 B&B/ Hostels.
Local towns and villages covered by Eden FM Radio include Penrith, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Langwathby, Greystoke, Shap, Skelton and Melmerby.
The first use in action of the Il-2 was with the 4th ShAP (Ground Attack Regiment) over the Berezina River days after the invasion began.
On the banks of the River Lowther it is a mile southwest of Shap and falls within that village's civil parish, Shap Abbey is nearby.
Shapbeck Limestone quarry owned by Hanson plc is in the northern part of the parish though the Hardendale Corus limestone quarry and works and the famous Cemex (formerly RMC) Shap Granite quarries and works are within both Shap Rural and Shap parishes.
It is located in a field down a back road between Keld and Shap.