Orford Ness Lighthouse

Suffolk, England

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Constructed: 1792

Automated: 1965

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Saturday 14 December 1833

9

..

at 12 last night the water was less rough - took a little claret and water which staid on my stomach and from then to 5 a.m. I 2 or 3 times caught myself awaking from a sort of dream - then (at 5 a.m.) took a little more claret and water and a crumb or 2 of bread, but this last would not do - however my stomach did not revolt and I felt better at 9 when the steward came to tell me Lowestoff [Lowestoft] was in sight - I rose from my bench, washed as well as I could and went on deck at 9 ½ for ½ hour - the morning was fine - the fine sea breeze refreshed me - at 10 took a little cold boiled beef and a bottle of sofa water which tho’ not up and good yet was more grateful to me than perhaps anything else could have been - poor Thomas had been as ill as myself and was just calling out for a chop having had nothing since Thursday morning - on advising him to try cold meat, he chose toasted cheese and bread! Eugenie had had wine and water last night, but was still ill with her companion Mrs. Kroger - on deck all the day - at 2 ½ took a little soup - little more cold boiled beet but no relish for it - some hot apple pie and 2 bottles of soda water - on deck again from 3 ¼ to 9 50 when we lay (3 miles below Gravesend) to as I supposed for the night - we had passed the Nore light and entered the river at 5 40 by my watch and 5 by the captain’s and from soon after entering the river had heaved the lead every 4 or 5 minutes or after - it was latterly very dark - we had ¼ less 4 and once even less still and we were afraid of getting wrong - much craft, too, in the river - the Ostend steamer whose light we had seen like a star soon after passing the Nore, passed us and we hailed her at about 9 ½ - she lay to, just before we did, saying it was too much risk to go on - so I went down had a bottle of soda water and one or 2 of my Paris biscuits finding that I had no relish for the little brandy and water I had just tried - nothing like soda water - turned out my travelling bag and crammed all into it I could - was thinking whether to write or lie down, when I felt all stirring went on deck and found us off again and close to Gravesend at 10 40 (I go all along by my own watch) - some delay in taking the 2 tide-waiters on board - spoke to them - no chance of getting my carriage till Monday - walked about on deck a little while and went down to my cabin for the night at 11 - the Bankes arrived on Thursday and the Superb this morning - the Jolliffe and Tourist will surely arrive tomorrow - we passed this morning the companys’ steamer Ramona bound to Hamburg and a Hull steamer bound from London home - good deal of shipping about all today - several coasters (Scotch and coal smacks) in full sail northwards - a fine West India ship they said bound there for coal before going to the W.I. – after Lowestoff [Lowestoft] Orford town and castle belonging to the M. of Hertford, and Orford ness and the 2 fine lighthouses both belonging to the marquis – said our mail guard, one cannot have better property than light-houses – these very good lights – a great deal of traffic this way – every vessel on reaching port says for every light she has passed – perhaps 20 lights from here to Edinburgh and perhaps a smack pays £2 for the whole – all the light houses under the control of the Trinity board. all alterations etc. prescribed by the board must be done – perhaps about ½ the light houses we have are private property – If tree on the coast has long been a landmark, the owner cannot cut it down without putting up a beacon, or lighthouse, or something – our mail guard very communicative – talks of himself and his brother officers – 4 of them altogether I think he said – were all mates of Harwich packets – he 15 years on the Gothenburg station – even these packets (now the only ones from Harwich) to be given up next spring or next year, and the mails conveyed by the Hamburg vessels, the rest of the way to be by Copenhagen – the captains of the Harwich packets were all appointed by interest and knew of their business – there was once a military man made – the mates had charge of working the vessels – ½ a ton is common weight that weights down a buoy – the beacons are fixed in vessels and these vessels weighted down and thus sunk fast into the sand banks – Norroy? Leadenhall street best for sea charts – chart of the n. sea 7/6 – the nore light said our captain fixed in a ship close to the Nore sand – Southend (n) and the Nore (s) form the entrance into the river there about 3 miles broad – and it is fifty miles from the Nore to London – the Downs extend over the Godwin sands, said our captain – our mail guard said they did not begin till Sandown castle ships not always safe there - very  fine day - and very fine evening and night - fine star light and horned moon light for sometime but when we lay to at 9 50 rather obscure - fine against at Gravesend which looked lighted up in a fine crescent of pairs of lights along the water’s edge - did not feel cold on deck

Told the Hull boat that the London (Hull boat) had put into some port in Norway

Orford Ness, Suffollk.

The lighthouse at Orford Ness.  Aldeburgh, Suffolk. August 2018.

Lighthouses are a much-loved part of our coast

Lighthouses are a much-loved part of our coast

With our island being surrounded by sea, lighthouses are a vital coastal guide for mariners, and are much-loved by visitors.

We all know of the magnificent exploits of the builders of the famous Eddystone, and Bishop Rock lighthouses, and I expect each of us has a favourite lighthouse view.

Almost ten years ago we visited Orford Ness, a shingle spit on the Suffolk coast, used by the military for…

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Rendlesham Forest incident

Around 03:00 on 26 December 1980 a security patrol near the east gate of RAF Woodbridge saw lights apparently descending into nearby Rendlesham Forest. These lights have been attributed by astronomers to a piece of natural debris seen burning up as a fireball (meteor) over southern England at that time. Servicemen initially thought it was a downed aircraft but, upon entering the forest to investigate they saw, according to Halt's memo, what they described as a glowing object, metallic in appearance, with coloured lights. As they attempted to approach the object, it appeared to move through the trees, and "the animals on a nearby farm went into a frenzy". One of the servicemen, Sergeant Jim Penniston, later claimed to have encountered a "craft of unknown origin" while in the forest, although there was no publicised mention of this at the time and there is no corroboration from other witnesses. Shortly after 04:00 local police were called to the scene but reported that the only lights they could see were those from the Orford Ness lighthouse, some miles away on the coast.

After daybreak on the morning of 26 December, servicemen returned to a small clearing near the eastern edge of the forest and found three small impressions on the ground in a triangular pattern, as well as burn marks and broken branches on nearby trees. 

28 December

The deputy base commander, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Halt, visited the site with several servicemen in the early hours of 28 December 1980. They took radiation readings in the triangle of depressions and in the surrounding area using an AN/PDR-27, a standard U.S. military radiation survey meter. Although they recorded 0.07 milliroentgens per hour, in other regions they detected 0.03 to 0.04 milliroentgens per hour, around the background level. Furthermore, they detected a similar small 'burst' over half a mile away from the landing site. Halt recorded the events on a micro-cassette recorder. It was during this investigation that a flashing light was seen across the field to the east, almost in line with a farmhouse, as the witnesses had seen on the first night. The Orford Ness lighthouse is visible further to the east in the same line of sight. Later, three star-like lights were seen in the sky, two to the north and one to the south, about 10 degrees above the horizon. Halt said that the brightest of these hovered for two to three hours and seemed to beam down a stream of light from time to time. 

To the Lighthouse

They are taking the lighthouse down. It was really just a matter of time. Time and tide, it is said, wait for no man, and the two make for a powerful combination on this rapidly changing shoreline. The Orford lighthouse has stood here on the Suffolk coast since 1792, the 11th to stand on the same spot. All the previous lighthouses, mostly flimsy wooden structures, were lost to the sea; this one…

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Orford Lighthouse

Orford Ness Lighthouse VR tour

Orford Ness Lighthouse VR tour

With the sad news that Orford Ness lighthouse will be demolished, here are a few 360 photos I took with a borrowed Ricoh Theta S when visiting the site on a tour organised by the Orford Ness Lighthouse Trust in 2016.

Orford Ness lighthouse has stood on this site since Napoleonic times, finally being decommissioned in 2013 following erosion which made the structure unsafe – since then the site has…

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Congratulations to our #ntchallenge winner this week, @finnc11, who captured this snapshot of the lighthouse at Orford Ness. Thanks to your support we can continue to care for the beaches you love during the *Great British Beach Clean* and all year round. #nationaltrust

After nearly a year spent over in France, I’ve spent a month now back in Suffolk, England. In fact, I had a brief visit to Cyprus on a lovely family holiday before I jetted back. Here are the places and all the photographs of the places I have visited in October since I’ve been back. First up!

Southwold

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Back at the seaside yesterday, missed the North Sea after being in the middle of France, it’s nice to here the waves crashing again. 📍 Southwold 📸 iPhone 6S 💻 Adobe Lightroom CC #LandscapesOfSuffolk #Suffolk #SuffolkPhotography #SuffolkLandscapes #SuffolkCoast #SuffolkPhotographers #SuffolkCounty #SuffolkLife #SuffolkCountryside #SuffolkWalks #SuffolkWildlife #SuffolkBeach #SuffolkSunset #BackSuffolk #IgersEastAnglia #SuffolkCountyPhotographer #SuffolkCollective #SuffolkArtist #SuffolkPhoto #EastAnglia #QuintessentiallySuffolk #LiveForTheStory #TeamKaptainKenny #ThisIsSuffolk #Adobe_LessIsMore #VisitEastAnglia #TKKUK #VisitSuffolk #RAWSuffolk

A post shared by Owen Young (@ingreycaptures) on Oct 17, 2018 at 4:32am PDT

A day out in Southwold to finally see the grey North Sea, romantic right? Definitely! Got myself some chips, walked along the pier (stopping of in this shops along the way), grabbed a coffee and played in the arcade. Now that’s a classic seaside adventure if you ask me. This is certainly something that I’ve missed whilst away all this time. Just the noise of the crashing waves.

Woodbridge

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Bright blue skies & a bright blue scooter! 🛴💨 📍 Woodbridge 📸 iPhone 6S 💻 Adobe Lightroom CC #LandscapesOfSuffolk #Suffolk #SuffolkPhotography #SuffolkLandscapes #SuffolkCoast #SuffolkPhotographers #SuffolkCounty #SuffolkLife #SuffolkCountryside #SuffolkWalks #SuffolkWildlife #SuffolkBeach #SuffolkSunset #BackSuffolk #IgersEastAnglia #SuffolkCountyPhotographer #SuffolkCollective #SuffolkArtist #SuffolkPhoto #EastAnglia #QuintessentiallySuffolk #LiveForTheStory #TeamKaptainKenny #ThisIsSuffolk #Adobe_LessIsMore #VisitEastAnglia #TKKUK #VisitSuffolk #RAWSuffolk

A post shared by Owen Young (@ingreycaptures) on Oct 20, 2018 at 8:51am PDT

A quick visit to Woodbridge. And I mean it was very quick. My dad needed to pick up a few bits and bobs from the shops so I tagged along. I got to see this called light blue moped and captured a photo of it on my phone in the afternoon sun. After my dad had run his errands we popped into the local cafe Honey & Harveys for a hot beverage and a croissant before moving on back home.

Felixstowe

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Adventures in Felixstowe. Fish & chips and the docks and then a trip up to the pier for coffee! @theboardwalkfelixstowe • • 📍 Felixstowe, Suffolk 📸 Nikon 1 J2 💻 Adobe Lightroom CC #LandscapesOfSuffolk #Suffolk #SuffolkPhotography #SuffolkLandscapes #SuffolkCoast #SuffolkPhotographers #SuffolkCounty #SuffolkLife #SuffolkCountryside #SuffolkWalks #SuffolkWildlife #SuffolkBeach #SuffolkSunset #BackSuffolk #IgersEastAnglia #SuffolkCountyPhotographer #SuffolkCollective #SuffolkArtist #SuffolkPhoto #EastAnglia #QuintessentiallySuffolk #LiveForTheStory #FotoCatchers #ThisIsSuffolk #Adobe_LessIsMore #VisitEastAnglia #SuffolkSecretsPhotoOfTheWeek #VisitSuffolk #RAWSuffolk

A post shared by Owen Young (@ingreycaptures) on Oct 24, 2018 at 3:34am PDT

Now I know I’ve already had chips up at Southwold, but I did also stop off at Felixstowe, because I really wanted fish & chips. We went up to the docks and the walked along the pier and promenade. I haven’t been to the new pier in Felixstowe since it’s been opened has I’ve been away. It was good to see some life kicked back into the seafront. Grabbed a coffee at the boardwalk cafe whilst I was there too.

Snape

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Snape will always be one of the best places to capture the autumn colours in Suffolk! 📍Snape, Suffolk 📸 Nikon 1 J2 💻 Adobe Lightroom CC #LandscapesOfSuffolk #Suffolk #SuffolkPhotography #SuffolkLandscapes #SuffolkCoast #SuffolkPhotographers #SuffolkCounty #SuffolkLife #SuffolkCountryside #SuffolkWalks #SuffolkWildlife #SuffolkBeach #SuffolkSunset #BackSuffolk #IgersEastAnglia #SuffolkCountyPhotographer #SuffolkCollective #TKKUK #SuffolkPhoto #EastAnglia #QuintessentiallySuffolk #LiveForTheStory #TKKEurope #ThisIsSuffolk #Adobe_LessIsMore #VisitEastAnglia #TeamKaptainKenny #VisitSuffolk #RAWSuffolk

A post shared by Owen Young (@ingreycaptures) on Oct 27, 2018 at 2:21am PDT

Snape is the perfect place to capture the autumn colours. I really haven’t found anywhere else that is quite so picturesque at this time of year. I was only there for a short amount of time, I was feeling rather “groggy” and fancied a breath of fresh air to see if that would help me feel a little better. Whilst I was there I took my dad’s camera and captured a few photo’s of the river and the reeds. I then jumped back in the car and headed home.

Aldeburgh

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I always forget about this spot in Aldeburgh. It’s a cool little view down to the seaside. Currently using a Nikon camera at the moment so finding editing the pictures are having a different end result. Hopefully I’ve captured the autumn chill in this one. 📍 Aldeburgh, Suffolk 📸 Nikon 1 J2 💻 Adobe Lightroom CC #LandscapesOfSuffolk #Suffolk #SuffolkPhotography #SuffolkLandscapes #SuffolkCoast #SuffolkPhotographers #SuffolkCounty #SuffolkLife #SuffolkCountryside #SuffolkWalks #SuffolkWildlife #SuffolkBeach #SuffolkSunset #BackSuffolk #IgersEastAnglia #SuffolkCountyPhotographer #SuffolkCollective #SuffolkArtist #SuffolkPhoto #EastAnglia #QuintessentiallySuffolk #LiveForTheStory #TKKUK #ThisIsSuffolk #Adobe_LessIsMore #VisitEastAnglia #TeamKaptainKenny #VisitSuffolk #RAWSuffolk

A post shared by Owen Young (@ingreycaptures) on Oct 31, 2018 at 3:32pm PDT

Another flying visit to Aldeburgh, it was very cold, but I wanted to find a particular spot I’ve seen photographed before (the one shown above) of the steps that lead down to the beach. I also wanted to capture a photograph of the boats that sit on the shingle there too. I had a walk up and down the high street whilst I was there and browsed some of the shops there too. Just want to see if there are any novelty gifts to get in early for Christmas…

Orford

To round things of, I went to Orford. A popular place for visitors from afar just 15 minutes up the road from where I live that I’ve rarely ever visited. So I went of in the car and decided to get a good look around the village. I took walk along the river and had a good look across Orford Ness over at the Lighthouse and the old empty nuclear war buildings there too. This was a day I also regret leaving my walking boots & coat in France!

Back to Suffolk #Suffolk #Blog After nearly a year spent over in France, I've spent a month now back in Suffolk, England.

The last refuge. Having just watched Years and Years I think my post-apocalyptic images are notably more fluffy.  #lighthouse #OrfordNess #NationalTrust #BleakScape #BlackAndWhite #landscape #decay #outdoors #FolkHorror #distressed #suffolk #seaside #abandoned #Canon #CanonPhotography #exploring #coastal (at Orford Ness) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzGxssoFfjx/?igshid=48xr0s6zypl2

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18 Dating Ideas with Breathtaking Scenery in the East of England

Are you looking for the perfect setting for a romantic date in the East of England? When you first meet someone for a date, getting out and about in lovely scenery allows you to relax and get to know one another. The East of England includes some of the most beautiful and historic landscapes in the country so whether you fancy a walk on the beach, mountain biking through a forest or visiting an atmospheric garden, our creative dating ideas offer something for everyone.

1. Spot seals at Blakeney Point

Blakeney Point is part of the Blakeney National Nature Reserve, which offers beautiful views of the Norfolk coastline and is perfect for a date with someone loves animals and nature, take a boat trip to see the numerous grey seals who can often be seen basking on the beaches here; you might even be lucky enough to see baby seals.

2. Take a trip on a traditional sailing barge at Maldon

If your date loves the romance of days gone by, enjoy a memorable date in the fresh sea air with a trip around Northey and Osea Islands in the Thames estuary on an authentic Thames sailing barge at Maldon. Enjoy tea and cakes on board as the scenery glides serenely by.

3. Watch the sunset from Southend Pier

Meet your date at the iconic Southend Pier, the longest and one of the oldest pleasure piers in the world, to watch the sun going down. Try your luck in the amusement arcade before catching the old-fashioned train back again.

4. Soak up the atmosphere at Audley End House

For a romantic date in the surroundings of a stunning country mansion, enjoy the atmosphere of Jacobean opulence at Audley End House, where you can explore the grounds and lake created by Capability Brown.

5. Stroll through the flower gardens at Bridge End Garden, Saffron Walden

What could be more romantic than the exquisite flower gardens at Bridge End? Why not meet your date at this “secret garden” near the Fry Art Gallery that has been recently restored to its former Victorian splendour.

6. Climb the heights of romance at Layer Marney Tower

For a date at an unusual location with splendid views over rural Essex and the Blackwater, the climb of 99 steps to the top of Layer Marney Tower, built by one of Henry V111’s courtiers, repays the effort. The gardens are beautiful throughout the year but the rose garden is at its most fragrant in summer.

7. Explore the beautiful landscapes of Constable country at Dedham Vale

You and your date can enjoy tranquillity and natural beauty when you explore Dedham Vale, an AONB in Suffolk first made famous by Constable in paintings such as “Flatford Mill”. Get away from the hustle and bustle and explore on foot or by cycle: there are several routes to choose from.

8. Discover the romance of ancient history at Sutton Hoo

Sutton Hoo is the perfect setting for a date with anyone interested in the romance of ancient history and culture. Explore the museum together and then take a stroll through nearby fields and woodland to see the atmospheric Anglo-Saxon burial mounds.

9. Take in the romantic views at Waddesdon Manor

You and your date can reconnect with nature in the stunning grounds of Waddesdon Manor, a palatial 19th century chateau. The house is set high on a ridge with majestic views over surrounding countryside and is the perfect place to spend time getting to know your date better.

10. View Cambridge the romantic way from a traditional punt

Whether you opt for a guided punt tour or a self-hire punt, you and your date can cosy up as you explore the lovely scenery of the River Cam at Cambridge. Head along the iconic College Backs or out towards rural Grantchester.

11. Challenge yourselves with an exciting date at Go Ape!

For all those with a head for heights, why not meet your date at Go Ape! at Thetford. Set in beautiful woodland, Go Ape! will take you both on the adventure of a lifetime as you climb through the tree tops and zoom down zip wires.

12. A date for animal lovers at Whipsnade Zoo

Animal lovers will be enchanted by the suggestion of meeting for a date at Whipsnade Zoo. Set in the rolling Chiltern hills, the zoo and safari park is home to a collection of exotic animals in superbly landscaped, spacious enclosures.

13. Admire the idyllic view from Horsey Windpump

Leave the car behind as you and your date stroll through the wild and remote landscapes of the Norfolk Broads at Horsey; the ancient windpump is open to the public and you can climb to the top for even more fabulous views.

14. Take a walk on the wild side at Orford Ness Lighthouse

If your date loves wide, empty beaches, why not visit Orford Ness lightouse? A five minute boat trip from Orford Quay takes you across to the wild and remote Orford Ness, where there is a short walk to the lighthouse itself.

15. Get close to nature at Wicken Fen

Wicken Fen is the oldest nature reserve in the country and is a great place for a date for those interested in birds and other animals; it is home to more than 9000 species and can be explored by cycle, on foot or by boat.

16. A romantic canoe trip for two on the tranquil Great Ouse

For a more active date, try a half day canoe trail on the Great Ouse near Bedford. The river is safe for novice canoeists and meanders past Bedford’s historic town centre and through rural villages and meadows.

17. Explore cultural delights by the sea at Aldeburgh

Whether you stroll along the beach and enjoy a coffee in one of the many cafes and pubs, take a row boat out on the peaceful mere at Thorpeness or go to a concert at the world famous Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh is an enchanting place for a date at any time of the year.

18. Mountain bike through the stunning scenery of Thetford Forest

A mountain biking date is a great choice for sporty people – it’s often easier to get to know someone when you’re focussing on doing something exciting in the open air. There are plenty of trails to choose from that will take you through beautiful scenery, such as Thetford Forest.

Image Source: 1. via nationaltrust.org.uk; 2. via nationaltrust.org.uk; 3. via southendculture.com; 4. via english-heritage.org.uk; 5. via bridgeendgarden.co.uk; 6. via layermarneytower.co.uk; 7. via dedhamvalestourvalley.org; 8. via nationaltrust.org.uk; 9. via wikimedia.org; 10. via scudamores.com; 11. via natureflip.com; 12. via discoveranimals.co.uk; 13. via nationaltrust.org.uk; 14. via bbci.co.uk; 15. via nationaltrust.org.uk; 16. via canoetrail.co.uk; 17. via tripadvisor.com; 18. Via mapio.net

Featured photo credit: Unknown via english-heritage.org.uk

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Orford Ness, Suffolk. August 2018.