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Orford Castle is a Norman keep built by Henry II between 1165 and 1173, standing as one of the finest examples of 12th-century military architecture in England. The castle comprises a distinctive polygonal or cylindrical tower with projecting turrets, rising substantially above its surrounding earthworks and designed to serve as both stronghold and symbol of royal authority in the Suffolk coastal region. The site also retains evidence of later quarrying activities and the remains of a 20th-century military look-out post, reflecting its continued strategic significance through the centuries. The keep's robust stone construction and architectural innovations mark it as an important monument of the Norman period and a key example of castle design during the reign of Henry II.
Orford Castle with adjoining quarry and remains of 20th century look-out post is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1014860. View the official record →
Orford Castle is a Norman keep built by Henry II between 1165 and 1173, standing as one of the finest examples of 12th-century military architecture in England. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1014860.
Orford Castle with adjoining quarry and remains of 20th century look-out post is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1014860.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Orford Ness: the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment test buildings and associated structures (2.4 km), Bowl barrow in Tunstall Forest, 900m west of Blacklands Farm (3.8 km), Bowl barrow in Tunstall Forest, 1300m south of Heath Cottages (4.8 km).
Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in Britain — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.
Research the area around Orford Castle with adjoining quarry and remains of 20th century look-out post