Please login or click here to join.
Forgot Password? Click Here to reset pasword
Orford Castle stands guard over the coast from a high vantage position above the River Alde. It was built by Henry II in the 12th-century to assert Royal supremacy over the county and guard Orford Harbour.
Today, all that if left of this once mighty fortress is the unique 90 foot high, 21 sided magnificent tower which has a circular room on each floor and incorporates three buttress-turrets. There are interesting circular stone stairways leading up through the building, the rest of which has long since collapsed.
The castle is steeped in lurid tales of mystery and legend. One interesting legend surrounding the castle tells of a merman caught by local fishermen shortly after the castle was built. He was held captive, beaten and tortured, however, he later managed to escaped from his captors, slipped into the sea and was never seen again.
When King John died, the French contender to the Crown, Prince Louis took the castle. During the reign of Henry III the castle changed hands frequently, but was mostly maintained by the Crown. In the 14th-century when its importance had declined the castle was given to Robert of Ufford for perpetuity. From that time onwards the castle led a peaceful existence and took no further part in any military action.
The ruins of Orford Castle continue to dominate this charming little town, its site is singularly magnificent and gives visitors good views of the town, surrounding countryside, and coast. It is another of Suffolk's many treasures which is well worth seeing.
a Seaside Town in the county of Suffolk
(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)Orford retains a tranquil atmosphere, it is ideal for people wishing for a relaxing time just messing around in boats, crabbing, walking, bird-watching, or just to sit, soak up the peaceful charm of the place whilst enjoying wonderful views...
a Seaside Town in the county of Suffolk
(5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction N)Snape is not simply unique for its beautiful location at the head of the River Alde, it is also unique as a village with an international reputation for music...
a Seaside Town in the county of Suffolk
(5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction NE)Aldeburgh is a seaside retreat with boundless charm. The history of the resort quite possibly reaches back to Saxon times, certainly during the Middle Ages it was a prosperous port and later it became known as a fishing centre...
in the county of Suffolk
(7.3 miles, 11.7 km, direction NE)Thorpeness's quaint village sign gives the visitor some hint of the surprises to come, it depicts the House in the Clouds and Windmill, for which the village is most noted...
in the county of Essex
(15.6 miles, 25.1 km, direction SW)The great seafarers of centuries have left the shores of England, these include Raleigh, Drake, Frobisher and Admiral Lord Nelson, all of whom brought glory for England...
All towns in Suffolk
Visitors to this lovely town wishing to see the Nature Reserve have to catch a ferry from Orford Quay. The reserve is the.....
..
Sutton Hoo can be found amongst the marshy creeks and reedy rivers of Suffolk. It is perhaps most famous as the setting of one.....
These are the evocative remains of an abbey founded when the order of the land was God first, followed by King and country. The.....
On reaching the curve of Market Hill a quaint, colourful sign proclaims to the visitor that you have arrived in the pretty market.....
Follow PicturesOfEngland.com on social media and help share the beauty of England....
