# Fossil and Heritage Centre, The Orkney Isles — Opening Hours, Reviews & Visitor Info

> Discover ancient treasures and local history on Burray at this accessible museum showcasing fascinating fossils and island heritage, with wheelchair-friendly facilities throughout.

Source: https://staycation.co.uk/the-orkney-isles/attractions/fossil-and-heritage-centre (Staycation.co.uk). Cite the source page, not this text version.

Museum

# Fossil and Heritage Centre

Burray

[View on Google Maps](https://maps.google.com/?cid=13735412070181545614&g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA)

Photo: [Orkney Fossil & Heritage Centre](https://maps.google.com/maps/contrib/100233261958631555279)

**In short:** Fossil and Heritage Centre is a museum in The Orkney Isles, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 417 Google reviews.

Details checked 1 September 2026 · source: Google Places

## About Fossil and Heritage Centre

Discover ancient treasures and local history on Burray at this accessible museum showcasing fascinating fossils and island heritage, with wheelchair-friendly facilities throughout.

## What's nearby

- The Relic Cafe next door

Distances as the crow flies, via Google

## Good to know

### Parking

- ✓Free car park
- ✓Paid car park
- ✓Free street

### Accessibility

- ✓Accessible parking
- ✓Accessible entrance
- ✓Accessible toilet

### Payment

- ✓Credit cards
- ✓Debit cards
- ✓Contactless

Details via Google — worth confirming with the attraction before you travel, especially for access needs.

## Photos

Photos via Google

## Facilities

🌤️ Outdoor seating 🍰 Dessert menu

## Opening hours

**Monday** 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

**Tuesday** 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

**Wednesday** 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

**Thursday** 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

**Friday** 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

**Saturday** 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

**Sunday** 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Current hours may differ from the usual schedule above (e.g. holidays) — check Google Maps for today's hours.

## What visitors say

[PJ](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/102676810214321648746/reviews) ★★★★★

Worth a visit. Wasn't sure at first glance but more than fossils here. Also found lots of information about scapa flow and the vessels scuttle there. Quite a few folders with archive information and the Orkey Blast news from the 1940s worth flicking carefully through. It is not free but worth an hour's stop especially if it is raining.

· via Google

[Paul Lumsden](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/115046665776563760406/reviews) ★★★★★

Overall it is a 5 and worth the stop for the museum and shop the cafe was good,but I personally had to wait 15 mins for just a coffee!! but otherwise the staff were all pleasant.

· via Google

[Zoë Hudson](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/107267262670041693386/reviews) ★★★★★

An unexpectedly thorough and impressive museum of fossils and local Orkney history. The focus of the fossils is on the Devonian period due to the nature of the geology of Orkney, they made ancient fish interesting! Well displayed and enjoyed using the air raid siren although creepy at the same time. Coffee shop is great too just check the time it closes. Well worth a bus trip out from Kirkwall or on the way back from St Margaret’s Hope. Bus times are erratic so we hitchhiked back to town and had a lovely chat with a friendly local.

· via Google

[Kathy Eis-Heenan](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/101901786442767066807/reviews) ★★★★★

Lovely cafe with tasty food. Very nice gift shop with handmade items. We really enjoyed all of the aspects of the museum, the family story and their collections. Quite nice fossil collection! Well put together and curated. 👍

· via Google

[See all reviews on Google →](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m4!3m3!1s0x489b1c9c3fddf013:0xbe9dfc8126c8a68e!9m1!1b1?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA)

Visitors say this museum offers extensive and well-displayed collections of local fossils and Orkney history, including detailed exhibits on Scapa Flow and the Churchill Barriers. They also highlight the delicious food, including vegan options, and the friendly staff in the attached cafe. Others mention the convenient parking and the well-stocked gift shop with local crafts.

Summary via Google

## At a glance

**Address** Viewforth, Burray, KW17 2SY [Get directions](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=58.8579177%2C-2.9104707)

**Category** Museums & Galleries

**Guest rating** 4.6 / 5 (417 reviews)

**Suitable for** All Ages

**Setting** Indoor

**Good for children** Yes

**Toilets on site** Yes

**Destination** The Orkney Isles

[More attractions in The Orkney Isles](https://staycation.co.uk/the-orkney-isles/attractions)

★ 4.6 (417 reviews)

[Visit official website](https://www.orkneyfossilcentre.co.uk?utm_source=staycation.co.uk&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=attraction)

[01856 731255](tel:01856731255)

(please mention staycation.co.uk when calling)

### Quick Facts

**Destination** The Orkney Isles

**Postcode** KW17 2SY

**Payment** Cards, Contactless

**Plus Code** 9CCVV35Q+5R

[Directions ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/dir//''/data=!4m7!4m6!1m1!4e2!1m2!1m1!1s0x489b1c9c3fddf013:0xbe9dfc8126c8a68e!3e0?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) [More photos on Google ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x489b1c9c3fddf013:0xbe9dfc8126c8a68e!10e5?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) [Write a review ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x489b1c9c3fddf013:0xbe9dfc8126c8a68e!12e1?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA)

### 🏨 Places to stay near The Orkney Isles

Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering on Booking.com, with live prices.

[Check availability →](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101762279-15734754?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fsearchresults.en-gb.html%3Fss%3DThe%2BOrkney%2BIsles%252C%2BUnited%2BKingdom)

Affiliate link

[Hotels →](https://staycation.co.uk/the-orkney-isles/hotels) [Camping →](https://staycation.co.uk/the-orkney-isles/camping)

## Quick answers

### What are the opening hours of Fossil and Heritage Centre?

Fossil and Heritage Centre is open Mon–Sun 10am–5pm (from its Google listing; hours can change on bank holidays, so check before you go).

### Is Fossil and Heritage Centre any good?

Fossil and Heritage Centre is rated 4.6 out of 5 from 417 Google reviews.

### Is Fossil and Heritage Centre good for children?

Yes, Fossil and Heritage Centre is listed as good for children.

### Is Fossil and Heritage Centre indoors or outdoors?

Fossil and Heritage Centre is indoors, so it works on a rainy day.

### What ages is Fossil and Heritage Centre suitable for?

Fossil and Heritage Centre suits all ages.

### Is Fossil and Heritage Centre wheelchair accessible?

Fossil and Heritage Centre has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and an accessible toilet.

### Is there parking at Fossil and Heritage Centre?

Yes: free car park, paid car park and free street parking.

### How do I contact Fossil and Heritage Centre?

Call Fossil and Heritage Centre on +44 1856 731255.

## More near Fossil and Heritage Centre

### Hotels & B&Bs nearby

- [Sands Hotel ★ 4.7 · 1.0 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/burray/hotels/sands-hotel)
- [Murray Arms Hotel ★ 4.7 · 2.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/south-ronaldsay/hotels/murray-arms-hotel)
- [The Foveran ★ 4.8 · 7.6 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/orkney/hotels/the-foveran)
- [The Lynnfield Hotel ★ 4.7 · 7.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/orkney/hotels/the-lynnfield-hotel)

### Holiday cottages nearby

- [Rockworks Chalets - Rockworks Chalets No. 2 ★ 4.7 · 2.7 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/orkney/cottages/rockworks-chalets-rockworks-chalets-no-2-uk7041)
- [The Legion 2.9 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/orkney/cottages/the-legion-uk35132)

### Campsites nearby

- [Pool Farmhouse Orkney Certificated Location ★ 4.2 · 2.1 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/orkney/camping/pool-farmhouse-orkney-certificated-location)
- [Wheems Organic Farm Campsite ★ 4.4 · 3.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/orkney/camping/wheems-organic-farm-campsite)
- [Wheems Organic Farm Bothy and Campsite ★ 4.4 · 3.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/south-ronaldsay/camping/wheems-organic-farm-bothy-and-campsite)
- [Deerness Caravan and Camp Site ★ 4.6 · 8.0 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/mainland/camping/deerness-caravan-and-camp-site)

### Things to do nearby

- [Orkan Adventures ★ 5.0 · 1.1 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/the-orkney-isles/attractions/orkan-adventures)
- [Tomb of the Eagles ★ 4.6 · 8.2 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/the-orkney-isles/attractions/tomb-of-the-eagles)
- [The Orkney Museum ★ 4.6 · 8.7 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/the-orkney-isles/attractions/the-orkney-museum)
- [Pickaquoy Centre ★ 4.6 · 9.0 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/the-orkney-isles/attractions/pickaquoy-centre)