Orford Ness
| Orford Ness | |
|---|---|
| Near Orford, Suffolk | |
Looking towards Orford Ness from Orford castle | |
| Site information | |
| Type | National Nature Reserve, Site of Special Scientific Interest, internationally important site for nature conservation, former military test site |
| Operator | Ministry of Defence, Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty |
| Status | Inactive |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 52°04′53″N 01°33′31″E / 52.08139°N 1.55861°E |
| Site history | |
| In use | 1913 – early 1983 |
Orford Ness is a cuspate foreland shingle spit on the Suffolk coast in Great Britain, linked to the mainland at Aldeburgh and stretching along the coast to Orford and down to North Weir Point, opposite Shingle Street. It is divided from the mainland by the River Alde, and was formed by longshore drift along the coast. The material of the spit comes from places further north, such as Dunwich. Near the middle point of its length, at the foreland point or 'Ness', once stood Orfordness Lighthouse, demolished in summer 2020 owing to the encroaching sea. In the name of the lighthouse (and the radio transmitting station – see below), 'Orfordness' is written as one word.