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Other locations in this region

  1. Minsmere RSPB reserve
  2. Southwold
  3. Wolves Wood

Highest user-rated facilities

  1. Minsmere RSPB reserve
  2. Orford Ness
  3. Southwold

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Orford Ness

Average reviews rating is 4

(Based on 1 review)

Ranked 2 of 3 facilties in ranked in Suffolk

Wow factor

rating is 4

Accessibility

rating is 4

Photo potential

rating is 5

Review

Orford Ness

Directions: From Orford there is a ferry that takes you across to the spit.
Accessibility: Some steep steps that get slippery after high tide. Some of the buildings have steps in the entrance and some narrow doorways.
Costs: Car parking is pay and display. National Trust members (ferry only): £3.70, child £1.85. Non-members (ferry & admission): £6.50, child £3.25. Under 3s free.
Best time to visit: Summer is the best time to visit because of the many walks being outside, during the winter the shingle beach can become slippery.
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Venue information

The largest vegetated shingle spit in Europe, the Reserve contains a variety of habitats including shingle, salt marsh, mudflat, brackish lagoons and grazing marsh. It provides an important location for breeding and passage birds as well as for the coastal shingle flora and wildlife, including a large number of nationally rare species. The Ness was a secret military test site from 1913 until the mid-1980s, the buildings used still remain and some are open to the public. Along with the military buildings there is a lighthouse on the spit, tours are available to view the lighthouse please see http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-orfordness.htm for more details. Visitors follow a 51⁄2m route, which can be walked in total or in part (the full walk involves walking on shingle).


Venue verdict: A great place to get shots of old military buildings. The beach and lighthouse also make great photo opportunities.

Ratings (out of five): 4

Users' Overall Rating rating is 4(1 review)

  • Great place for a full day out

    Chris Ward

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    User's Overall Rating rating is 4

    Show Details

    Wow factorrating is 4
    Accessibilityrating is 4
    Photo potentialrating is 5

    A day at Orford Ness will take some planning as there is nothing but old buildings on the spit. Quite a bit of distance between buildings, but you will be well rewarded for your efforts. There is a lighthouse, WW 1 and 11 buildings, (component testing for nucleur bombs!) and weird buildings that were shaped to test the impact of bombs hitting them, i will be returning.

    (Written by: cjward10)

    12 June 2010 18:59

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