Orford on TV
Nestled on the Suffolk Heritage Coast, Orford is such a unique place it often features on TV and in the press. Here are a few of our favourites.
Kate Humble’s Coastal Britain
Episode 6
As Kate explores a shingle shoreline, she discovers a nuclear bunker and takes a canoe ride to appreciate the local wildlife.
Kate visits Aldeburgh and walks the Sailors path to Snape before visiting Orford Ness.
BBC Villages by the Sea
Series 3
Lying off the North Sea is the unassuming Suffolk village of Orford. It’s behind a large shingle spit called Orford Ness. But as archaeologist Ben Robinson unearths, it’s been at the forefront of defending the British Isles for over 800 years.
Today, its imposing castle built by Henry II is being conserved by English Heritage. Curator Dr Shelley Garland explains the process to Ben and how they’ve devised the best way to preserve its crumbling stonework.
The village also has its fair share of myths and legends. One of them involves the local pub, where it is rumoured smugglers used to share out their booty. Ben meets the current landlord, Ian Ballantine, who shares some of the tricks the smugglers would use to avoid getting caught red-handed.
The remoteness of the shingle spit also caught the attention of the Ministry of Defence, who for over 70 years used the Ness as a top-secret weapons and ammunitions testing site.
Detectorists (BBC)
Three series and a Christmas special can’t be wrong. Gentle and funny this is the story of two friends searching for treasure who discover all they really want is to be happy in their normal lives.
Filmed in Orford, Framlingham and Butley as well as many other locations in Suffolk this hit series will have you addicted. There’s even a Google Map overlay for filming locations here!
Great British Railway Journeys (Series 14, Episode 9) - BBC2
Michael Portillo travels from Felixstowe to Norwich, stopping off in Orford to visit Orford Ness, Britain’s most secret military complex during World War Two. He hears how researchers stress tested nuclear bombs during the Cold War and looks at the new tidal flood barrier in Ipswich.
