Orford

Orford is a small costal town within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). The town is separated from the sea by a 10-mile-long shingle spit known as Orford Ness, the town being mid way along the spit. The spit is connected to the mainland ay Aldeburgh and the River Alde flows along the coastline between the mainland and the shingle spit. The town is the only means of access to the Orford Ness nature reserve.

By road

The town is 9 miles E of the main A12 road running Ipswich to Lowestoft, connected via quiet B roads.

By train

The town is not on the rail network. The nearest station is

• Wickham Market Train Station

  address: Station Rd, Campsea Ashe IP13 0PT
  On the East Suffolk line (Ipswich to Lowestoft), station managed by and services operated by Greater Anglia.

By ferry

Butley ferry is an ancient foot ferry to the south of Orford. It runs on weekends and bank holidays from end of April to end of September 11AM-4PM. Call ahead to check it is running, or book for parties travelling on week days: 07913 672499

• Adults £2.00
• Children £1.50
• Bicycle £1.50

By bicycle

The town in on Regional Cycle Route 41 which connects to National Cycle Route 51 (Colchester to Oxford) at Felixstowe (and then the National Cycle Network) and to National Cycle Route 1 (Shetland to Dover) at Bruisyard 15 miles NW of the town.

The town is small enough to see on foot.

• Orford Castle

  phone: +44 1394 450472
  address: Castle Hill, IP12 2ND

• Orfordness Lighthouse

• Orford Ness Nature ReserveNo bikes or dogs. Take your own food & drink.

• Walk along the sea walls
• Take the ferry to the bird reserve (depending on weather)
• Visit the church
• Try and spot where the ancient harbour used to be

• River Trips

  phone: +44 7900 230579 (mobile)
  address: Orford Marine Services, Orford Quay, IP12 2NU

• Tunstall Forest

  phone: +44 300 067 4965
  Parking: off of the B1069 Tunstall to Snape rd. Viking Trail 10-mile red grade mountain bike trail. Forrestry harvesting operations take place so check before visiting

• Rendlesham Forest

  phone: +44 300 067 4965
  address: IP12 3NF
  Walking trails, bike paths, picnic area, children's play area

Smoked Fish

• Pinney's of Orford

  phone: +44 1394 459183
  address: The Old Warehouse, Quay St, Orford IP12 2NU

• Orford General Store

  phone: +44 1394 450204
  address: Front St, Orford IP12 2LN

Orford is famous for its smoked fish, and there is a small smoke house selling it.

• Butley Orford Oysterage

  phone: +44 1394 450277
  address: Market Hill, Orford IP12 2LH
  In the town centre. It offers oysters, smoked and fresh fish.

It has a few pubs.

• The Kings Head Inn

  phone: +44 1394 450271
  address: Front St, Orford IP12 2LW
  Dating back to the 16th century, the King's Head Inn adheres to a unique tradition of serving beer straight from the casks of the tap room rather than from a bar

• The Jolly Sailor

  phone: +44 1394 450243
  address: Quay St, Orford IP12 2NU

• The Crown and Castle

  phone: +44 1394 450205
  Modern buzzy restaurant with eclectic menu

• Ashanwell B&B

  phone: +44 1394 450882
  address: 1 Potkins Lane, Orford IP12 2SS

• Woodbridge and Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon archaeological site
• Aldeburgh
• Felixstowe
• Ipswich