Orford Ness is an isolated stretch of Suffolk coastline, home to an internationally-renowned nature reserve and site of secret Cold War military testing.
Orford Ness boasts the largest shingle spit in all of Europe and is home to rare species of plants and animals, including breeding pairs of little terns as well as a huge gull population. There are areas of reedbeds and lagoons, mudflats and saltmarsh, in addition to the huge coastal shingle.
Orford Lighthouse
The most obviously visible symbol of Orford Ness is the red and white striped lighthouse, built by Lord Braybrooke in 1792 as part of a scheme to aid navigation through a dangerous area of sandbanks and shingle.
The original lights were destroyed in a storm in 1887, but the lighthouse continued in operation into the 20th century. During both World Wars, it was used as an observation post and also as an aid to navigation by both Allied and German aeroplanes.
The paraffin powered light was converted to electricity in 1959, and the light was fully automated in 1965. The lighthouse is not generally open to the public except on special open days.
Military defences have been a part of the Orford Ness landscape since the 17th century. During the Napoleonic Wars, a prominent Martello Tower was erected here - the most northerly of a cordon of similar towers along the east coast.
During the Cold War Orford Ness was home to a joint US/UK secret project to create a radar listening post to detect missile and satellite launches, track aircraft, and act as a testing ground for secret intelligence research and development. The project was closed down in the mid-1970s, but the large steel building that housed the project is still there, now used by the BBC.
Visiting
Access to the Ness is by ferry from Orford Quay, for which a fee is payable, even for National Trust members. Access around Orford Ness is on foot, except for monthly trailer bus days - see details on the National Trust website.
Regular guided tours are available covering natural history and military history, and there are over five miles of paths for visitors to enjoy.
About Orford Ness National Nature Reserve
Address: Quay Office, Orford Quay, Woodbridge, Suffolk, England, IP12 2NU
Attraction Type: Countryside
Location: The only access to the Ness is by the National Trust ferry Octavia, from Orford Quay. Paid parking on Quay Street.
Website: Orford Ness National Nature Reserve
Email: orfordness@nationaltrust.org.uk
National Trust
Location map
OS: TM423496
Photo Credit: Phil Champion, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence
HERITAGE
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NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest
Orford, St Bartholomew's Church - 0.2 miles (Historic Church) 
Orford Castle - 0.2 miles (Castle)
Sudbourne, All Saints Church - 1.4 miles (Historic Church) 
Butley, St John the Baptist Church - 3.1 miles (Historic Church)
Iken, St Botolph's Church - 4.3 miles (Historic Church)
Tunstall, St Michael's Church - 5.1 miles (Historic Church)
Aldeburgh, St Peter and St Paul's Church - 5.2 miles (Historic Church)
Aldeburgh Moot Hall Museum - 5.2 miles (Historic Building)
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