Attractions

Orford is a pretty village on the river Ore known today to sailors and lovers of smoked salmon. It was once a borough sending two members to Parliament, a busy port and a royal stronghold.  The keep of Henry II’s castle is still standing  and is in the care of English Heritage.

Orford Castle  c 1810

Orford Museum Opening

On 22 April 2005, after six years without premises, Orford Museum re-opened in Orford Castle.  English Heritage, the guardians of Orford Castle, have granted a licence for the museum to house its collection within the upper hall. Owing to lack of space, the museum is limited in how much of the collection can be displayed, but funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council ,The New Orford Town Trust and the Scarfe Charitable Trust has enabled the museum trustees to purchase high quality state-of-the-art display cases in which to exhibit some of the finest items in the collection. A significant number of artefacts have been donated or lent since the museum reopened. The display includes items from the Orford Borough Regalia which it has not formerly been possible to exhibit, the Constable's coat, the oyster legends and the punchbowl case. Other important items relating to the former borough and the surrounding area are displayed for the first time, including rare coins, brooches and pottery dating from Roman and Anglo-Saxon times. The display is supplemented by six graphics panels featuring maps, charters, pictures and photographs illustrating fascinating aspects of the Orford story from earliest times until the present day. Admission to Orford Museum is free but English Heritage admission charges apply to get into Orford Castle.   Opening times for 2010-11  Castle and Museum: April, May, June and September daily 10am - 5pm July and August, daily 10am - 6pm October to March, Thursday to Monday 10am - 4pm   Admission charges: English Heritage members:  FREE Non-members: Adults: £5.30  Concessions: £4.50 Children under 16:  £2.70  per child Family ticket (2 adults, up to 3 children aged between 5 and 15 years): £13.30 Children under five years FREE Orford Museum is staffed and stewarded entirely by volunteers.

However	Steep steps at the castle mean no wheelchair access and problems for people who find stairs difficult. Exhibitions are held also in the parish church, which is accessible to all.
Current Exhibition	Orford in World War II
Open	Daily, all day, in the north aisle of St Bartholomew’s Church, Orford.  May occasionally be closed for short periods because of concerts or other events.
For further information	See Contacts page