Howick house

#1389 among destinations in the United Kingdom

Archaeological site

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Map

Facts and practical information

The Howick house is a Mesolithic site located in Northumberland, England. It was found when an amateur archaeologist noticed flint tools eroding out of a sandy cliff face near the village of Howick. Investigations found a circle of substantial post holes with charcoal stains in their bases, a number of smaller stake holes, some angled in from outside a hollow, and inside the house a number of shallow hearths filled with charcoal, burnt nutshells and some fragments of bone. Radiocarbon dating of the charred hazelnut shells established that the building was constructed about 7600 BC and occupied for about 100 years, which led to the find being called "Britain's oldest house". This title was disputed in 2010 when the discovery of the even older 'house-structure' at Star Carr in North Yorkshire was announced. ()

Alternative names: Coordinates: 55°27'14"N, 1°35'35"W

Location

Copley Hall 1 HowickEnglandUnited Kingdom

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Day trips

Howick house – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Alnwick Castle, Dunstanburgh Castle, The Alnwick Garden, Bailiffgate Museum.

5.2 miSW
Medieval castle with state rooms
Alnwick Castle, Alnwick
132 min walk • Alnwick Castle, often referred to as the "Windsor of the North," is a magnificent historical fortress nestled in the picturesque town of Alnwick, in the heart of Northumberland, England. This grand castle, which dates back to the Norman period, has been the seat of the...
2.5 miN
14th-century coastal castle ruins
Dunstanburgh Castle, Alnwick
65 min walk • Perched on a rugged coastal headland in Northumberland, Dunstanburgh Castle stands as a formidable fortification and an evocative piece of England's medieval history. The castle, now largely in ruins, was built in the 14th century by Earl Thomas of Lancaster and later...
5.1 miSW
Forts and castles, Garden, Park
The Alnwick Garden, Alnwick
129 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Northumberland, The Alnwick Garden offers a blend of modern garden design, adventure, and tranquility. A contemporary pleasure garden situated adjacent to Alnwick Castle in the historic market town of Alnwick, it is one of the UK's most exciting...
5.2 miSW
Museum, History museum, Gothic Revival architecture
Bailiffgate Museum, Alnwick
134 min walk • The Bailiffgate Museum is a small independent museum in Alnwick, Northumberland, England, dedicated to the history of Alnwick and North Northumberland. It is staffed by trustees and volunteers.
5.1 miSW
Shopping, Bookshop
Barter Books, Alnwick
132 min walk • Barter Books is a second-hand bookshop in the historic English market town of Alnwick, Northumberland, owned and run by Stuart and Mary Manley. It has over 350,000 visitors a year, 40% of whom are from outside the area, and is one of the largest second-hand bookshops in Europe.
4.7 miS
Nightlife, Restaurant
Schooner Hotel, Alnmouth
120 min walk • The Schooner Hotel & Bar is a Grade II listed 17th century coaching inn and hotel located at 8 Northumberland Street in the coastal village of Alnmouth, Northumberland, England. The hotel lies on the main High Street and is recognizable by its whitewashed walls and black painted shutters.
5.2 miSW
City gate
Bondgate Tower, Alnwick
133 min walk • Bondgate Tower also known as the Hotspur Tower or the Hotspur Gateway in reference to Sir Henry Percy commonly known as Harry Hotspur son of the 1st Earl of Northumberland and father of the 2nd Earl of Northumberland.
5.3 miSW
Church
St Michael's Church, Alnwick
135 min walk • St Michael's Church is an Anglican place of worship situated on Bailiffgate in the town of Alnwick in Northumberland, England. The current building dates from the 15th century but a 12th-century Norman chapel stood on the site prior to this; reports of an earlier 8th-century Saxon chapel are unconfirmed.
5.2 miSW
Concerts and shows, Theater
Alnwick Playhouse, Alnwick
132 min walk • The Alnwick Playhouse is an arts centre, theatre and cinema in the town of Alnwick in Northumberland, England. It is also the headquarters of the NTC Touring Theatre Company. The building itself consists of many different parts. There is the main stage and an auditorium that sits over 200 people.
5.5 miSW
Monastery
Alnwick Abbey
140 min walk • Alnwick Abbey was founded as a Premonstratensian monastery in 1147 by Eustace fitz John near Alnwick, England, as a daughter house of Newhouse Abbey in Lincolnshire. It was dissolved in 1535, refounded in 1536 and finally suppressed in 1539. The Alnwick Abbey site is located just within Hulne Park, on the bank of the River Aln.
4.6 miS
Church, Gothic Revival architecture
St John the Baptist Parish Church, Alnmouth
118 min walk • St John the Baptist Parish Church is an Anglican place of worship situated in the village of Alnmouth in Northumberland, England. It is the parish church for the Alnmouth area and is within the Diocese of Newcastle. The church is a Grade II listed building.