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Orford Ness Tours

Practical Photography

25 August 2009 15:37

The National Trust is offering exclusive guided photo tours of one of the UK’s most secret and atmospheric locations – the ex-MoD installation at Orford Ness on the Suffolk coast. If you’ve been inspired by Practical Photography’s recent odyssey into dereliction (September 2009 issue) you’ll love Orford Ness as the site is an urban explorer’s dream.

Abandoned since the 1980s, the Ness has plenty of broken concrete, rusting metal and peeling paint to photograph, but most attractive to photographers are the strange and alien looking pagodas which dominate the bleak horizon. These were once used by the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment during the Cold War for the environmental testing of the UK’s nuclear weapons, so they have a real historical resonance to match their striking shapes.

The AWRE’s testing involved checking the housings and trigger mechanisms of the bombs to make sure they would not detonate under excessive vibration, impact or extreme changes in temperature. It’s reported that there was never any nuclear material on the site so you can hang around without fear of growing gills, but of far more danger to visitors are the crumbling building themselves, so some parts are sadly still off limits.

However, the big draw for this dedicated photo tour is that you get to visit parts of the site that are strictly prohibited to regular visitors of the Ness. Throughout the day you’ll be accompanied by National Trust wardens from the site and a professional photographer who has been photographing the coastal property for many years. Their combined experience and knowledge will help you get the most out of the day, by offering historic knowledge of the installation along with creative and technical advice.

These exclusive photographic tours will take place on Saturday 3 and 17 October, 2009 from 9am to 5pm, and cost £60 for the whole day (£50 for National Trust members). To find out more or to book your place, just call 01394 450900, but if you’re interested we’d advise getting in touch as soon as possible as places are limited. However, if the tours are a success, there will hopefully be more next year.

If you’re going, make sure you dress appropriately – warm and waterproof clothes are advisable as the shingle spit which forms the Ness is very exposed – and you’ll be on your feet all day, so some comfy walking boots will make the trekking a lot more comfortable. You’ll also need to take a packed lunch and some water.

We’d certainly recommend the day, even if you’ve been on a limited tour of the Ness before. It’s a mesmerising place and a truly unforgettable photographic experience.

For more details on Orford Ness and the photo tours, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/orfordness

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