Orford, Suffolk
| Orford | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Orford Location within Suffolk | |
| Population | 713 (2011 Census)[1] |
| OS grid reference | TM422499 |
| Civil parish |
|
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WOODBRIDGE |
| Postcode district | IP12 |
| Dialling code | 01394 |
| Police | Suffolk |
| Fire | Suffolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| UK Parliament | |
Orford is a village in Suffolk, England,[2] within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is 9 miles (14 km) east of Woodbridge.[3]
History
Like many Suffolk coastal villages it was of some importance as a port and fishing village in the Middle Ages. It has a mediaeval castle, built to dominate the River Ore and St Bartholomew's Church is Grade I listed. The castle was built as a royal castle built by Henry II in the period 1165-1173 as an assertion of monarchical power in the region. Although the castle became less important after the king's death in 1189, the importance of Orford as a port grew. By 1200 its level of trade exceeded that of nearby Ipswich.[4] Henry III granted Orford its first charter and the town returned a member of parliament in 1298, although it did not function as a constituency throughout the 14th century.
Local amenities
The population of Orford greatly increases during the summer months, partly due to its flourishing sailing club. In common with other Suffolk coastal towns and villages, a substantial number of properties in Orford are holiday or second homes.[5]
As well as the Castle, Orford's attractions include river cruises, three pubs, a renowned traditional bakery, a smokehouse and a restaurant; the Butley-Orford Oysterage.
Orford was rated as among the "20 most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland" by Condé Nast Traveler in 2020 and its castle as "worthy of a storybook".[6]
Governance
Historically Orford was an ancient borough institutionalised as Orford Corporation. It returned two members of parliament for the Orford constituency from 1523 to 1832.[7] Considered a rotten borough, this status was revoked by the Municipal Corporation Act of 1883. Orford is part of the electoral ward of Orford and Tunstall. The population of the ward at the 2011 census was 1,830.[8]
Notable people
- John Kirby was a school master in Orford.
- Charlie Underwood M.B.E - Lighthouse Attendant and Author of "The Great Light" and "My Orford" (1924-1997)
Gallery
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View from the top of Orford Castle
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Houses in the town
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The Kings Head pub
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Orford Quay
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Orford Quay from Orford Ness
See also
References
- ^ "Town population 2011". Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ "New Orford Town Trust". Orford and Gedgrave Parish Council and New Orford Town Trust. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
- ^ AA Book of British Villages. Drive Publications Limited. 1980. p. 306. ISBN 9780340254875.
- ^ "A visitor Guide to Orford in Suffolk". Bed and Breakfast Nationwide. Bed and Breakfast Nationwide. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ "Revealed: The Suffolk communities dominated by second homes". East Anglian Daily Times. 12 March 2016.
- ^ "The 20 most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland". 20 October 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ "Orford". www.historyofparliamentonline.org. History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
- ^ "Orford and Tunstall Ward population 2011". Retrieved 16 September 2015.
External links
- Photographs and more details about Orford
- A Fishy Tale of Orford
- The Wild Man of Orford – An animated version of the 12th Century myth
- "My Orford" by Charlie Underwood M.B.E. – An interesting insight into village life in Orford.