Orford, Suffolk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Orford |
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 Orford Castle |
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 Orford
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| Population | 713 (2011 Census) |
| OS grid reference | TM422499 |
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| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WOODBRIDGE |
| Postcode district | IP12 |
| Dialling code | 01394 |
| Police | Suffolk |
| Fire | Suffolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
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Orford is a charming village located in Suffolk, England. It is part of the beautiful Suffolk Coast and Heaths area, which is known for its amazing natural scenery. Orford is about 9 kilometers (or 5.6 miles) east of a town called Woodbridge.
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History of Orford
Orford has a really interesting past! Long ago, in the Middle Ages, it was an important port and fishing village. It has a famous medieval castle, which was built to watch over the River Ore. The beautiful St Bartholomew's Church is also a very old and important building.
The castle was built by King Henry II between 1165 and 1173. He built it to show his power and control in the area. Even though the castle became less important after the king died in 1189, Orford's importance as a port grew. By the year 1200, it was even busier than nearby Ipswich!
King Henry III gave Orford its first official document, called a charter. This charter gave the town special rights. In 1298, Orford even had a member of parliament, someone who represented the town in the country's government. The Orford Town Hall was finished much later, in 1902.
Things to Do in Orford
Orford becomes much busier during the summer months. This is partly because its sailing club is very popular. Many houses in Orford are also used as holiday homes, just like in other coastal villages in Suffolk.
Besides the famous castle, Orford has many other attractions. You can enjoy boat trips on the river. There are also three pubs, a well-known traditional bakery, a smokehouse, and a restaurant called the Butley-Orford Oysterage.
In 2020, a travel magazine called Condé Nast Traveler named Orford as one of the "20 most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland." They even said its castle looked like it belonged in a storybook!
How Orford is Governed
In the past, Orford was known as an "ancient borough." This meant it had special rights and its own local government. From 1523 to 1832, Orford even sent two members of parliament to the government.
However, Orford was considered a "rotten borough." This meant it had very few voters but still had a lot of power in parliament. This unfair system was stopped by a law called the Municipal Corporation Act of 1883.
Today, Orford is part of an area called the Orford and Tunstall electoral ward. In 2011, about 1,830 people lived in this ward.
Famous People from Orford
- John Kirby was a school teacher in Orford.
Gallery
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View from the top of Orford Castle
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Houses in the town
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The Kings Head pub
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Orford Quay
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Orford Quay from Orford Ness
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Orford Town Hall (on the right)
See also
In Spanish: Orford (Suffolk) para niños
