Shap Stone Avenue
Goggleby Stone
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 Shown within Cumbria
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| Location | Shap, Cumbria |
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| Coordinates | 54°30′47″N 2°40′08″W / 54.5131°N 2.6688°W |
| Type | Avenue and stone circle |
| History | |
| Periods | Neolithic |
The Shap Stone Avenue (an unofficial name) is a megalithic complex near Shap in Cumbria comprising stone circles, a two-mile avenue (actually two avenues) of stones, and burial mounds.
Shap Stone Avenue is one of three major complexes of megalithic monuments to be found in east Cumbria. The stone circles, henges, cairns and other standing stones in the area are often grouped at nodes of communication routes - the monuments around Shap form an 'avenue' running to the east of the River Lowther along a main route to the north; the Long Meg complex runs alongside the River Eden; Mayburgh Henge and the other henges run alongside the River Eamont near its confluence with the River Lowther.
The OS grid reference of the Shap Avenue site can be given as NY5614, but the actual boundaries of the complex remain in doubt. Some stones have been lost, some natural erratics may have been added to the monument in historical times, and the various early accounts of the setting by William Stukeley, Thomas Pennant, Lady Lonsdale and George Hall are not easy to reconcile.
However, the avenue may be seen in the context of the valley in which it is placed. Clare pointed out that the view to the east is restricted, that there may have been a tarn close to the site, and that the southern terminus of the lines of stones may have ended at a stream. There may also have been a spring within the complex. All of these features are similar to ones found at the Long Meg and Mayburgh complexes as well. The Shap complex has stone circles and cairns to the east of it such as the Hardendale Stone Cairn, Castle Howe, Seal Howe and Oddendale.
In addition, the northern focus of some of the stones of Shap Avenue 'north' appears to be a burial mound at Skellaw Hill, the southern focus of some of the stones of Shap Avenue 'south' also seems to be a burial mound or mounds.
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Wikipedia