Venue Description

Wild, remote and exposed, Orford Ness contains the ruined remnants of a disturbing past. Ranked among the most important shingle features in the world, rare and fragile wildlife thrives where weapons, including atomic bombs, were once tested and perfected. Walking trails lead through coastal grazing marsh to vegetated shingle habitats taking in wildlife, ex military testing areas, buildings and displays.

Accessibility

Access to Orford Ness is via our ferry Octavia. Access to the ferry does require the ability to negotiate steep, sometimes slippery steps. Once on Orford Ness routes are flat and tarmac surface. The main visitor route is around 5 miles long and we can offer the following • Parking – We don’t own the car park in Orford and there is no car parking on Orford Quay itself. You can though drop off on the Quay and then park in the main car park. The car park does offer Blue Badge parking • Hearing impairment – Induction loops are available in all our front facing spaces. We also offer a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted welcome video. Please ask at our Quay Office if you’d like to view this. • Visual impairment – Large print guides are available at Visitor Reception on request. • Assistance dogs – Dogs aren’t usually allowed on Orford Ness, but Assistance dogs are welcome. Due to the ground nesting birds we do ask assistance dogs are kept on a lead and we’d ask you to let us know in advance, so we know to expect you and your dog. • Eating and drinking – We don’t have any catering facilities on Orford Ness apart from a self-serve tea and coffee in our bookshop which is run on an honesty box basis. • Wheelchairs – We have three wheelchairs for visitors to borrow. Please see below for more information • Mobility Vehicles – We have two all-terrain mobility vehicles (“tramper”) available to borrow. These are designed to enable those with mobility requirements to access the wider parkland terrain. Advance booking is recommended via orfordness@nationaltrust.org.uk • Surfaces and terrain – There are three visitor routes on Orford Ness. Our main Red Route is open throughout the season, while our Blue and Green routes are seasonal opening. Our Red Route is mainly tarmac or concrete with a small section of shingle. It is accessible for our tramper and wheelchairs, although wheelchair users may find the shingle section bumpy. Our Blue route when open is concrete surface and the Green Route is half concrete, have uneven terrain – the concrete section is accessible (though with a steep gradient over the bridge) but the unsurfaced section is difficult for wheelchairs, tampers and pushchairs. • Toilets – Accessible toilets are available at the Rangers office • Black Beacon and Bomb Ballistics– The interiors are only accessible up a flight of stairs. A picture book with views and information is available on request for those unable to negotiate stairs. • Sensory bags – We have sensory bags available to borrow for those with sensory needs. Please ask at our Quay Office on arrival

Access Statement

Access Statement Link: https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/assets/website/national/regions/suffolk/places/orford-ness-national-nature-reserve/pdf/orford-ness-access-statement.pdf

Toilets

An accessible toilet is available at the rangers office. This is accessed by a flat path and the door is wide enough for a manual wheelchair. The toilet doesn't need a special key.

Staff

Our staff and volunteers are available to help with any assistance needs. You can email orfordness@nationaltrust.org.uk or call 01394 450900 to discuss your needs. Our staff and volunteers have undergone neurodivergence awareness training as well as wider accessibility training. The Duty Manager is always available to discuss any requirements while on site.

Assistance dog facilities

Assistance dog exercise facilities

Orford Ness is a highly designated site for nature and only assistance dogs are allowed on site. Do to ground nesting birds we ask that assistance dogs are kept on leads at all times and we advise letting us know in advance (01394 450900 or via email at orfordness@nationaltrust.org.uk) so we are expecting you and your assistance dog.