Welcome to the website of Orford & Orford Ness

12th Century Norman castle A true Suffolk treasure, Orford has remained mostly unaffected by the 21st Century. The town grew up around a 12th Century Royal castle, of which the surviving 90 ft high Keep dominates the surroundings of Orford to this day.
Henry II built the castle for coastal defences and against invaders from the sea, underlining the political and commercial importance of the area at that time.

Nowadays the town is not so politically or commercially central. However, it still has its areas of importance and it is still a beautiful and relaxing area to visit.

Come and see:

  • The 12th century Norman castle - now protected by English Heritage.
  • Havergate Island Bird Sanctuary - R.S.P.B. (famed for its Avocets).
  • Orford Ness - the largest vegetated shingle spit in Europe and Military Test Site - protected by the National Trust.
  • Suffolk Underwater Exhibition
Or why not take a river trip? Cruises run for anything from one to four hours with meals available on some trips.

Arial view of Orford

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