Pictures of buildings mentioned in the second edition “Suffolk” volume of “The Buildings of England” series by Sir Nikolaus Pevsner.
The second edition entries are just for the church and the castle.
Of Orford, Pevsner says “Orford was a town of far greater importance in the Middle Ages than it is now. It had three churches, a house of Austin Friars, and two hospitals.” He says its highlights are the main square and Quay Street: this is still true today.
I first visited Orford in the early 1980’s (staying in the ever popular Crown and Castle Hotel). It remains an attraction, both for its isolation and windy coastal walks with views of the Ness and because it is a bit of a foodie heaven with Pinney’s of Orford with its restaurant ‘The Butley Orford Oysterage’ and, more recently, the Pump Street Bakery with its cafe.
Moving to the main attraction, Orford Castle was built for Henry 2 in 1165 - 7. Pevsner says it is the first in England to abandon 90 degree angles for a shape that is more easily defended. Chatham and Odiham are the only other polygonal Norman keeps in England. Here is one view:
Of Orford, Pevsner says “Orford was a town of far greater importance in the Middle Ages than it is now. It had three churches, a house of Austin Friars, and two hospitals.” He says its highlights are the main square and Quay Street: this is still true today.
I first visited Orford in the early 1980’s (staying in the ever popular Crown and Castle Hotel). It remains an attraction, both for its isolation and windy coastal walks with views of the Ness and because it is a bit of a foodie heaven with Pinney’s of Orford with its restaurant ‘The Butley Orford Oysterage’ and, more recently, the Pump Street Bakery with its cafe.
Moving to the main attraction, Orford Castle was built for Henry 2 in 1165 - 7. Pevsner says it is the first in England to abandon 90 degree angles for a shape that is more easily defended. Chatham and Odiham are the only other polygonal Norman keeps in England. Here is one view:
and another:
and yet another:
