The Knap O' Howar
The Knap O' Howar
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
42 reviews
Excellent
33
Very good
8
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Dom
Stratford-upon-Avon, UK309 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
A day trip here (from Westray) is a must. To visit northern Europe's oldest building and have it all to yourself.
We got the boat from Westray and walked up and down the small island for the day. Hardly saw anyone else at all.
We got the boat from Westray and walked up and down the small island for the day. Hardly saw anyone else at all.
Written September 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jocky
Birmingham, UK426 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
If you make it to Papa Westray then this is the No1 site to visit
We travelled over on a small ferry from Pierowall and hired bikes from the Papay Ranger to get round the island
The Knap is impressive and older - 3600BC - than anything else in the Orkneys - but due to its isolated location, so much more quieter than visiting some of the other more famous sites
The views from this location towards Westray are spectacular (weather permitting)
And you may see a seal or two from the Knap too (we did)
We travelled over on a small ferry from Pierowall and hired bikes from the Papay Ranger to get round the island
The Knap is impressive and older - 3600BC - than anything else in the Orkneys - but due to its isolated location, so much more quieter than visiting some of the other more famous sites
The views from this location towards Westray are spectacular (weather permitting)
And you may see a seal or two from the Knap too (we did)
Written September 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ursus_Polaris
Trondheim, Norway239 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
My wife and I were the only tourists on the morning flight .
The Knap was our first sight on the walking roundtrip. Being do lightly visited, You can walk into the remains of the house. Very interesting and unique. Strongly recommended!
Not often one can walk into a dwelling that is around 5.000 yrsrs old! And no other people in sight. A must if possible.
The Knap was our first sight on the walking roundtrip. Being do lightly visited, You can walk into the remains of the house. Very interesting and unique. Strongly recommended!
Not often one can walk into a dwelling that is around 5.000 yrsrs old! And no other people in sight. A must if possible.
Written April 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LesleyHK
Hong Kong, China529 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Papay Peedie Tours with Jonathan the Papay Ranger took us to the Knap and we were fascinated with the history and age of such a building. Older than Skara Brae it gives us a magical insight into Neolithic life. Well worth a visit and highly recommended Papay Peedie Tours!
Written May 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Albia-Newton
Evanton, UK3,948 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
A family farm from over 3000 years ago
A well preserved site (in the corner of a farmers field.
Active excavation being undertaken by Historic Scotland adjacent to the site.
If I was a neolithic farmer I would have chosen this spot for my home - Fantastic view and a peaceful setting.
A well preserved site (in the corner of a farmers field.
Active excavation being undertaken by Historic Scotland adjacent to the site.
If I was a neolithic farmer I would have chosen this spot for my home - Fantastic view and a peaceful setting.
Written July 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gill T
Orkney Islands, UK602 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
We had a very short time in the Orkneys and I had a large number of Neolithic sites I wanted to visit. We managed to book one of our nights on Westray and I had hoped we might have time for a 2 minute flight and short visit to Papa Westray, however it seemed it would not fit our schedule. Our visit to Westray involved the ferry which got into Westray at about 6 pm on Saturday and leaving from the Rapness terminal the following day, Sunday at 8 pm.
However we were lucky enough to discover there was a wedding party going over and so an extra boat trip was on the cards, which meant the bus driver phoning to ask the ferry to wait at Pierrowall harbour, leaving our luggage when we were taken to our B&B door, jumping back on the waiting bus and joining the short ferry ride to Papa Westray.
It was about a mile or two's walk to the Knap of Howar, a brilliant site, and I am so glad we saw it. http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/knaphowar.htm has amongst other sites like http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=872788502 full descriptions of the site. Excavations were under way when we visited, meaning a small part of the site was under wraps. It is free and open to be walked through and looked at normally.
3,600 BC to about 3,000 BC are the provisional dates of occupation. Amazing state of preservation considering their age. At that time we could probably have walked from Pierrowall.
More time on Papay would have made visiting the bird reserve possible, but arriving at 7 and leaving at 11 left scant time for us elderly walkers and night was coming on, despite the very light evenings. The air strip is closer to both these attractions. It was a magical visit though, well worth the lack of food or rest in order to make this trip.
However we were lucky enough to discover there was a wedding party going over and so an extra boat trip was on the cards, which meant the bus driver phoning to ask the ferry to wait at Pierrowall harbour, leaving our luggage when we were taken to our B&B door, jumping back on the waiting bus and joining the short ferry ride to Papa Westray.
It was about a mile or two's walk to the Knap of Howar, a brilliant site, and I am so glad we saw it. http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/knaphowar.htm has amongst other sites like http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=872788502 full descriptions of the site. Excavations were under way when we visited, meaning a small part of the site was under wraps. It is free and open to be walked through and looked at normally.
3,600 BC to about 3,000 BC are the provisional dates of occupation. Amazing state of preservation considering their age. At that time we could probably have walked from Pierrowall.
More time on Papay would have made visiting the bird reserve possible, but arriving at 7 and leaving at 11 left scant time for us elderly walkers and night was coming on, despite the very light evenings. The air strip is closer to both these attractions. It was a magical visit though, well worth the lack of food or rest in order to make this trip.
Written June 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
H L
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK162 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
This is the oldest stone built house in Europe. The dresser, fireplace, quernstone, sleeping areas and storeroom areas are all clearly visible.
It is a short walk down from the farm.
It is astonishing!
It is a short walk down from the farm.
It is astonishing!
Written August 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
corindac2018
53 contributions
Jun 2021
The Knap O'Howar is like a smaller version of Skara Brae and was discovered in the same way. However, you will probably have it to yourself, and you can get a lot closer than at Skara. It's a bit of a trudge across a field - but stunningly worth it when you get there.
Written June 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shieldsman
Maidenhead, England455 contributions
Jul 2019
The Knapp of Howar is right on the edge of the sea on Papa Westray, accessed through a rough field. Unlike sites on Mainland Orkney, you're likely to have thisto yourself. It's well worth continuing on north to St Boniface Kirk. With a little planning it's easily accessible from Kirkwall by ferry to Westray, bus over Westray, then another ferry to Papa Westray. Then it's only a couple of miles to walk.
Written August 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dunyazade
Arlington, VA360 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
You can feel the difference when you enter the rooms -- The ever-present wind suddenly is no longer roaring in your ears and you understand: The neolithic people who built this settlement, perhaps 500 years before Skara Brae on Mainland Orkney, probably were not much different from yourself. They would have wanted shelter, warmth, and places to store and organize their belongings and foodstuffs. Unlike Skara Brae, you can walk and sit inside these houses, try your hand at the quernstone, and feel much more vividly an echo of life long ago.
Written June 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello & good afternoon. I live in London. We are planning to see the Knap of Howar. We don’t have a car. We only rely on public transport. Can you please give us an advice the quickest & also the cheapest way to visit the place.
Dunyazade
Arlington, VA360 contributions
Answering even though it's been more than a year because someone else might have the same question. I'm not sure that quick and cheap are both possible, but we got there via public transportation so it can be done.
The quickest would be to fly from Kirkwall to Westray, then from Westray to Papa Westray (world's shortest scheduled flight - certificate available). The Knap is maybe a 10 minute walk from the airport.
If you go by ferry, it will take a lot longer. Ferry from Kirkwall to Westray, then Westray community bus to Pierowall to get the ferry to Papay. From the Papa Westray ferry terminal, it's a bit over 2 miles to the Knap, so allow at least a couple of hours to get there and back and spend some time.
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Knap O' Howar
- Restaurants near The Knap O' Howar:
- (3.61 mi) Pierowall Hotel Restaurant
- (3.23 mi) Jacks Chippy
- (3.79 mi) Saintear
- (7.15 mi) Richans Retreat
- (0.72 mi) Northern Delights Cafe
The Knap O' Howar Information
Excellent Reviews | 33 |
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Very Good Reviews | 8 |
The Knap O' Howar Photos | 98 |