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Museum Details
Orford Castle (English Heritage)
Image: An exterior view of Orford Castle
Orford
Woodbridge
IP12 2ND
Suffolk
England
Contact details
General information (Tel)
:
01394 450472
Website
:
www.english-heritage.org.uk/filestore/visitsevents/asp/visits/visit_frameset.asp?Property_Id=38
Discounts
English Heritage
Description
The unique polygonal towerkeep of Orford Castle stands beside the pretty town and former port which Henry II also developed here in the 1160s. His aim was to counterbalance the power of turbulent East Anglian barons like Hugh Bigod of Framlingham, and to guard the coast against foreign mercenaries called to their aid.
An 18-sided drum with three square turrets, and a forebuilding reinforcing its entrance, the keep was built to a highly innovative design. Both exterior and interior survive almost intact, allowing visitors to explore the basement with its vital well, and the lower and upper halls - the latter the principal room of the castle. Round these polygonal rooms is a maze of passages, leading to the chapel, kitchen and other chambers in the turrets. From the roof there are magnificent views seaward to Orford Ness.
Available resources
Castle Life Discovery Visit
; Handling collection or artefacts; Storytelling session (Resource)
My Castle My Home Discovery Visit
; Guided tour (Resource); Workshop or activity session (Resource)
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Information published here was believed to be correct at the time it was prepared. Welsh language pages developed with CYMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.