Originally a farmstead dating back to probably the 15th Century newly weds Richard and Ann Whinfel extended their recently inherited buildings. They opened The Greyhound in 1680 as a coaching Inn where the 'New Times' coaches used to stop. Business must have been good as they extended west in 1684 (from the current Whinfel Restaurant to the front door) at the same time as building Green Farm opposite 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. The Greyhound took its name from the Whinfel family coat of arms who where originally from the village of the same name about 13 miles south of Shap. Ann's family Noble were at the time resident at Sleddale Hall, just North West of what is now Wet Sleddale Reservoir.

It is recorded that Bonnie Prince Charles once stayed overnight on the march south with his Highlanders in 1745 (it must also be said that according to other records he stayed in most of the other houses of Shap that night as well).

The Greyhound stayed relatively unchanged until the building of the Lancaster and Carlisle Railway (now called the West Coast Mainline) which was opened in 1847. The railway brought with it a large influx of tourists and walkers for the first time. Alighting the train at Shap enabled easy access to the local fells and healing properties of the waters at Shap Wells. Guide books of the time showed Shap as a starting and finishing point for a large proportion of Lake District walks often overlooking the less accessable areas of the central Lake District like Langdale Valley etc. We believe that during this period The Greyhound was developed and changed internally to accommodate a greater number of descending guests with the partitioning of large spaces into private rooms and the development of the attic area into servants quarters.

During this period Shap also experienced considerable growth with the development of the Shap Granite works, and the two limestone quarries, building of new houses, extension to the Schools, and the re building of St Michael Church.

From the early 20th Century until the opening of the M6 in 1971 the motor car and commercial vehicles brought a lot of business to the Greyhound, as a stopping point on the journey from/to Scotland, as well as a lunch or afternoon tea venue for sightseeing coach tours. There are many tales of vehicles breaking down on the fell and of course folk getting stuck at Shap in the snow for sometimes weeks at a time during winter. Every year we see rallies of old cars, coaches, bikes and commercial vehicles re living the notorious journey over the fell from Kendal.

Today the Greyhound is flourishing as an award winning 'destination dining pub' attracting between 800 and 1200 diners a week. As well as a stopover point for walkers on A. Wainwright's Coast to Coast walk from St Bees to Robin Hoods Bay, and North South travelers on the M6 Motorway.