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Orford Ness National Nature Reserve
Internationally important coastal nature reserve, with a fascinating 20th-century military history
Quay Street, Orford, Suffolk, IP12 2NU
Important notice
Orford Ness has now closed for the 2024 season and will reopen for the 2025 season on 5 April 2025. Open days for 2025 can be found in the calendar below but tickets are only released to allow two week advance booking.
Opening times for 21 December 2024
Asset Opening time Nature reserve Closed MTWTFSS2526272829301234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303112345OpenPartially openClosedAssistance dogs only
Due to ground nesting birds only Assistance dogs are allowed
Guided tour
Regular guided tours covering different aspects of the site are available. Check our events section for details of booking.
Bookshop
Our second hand bookshop in Basecamp supports our work on Orford Ness.
Toilet
Toilets are available on the Red Route opposite the Ranger Office and an accessible toilet is available within the Ranger Office.
Car park
Riverside Car Park (not National Trust) on Quay Street, 150 yards from Orford Quay. Pay and display - charge even for National Trust Members.
Access via ferry and steep, sometimes slippery, steps. Accessible toilet available, assistance dogs only.
Accessible route and/or map
Once on Orford Ness the main routes are flat.
Powered mobility vehicle available
Two manual wheelchairs, a six seater electric vehicle (driven by staff or volunteers) and a self-drive Tramper mobility scooter. Available on a first come, first served basis. Free to use but donations welcome towards their upkeep. Advanced booking essential, please call 01394 450900.
Accessible toilet
Toilets are available on the Red Route opposite the Ranger Office and an accessible toilet is available within the Ranger Office.
Seating available
There are a number of benches on site and seating in some of our buildings.
Drop-off point
While there is no parking on Orford Quay itself, visitors can be dropped off Quayside before the car returns to the main Riverside car park.
Steps/uneven terrain
Crossing to Orford Ness involves a river crossing on our ferry. To board the ferry you will need to negotiate a number of steps which may be slippery due to the tide.
Induction loop
Our Quay Office has an induction loop installed and there is a portable induction loop available on request for other buildings.
Wheelchairs available
Two manual wheelchairs, a six seater electric vehicle (driven by staff or volunteers) and a self-drive Tramper mobility scooter. Available on a first come, first served basis. Free to use but donations welcome towards their upkeep. Advanced booking essential, please call 01394 450900.
Level access/terrain
Apart from the river crossing, which requires negotiating steps, the majority of Orford Ness is level access. Two buildings have upper floors with stair access only but other buildings are ground level only.
By road
Orford 10 miles east of A12 (B1094/B1095), 12 miles north-east of Woodbridge (B1152/B1084)
Parking: Riverside Car Park (not National Trust) on Quay Street, 150 yards from Orford Quay. Pay and display. Payment machines take cards and cash.
Sat Nav: Use IP12 2NU
On foot
Suffolk Coast Path and Sandlings Walk pass nearby on mainland. Please note the only access to Orford Ness is via the National Trust ferry from Orford Quay, there is no pedestrian access allowed from Slaughden.
By train
The nearest station is Wickham Market (8 miles), but this is a rural stop with very limited onward connection. Melton or Woodbridge stations will provide more access to taxi services, though these should be booked in advance.
By bus
There are no regular bus services to Orford within our opening times. For information on travel options visit https://www.suffolkonboard.com
By bicycle
Regional Route 41, 1 mile (1.6km). No cycling onsite. Cycle parking in Quay Street car park (not NT)
By ferry
Only access to Ness via National Trust ferry Octavia. See opening arrangements
Planning your visit
Article
Booking your visit to Orford Ness
Orford Ness will re-open in April 2025. This page explains more about how you can book a place and what to expect on your visit.
Events at Orford Ness
See what events we have coming up at Orford Ness, from Island of Secrets walking tours to stargazing and astrophotography, each offering a chance to get to know this intriguing site better.
Article
Group visits to Orford Ness
Discover the ways you can explore Orford Ness National Nature Reserve as a group, from guided walking tours to special interest visits, plus information about how to book.
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Accessibility at Orford Ness
We're passionate about making Orford Ness accessible to all needs and disabilities.
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Highlights
National Trust Ferry Octavia
Start your visit on board as we ferry you across the River Ore via our ferry Octavia. Keep an eye out for wildlife including occasional harbour porpoises and seals. Don't forget to book your ticket in advance, space is limited.
National Nature Reserve
Three walking trails (two open only seasonally) take you through coastal grazing marshes and out to the vegetated shingle. Home to numerous wetland and wading birds, Chinese water deer and hares.
Atomic Weapons Research Establishment Site
One of the few sites in the UK with purpose-built facilities for the testing of components of nuclear weapons. Comprising of six 'labs', these buildings now form impressive backdrops on the shingle. Only Lab 1 is open to the public, the remainder have exterior access only on guided tours.
Vegetated shingle
International rare and delicate landscape, consisting of shingle ridges and valleys, deposited over centuries by the sea. 20% of Europe's vegetated shingle is found on Orford Ness. Incredibly fragile, one single misplaced footstep can destroy structures that have taken centuries to form.
Airfield Marshes
What was once a former World War One and World War Two Airfield, is now a rich grazing marsh, providing a home for birds and deer.
Radar Receiver Building
First World War building, adapted in the 1930s, for early work on Radar is now home to the Island of Secrets exhibition. The exhibition tells the story of 80 years of top secret research on 'the island'.
Bomb Ballistics Building
Built in 1933 as the centre of an experimental bombing range. The roof now provides a panoramic viewing platform giving stunning views across the entire site.
Black Beacon
An unusual building, erected in 1928 to house an experimental rotating-loop navigation beacon. Now home to exhibition and views across the vegetated shingle.
Spotlight events
Article
Family activities at Orford Ness
Bring the whole family along for an adventure on Suffolk's secret coast.
Island of Secrets Walks
Join our tour guide on a two-hour guided walk into the heart of the AWRE area, including the iconic 'Pagodas' and learn all about the history of these fascinating buildings.
Article
Make It Count at Orford Ness
Find out all about Make It Count, a new art exhibition by students and researchers from University of Suffolk.
Things to see and do
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Explore Orford Ness National Nature Reserve
Orford Ness has created over 10 miles of coastline and over 2,000 acres of land. Visit the rich and varied habitats on this internationally significant nature reserve.
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Structures and buildings at Orford Ness
Find out what you'll discover inside the many fascinating military buildings you'll see as you walk through Orford Ness.
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Our work at Orford Ness
From honouring the people who worked here to managing the landscape, discover what goes on behind the scenes to preserve Orford Ness for visitors and wildlife alike.
Top trails
Trail Routes
Detailed trails will be coming to the website very soon. Until then, please speak to the team when you visit, who'll be able to share the routes available.
Upcoming events
Event
Walk with Us
Whether you are looking to get active, enjoy being out and about in nature or meet new friends, our free guided trails are for you.
About Orford Ness National Nature Reserve
Take a short boat trip to this wild and remote shingle spit, the largest in Europe.
Follow walking trails through a stunning landscape and a history that will both delight and intrigue.
Discover an internationally important nature reserve littered with debris and unusual, often forbidding, buildings from a sometimes disturbing past.
Please note: Access is only via the National Trust ferry Octavia from Orford Ness. There is no access on foot or by vehicle via Slaughden. There is a charge for ferry to Orford Ness (including members). Tickets are limited and must be booked in advance. No bikes or dogs (assistance dogs welcome) allowed.
History
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History of Orford Ness
From a military testing site to an internationally significant nature reserve, discover the history of Orford Ness from the 16th century to the present day.
Our work
Press release
First grey seal pup of 2024 is born at Orford Ness
The first grey seal pup of this winter has been born at Orford Ness in Suffolk, marking the fourth consecutive year of successful breeding at the coastal site.
News
Rare spider species is recorded at Orford Ness
A rare species of jumping spider has been identified at Orford Ness in Suffolk.
Press release
Suffolk’s first breeding colony of grey seals recorded at Orford Ness
National Trust rangers at Orford Ness National Nature Reserve in Suffolk are celebrating the birth of over 130 grey seal pups this winter; the third, consecutive year of successful breeding at the coastal site, which is now thought to be home to Suffolk’s first grey seal colony.
Article
Our work at Orford Ness
From honouring the people who worked here to managing the landscape, discover what goes on behind the scenes to preserve Orford Ness for visitors and wildlife alike.
Support us
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Volunteer opportunities at Orford Ness
If you have some time to spare and want to help us to keep Orford Ness safe and secure for visitors and wildlife, why not join us as a volunteer? Find out how you can join the team.