オーフォードでののおすすめランニングルート

keep an eye on the shore line for wee beasties

Keep ya eye out for the waders

A bit windy blow

The Shingle Street Shell line is located on a remote and beautiful section of the Suffolk Coast, not far from Bawdsey. When illness brought two friends together here, they created the line of white Shells stretching out to the sea. It's organic and flowing and feels like it was always part of the landscape

Martello Tower today hosts luxury accommodation but was once a defensive fort, built during the French Revolutionary Wars era. The British government built around 140 such towers across the British Empire during the early 19th century. It's a conspicuous sight in Shingle Street, a small coastal settlement that's in danger of falling victim of coastal erosion and flooding over the next two decades.

Not much visible unless you climb the sea wall, which isn't easy in road cleats. Otherwise it's just a car park with a couple of old concrete gun emplacements behind it.

Nice glimpse towards the coast from the slightly higher ground of the road.

The Shingle Street Shell line is located on a remote and beautiful section of the Suffolk Coast, not far from Bawdsey. When illness brought two friends together here, they created the line of white Shells stretching out to the sea. It's organic and flowing and feels like it was always part of the landscape

From here, you can enjoy views over the beautiful sanctuary of Havergate Island Nature Reserve, located along the River Orwell in Suffolk. The reserve features a diverse range of habitats including saltmarshes, mudflats, and reedbeds which provide refuge for a number of wildlife species including avocets and little terns. If you're an avid bird-water, it's worth bringing your binoculars along for a closer look.

Limited parking so try the harbour one down the road

Parking at Orford castle is limited so try the harbour parking instead

From Wikipedia: 'The Church of St Bartholomew is the parish church of the town of Orford, England. A medieval church, dating from the fourteenth century, with reconstructions in the nineteenth and twentieth century, it is a Grade I listed building. In addition to its listing, the church is notable as the location for the first performances of four of the works of the composer Benjamin Britten: Noye's Fludde, Curlew River, The Burning Fiery Furnace and The Prodigal Son. The church comprises a ruined 12th century chancel, begun in about 1166 and abandoned in the 18th century, the Decorated nave and aisles, restored in the late 19th century, and the tower, restored in the late 20th century after the collapse of its upper storey in 1830. The chancel to the original church was built at about the same time as Orford Castle, and demonstrates a similar "grandeur". By the eighteenth century, the chancel was completely ruined and reconstruction concentrated on the nave and the tower. In the early 1880s George Edmund Street prepared a plan for a comprehensive restoration of the whole complex but this was not undertaken. Instead, rebuilding work spanned almost a hundred years, with J T Micklethwaite undertaking the reconstruction of the nave and aisles between 1894 and 1900, H M Cautley repairing the chancel in 1930, and Bruce George restoring the tower in 1971–72.

With commanding views over Orford Ness, the castle stands 27m (90ft) tall and looks remarkably similar to when it was built over 700 years ago. The materials used to build the castle were brought from far and wide with some timbers coming from Scarborough and limestone from Caen in France. Legend has it the 'Wild Man of Orford' was held in the castle in the 12th century. Described as a merman he was captured by fisherman but eventually escaped.

Great view across the estuary of the Alde/Ore to Orford Ness, now a nature reserve but formerly an MOD atomic weapons research centre, with the silhouettes of the ‘pagoda’ weapons test structures on the horizon.

Due to conservation works Orford Castle is currently (August 2022) enshrouded in scaffolding. The unique polygonal tower keep of Orford Castle stands beside the pretty town and former port, developed by Henry II. The castle is remarkably intact allowing visitors to explore from the basement, through the lower and upper halls to the roof where there are magnificent views seaward to Orford Ness.

From sudbourne.onesuffolk.net: 'The present church at Sudbourne was built in stone in the 12th century and there is a Norman arch above a blocked doorway in the south wall. The tower appears to have been added in the first half of the 14th century. In 1621 the church is recorded as having a thatched roof. In 1676 the church was rebuilt after a fire. A sketch of the church in 1818 shows that the tower then had a short pyramid cap. The church was completely restored in 1878-9, paid for by Sir Richard Wallace of Sudbourne Hall. The architect was Frederick Barnes, the contractor R S Smith and the stonemason Mr Frewer all of Ipswich. At this time the tower received a new roof and a lead-covered spirelet (known as a Hertfordshire spike).The south porch is now blocked, and you enter through the north one. Both have a pair of shields in the spandrels, one of passion symbols, the other of the Holy Trinity. The Trinity symbol is to the east in both cases. At the time of the 1878 restoration, the interior was completely refurbished, with new benches and Minton tiles throughout. Two grand hatchments hang at the west end, a worthy frame for the tall tower arch and Norman font in front. One is to the Devereaux family, the Viscounts of Hereford and one to the Marquesses of Hertford. The heir of the fourth Marquess was Sir Richard Wallace and he in turn bequeathed to the state a considerable art collection, which today is known as 'The Wallace Collection'. Wallace also donated the organ here, in memory of his ancestors. Up in the sanctuary is a large monument to Sir Michael Stanhope, who died in 1621. According to the inscription he sat at the feet of Elizabeth I for twenty years. In fact, he was a Privy Councillor, both to her and to James I. Now he kneels through all eternity in Sudbourne church. Below him is his wife all in black, and their daughters to front and back. They have been reduced to stumps, and she has lost her hands. In the churchyard are many old gravestones. The best inscription is to Matthew Groom, who departed this life in 1769, at the age of 49. It reads in part: The Boreas Blasts Neptunes Waves have tost me to and fro. Yet spite of both by God decreed I Harbour here below, Where I do now my Anchor lay with many of our Fleet. Yet once again I must set Sail our Admiral Christ to meet.'

Magnificent and well preserved medieval keep which dominates the village and surrounding coast.

Delicious breads, cakes, and savouries. There are tables to sit in if it’s cold or wet but if you sit on the benches outside you get take-out prices.

Nice stopping off point for a coffee break.

Lovely little artisan bakery with some of the best baked goods in Suffolk, washed down with real coffee and teas. Money Saving Tip: If the weather is good, take away and sit in the village to enjoy the views.