Orford, Suffolk

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Orford
Orford shown within Suffolk
Population	690 (2001 Census)
OS grid reference	TM422499
District	Suffolk Coastal
Shire county	Suffolk
Region	East
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	WOODBRIDGE
Postcode district	IP12
Dialling code	01394
Police	Suffolk
Fire	Suffolk
Ambulance	East of England
European Parliament	East of England
UK Parliament	Suffolk Coastal
List of places: UK • England • Suffolk

Coordinates: 52°05′40″N 1°32′13″E / 52.0943, 1.537

Orford is a small town in Suffolk, England, within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB.

Like many Suffolk coastal towns it was of some importance as a port and fishing village in the Middle Ages. It still has a fine mediaeval castle, built to dominate the River Ore.

The main geographical feature is Orford Ness, a long, wide spit at the mouth of the Ore. Orford Ness has variously been used as an airstrip testing facility and nature sanctuary over the years. It is reached by ferry from Orford's quay.

In the early 1970s Orford Ness was the site of a very powerful radar station as part of the Cold War defences against low flying attacking aircraft.

Orford now mainly exists on tourism and as a weekend and holiday home. It has grown significantly in the last 20 years with an increasing new build to accommodate second home-owners; its population greatly increases during the summer months due to its flourishing sailing club. As well as the Castle, Orford's attractions include river cruises, a number of pubs and hotels, a traditional post office which sells fresh bread, a smokehouse, and two restaurants; the Butley-Orford Oysterage and the Crown and Castle Hotel, owned by food writer Ruth Watson.