Pictures of Orford Castle

a Castle in the town of Orford, in the county of Suffolk

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About Orford Castle

Orford Castle stands guard over the coast from a high vantage position above the River Alde. It was built by Henry II in the 12th-century to assert Royal supremacy over the county and guard Orford Harbour.

Today, all that if left of this once mighty fortress is the unique 90 foot high, 21 sided magnificent tower which has a circular room on each floor and incorporates three buttress-turrets. There are interesting circular stone stairways leading up through the building, the rest of which has long since collapsed.

The castle is steeped in lurid tales of mystery and legend. One interesting legend surrounding the castle tells of a merman caught by local fishermen shortly after the castle was built. He was held captive, beaten and tortured, however, he later managed to escaped from his captors, slipped into the sea and was never seen again.

When King John died, the French contender to the Crown, Prince Louis took the castle. During the reign of Henry III the castle changed hands frequently, but was mostly maintained by the Crown. In the 14th-century when its importance had declined the castle was given to Robert of Ufford for perpetuity. From that time onwards the castle led a peaceful existence and took no further part in any military action.

The ruins of Orford Castle continue to dominate this charming little town, its site is singularly magnificent and gives visitors good views of the town, surrounding countryside, and coast. It is another of Suffolk's many treasures which is well worth seeing.

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Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Orford Castle.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Orford Castle

Orford Ness Nature Reserve	(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)	Pictures
The Moot Hall Museum	(5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Sutton Hoo	(8.2 miles, 13.3 km, direction W)	Pictures
Leiston Abbey	(9.3 miles, 14.9 km, direction N)	Pictures
Easton Farm Park Country Park	(10.0 miles, 16.1 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Minsmere Nature Reserve	(11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction N)	Pictures
Framlingham Castle	(11.9 miles, 19.2 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Westleton Heath Nature Reserve	(12.4 miles, 20.0 km, direction N)	Pictures
Landguard Fort, Felixstowe	(13.6 miles, 21.9 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich	(15.8 miles, 25.5 km, direction W)	Pictures

All attractions in Suffolk
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Orford Castle

Snape, in the county of Suffolk (5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction N)
Snape is not simply unique for its beautiful location at the head of the River Alde, it is also unique as a village with an international reputation for music.
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Aldeburgh, in the county of Suffolk (5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction NE)
Aldeburgh is a seaside retreat with boundless charm. The history of the resort quite possibly reaches back to Saxon times, certainly during the Middle Ages it was a prosperous port and later it became known as a fishing centre.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Sutton, in the county of Suffolk (7.2 miles, 11.5 km, direction W)
Sutton is an old village overlooking the waters of the River Debden as it makes its way towards the sea.
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Thorpeness, in the county of Suffolk (7.3 miles, 11.7 km, direction NE)
Thorpeness's quaint village sign gives the visitor some hint of the surprises to come, it depicts the House in the Clouds and Windmill, for which the village is most noted.
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Wickham Market, a Historic Market Town in the county of Suffolk (8.0 miles, 12.8 km, direction NW)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Sizewell, in the county of Suffolk (8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction NE)
In latter day history Sizewell is perhaps best known for the huge nuclear power stations built here in the 1960's.
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Woodbridge, in the county of Suffolk (9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction W)
Many of the houses that surround the old Market square round which this Port has grown are exceedingly attractive and of major historical interest.
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Yoxford, in the county of Suffolk (11.9 miles, 19.2 km, direction N)
Delightfully situated close to the meandering River Yox, this lovely village was once an important stagepost on the road between London and Yarnmouth.
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Harwich, in the county of Essex (15.6 miles, 25.1 km, direction SW)
The great seafarers of centuries have left the shores of England, these include Raleigh, Drake, Frobisher and Admiral Lord Nelson, all of whom brought glory for England.
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Dovercourt, in the county of Essex (15.8 miles, 25.4 km, direction SW)
These days Dovercourt is part of Harwich, it operates as a coastal resort town with a pleasant sandy beach backed by a sea wall. The beach has been awarded the E.U. Blue Flag indicating its cleanliness and safety for families with children.
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All towns in Suffolk
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Wickham Market Station	(6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction NW)
Melton Station	(8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction W)
Norwich Airport	(41.4 miles, 66.6 km, direction N)
London Stansted Airport	(56.6 miles, 91.1 km, direction W)
M11 Junction 9	(57.2 miles, 92.0 km, direction W)
M11 Junction 8	(58.6 miles, 94.2 km, direction W)
Orford Castle to London	(81.5 miles, 131.1 km, direction SW)

Accommodation & Hotels near Orford Castle

Hotel Name
The Brudenell	(5.0 miles, 8.1 km, direction NE)
The White Lion Hotel	(5.5 miles, 8.8 km, direction NE)
The Thorpeness Hotel	(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction NE)
Best Western Ufford Park Hotel	(7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction W)
The Bull Hotel & Restaurant	(8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction W)
The Hotel Elizabeth Orwell	(11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction SW)
The Crown Hotel	(11.7 miles, 18.9 km, direction NW)
The Waverley Hotel	(11.8 miles, 19.0 km, direction SW)
The Brook Hotel	(11.9 miles, 19.1 km, direction SW)
The Westleton Crown	(12.1 miles, 19.5 km, direction N)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts