This is my favourite castle in the UK and I have visited many times. Orford Castle was built in 1165 and has a unique polygonal tower projecting power and wealth – a little intimidating! I love that it is unfurnished, allowing you to let your imagination go wild, visualising how it would look and smell, and conjuring up grand feasts and royal events. Maybe I read a little too much Philippa Gregory! For those wanting real information there is an amusing, but slightly irritating, audio guide with "authentic" music and oldy worlde accents. Worth a listen on your first visit.
You can venture pretty much anywhere you like from the basement to the roof. Go up and down higgledy-piggledy little staircases and discover hidden chambers, the chapel and lots of sinks! The roof has yet more little cubby holes to enjoy, and rewards your hike up the stairs with a magnificent view of Orford Ness and surrounding areas.
Orford also has Orford Ness, a short walk away, and discovered a great trek along the headlands. The track didn't seem to have an end or a circular nature to it though... I'm never thrilled when I have to retrace my steps!
Oh yes, and we had a delicious lunch at the Butley Orford Oysterage. My boyfriend tried his first ever oysters– after the first one, which he chewed, he swallowed the next doused in Tabasco! We had a great lunch here, good for a special treat.If you're in Suffolk, visiting Orford is a must, wander around the little village and definitely go inside the castle and eat something that has been smoked!
I am feeling so homesick :-(
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