It reaches a height of 587 metres (1,926 ft) and is situated in one of the quieter areas of the national park, 2 kilometres (1+1⁄4 miles) north-east of Kentmere village.

The eastern face above Longsleddale is steeper and includes Rough Crags and Goat Scar itself.

South of Shipman Knotts, across the unnamed walkers’ pass from Kentmere to Longsleddale, is a broad upland area between the two valleys.

[3] The ascent from Kentmere village takes the track which goes up west towards the valley of Longsleddale, crossing the ridge to the south of Shipman Knotts.

Shipman Knotts is also climbed regularly as part of the ascent of Harter Fell from the south and as part of the Kentmere horseshoe, a 19-kilometre (12-mile) walk with 1,100 metres (3,600 ft) of ascent that starts and finishes in the village of Kentmere and takes in the better-known fells of Kentmere Pike, Harter Fell, Mardale Ill Bell, Thornthwaite Crag, Froswick, Ill Bell and Yoke.