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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

PEEBLES - SCOTTISH BORDERS

Peebles

in the county of Borders

Camber Sands

Camber

a Seaside Town in the county of East Sussex

The Anglican Parish Church at Ripley, Derbyshire.

Ripley

in the county of Derbyshire

Pictures of Orford

a Seaside Town in the county of Suffolk

About Orford

Orford lies on the beautiful Suffolk Heritage coast, it is mostly known for its internally important nature reserve which occupies the landscape between the River Alde and the sea - this is the largest vegetated shingle spit in Europe, it is renowned for its flora and fauna.

The town has associations with Benjamin Britten, Orford Church was the setting for some of the great composer's works, these include Noye's Fludde in 1958, and at a later date his beautiful Curlew River. Other aspects of the town's 20th century history include the use of the spit for radar experiments during the 1930's.

Orford's early history began at the time of the Doomsday Book when it was naught but a small hamlet, but in less than a century it had become a busy port with a huge defensive castle, built by Henry II. Orford Castle has a remarkable, well documented "Royal" history and is unique in shape, it is the earliest castle for which the entire building documentation still exists, this is kept in the Public Records Office in London. All that is left of the castle is its magnificent keep, which is perfectly preserved and one of the best of its kind in the country.

Visitors to the castle will enjoy exploring the network of passageways, large "airy" rooms, and love the views of the village from the battlements. The castle is in the care of English Heritage, it is open to the public with ample material being available illustrating the life of the castle since its inception so very long ago.

Apart from its historic castle, Orford has an impressive 12th century church which is well worth spending time in. The village spreads out from a wide market place surrounded by attractive properties in a rich array of architectural styles. Orford Quay offers a lively scene where visitors can enjoy plenty of boats and small river-craft.

Orford retains a tranquil atmosphere, it is ideal for people wishing for a relaxing time just messing around in boats, crabbing, walking, bird-watching, or just to sit, soak up the peaceful charm of the place whilst enjoying wonderful views.

A ferry takes you to Orford Ness and to Havergate Island, music lovers can enjoy concerts in the local church or at the nearby Snape Malting's and Aldeburgh, both are just a short drive away.

The area offers an excellent choice of accommodation, plenty of old inns, atmospheric restaurants and cafe's for visitors wishing to make a longer stay to experience the beauty of the Suffolk Heritage Coast and all that Orford has to offer.

Recommended towns & villages near Orford

Aldeburgh, The Town Steps, Suffolk - October 2005

Aldeburgh (115 Pictures) a Seaside Town in the county of Suffolk

(5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction NE of Orford)

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...

Village Sign

Snape (26 Pictures) a Seaside Town in the county of Suffolk

(5.4 miles, 8.6 km, direction N of Orford)

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...

Village sign

Thorpeness (28 Pictures) in the county of Suffolk

(7.1 miles, 11.5 km, direction NE of Orford)

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...

Wellington Road Mural

Harwich (92 Pictures) in the county of Essex

(15.9 miles, 25.5 km, direction SW of Orford)

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...

Church and churchyard, Walberswick, Suffolk

Walberswick (39 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Suffolk

(16.3 miles, 26.3 km, direction N of Orford)

A pretty seaside village along the Suffolk coast, sat along the mouth of the river Blyth, with the neighbouring town of Southwold 1 mile to the North. Within Walberswick there is.....

All towns & villages in Suffolk
Complete A to Z of towns & villages in England

Nearby attractions..

Transport Arrives!

Orford Ness Nature Reserve (9 Pictures)

(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)

Visitors to this lovely town wishing to see the Nature Reserve have to catch a ferry from Orford Quay. The reserve is the.....

Orford Castle, Suffolk

Orford Castle (5 Pictures)

(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)

Orford Castle stands guard over the coast from a high vantage position above the River Alde. It was built by Henry II in the.....

The Moot Hall, Aldeburgh Museum, Aldeburgh, Suffolk.

The Moot Hall Museum (1 Pictures)

(5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction NE)

..

Sutton Hoo Exhibition

Sutton Hoo (25 Pictures)

(8.7 miles, 13.9 km, direction W)

Sutton Hoo can be found amongst the marshy creeks and reedy rivers of Suffolk. It is perhaps most famous as the setting of one.....

Leiston Abbey

Leiston Abbey (14 Pictures)

(9.3 miles, 14.9 km, direction N)

These are the evocative remains of an abbey founded when the order of the land was God first, followed by King and country. The.....

Framlingham Castle

Framlingham Castle (10 Pictures)

(12.2 miles, 19.7 km, direction NW)

On reaching the curve of Market Hill a quaint, colourful sign proclaims to the visitor that you have arrived in the pretty market.....

A picture of Landguard Fort, Felixstowe

Landguard Fort, Felixstowe (15 Pictures)

(13.8 miles, 22.3 km, direction SW)

Landguard Fort lies off the southern end of Felixstowe. The first fort was built here by Henry VIII in the 1540's to guard the.....


All attractions in Orford
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