Orford Lighthouse
Orford Ness Lighthouse, in Suffolk, is situated at the end of a 13 mile shingle spit which runs parallel to the Suffolk coast between Aldeburgh and Orford. Constructed to give a light range of around 20 miles, the present lighthouse – known as the great light - was built in 1792 by Lord Braybrooke of Audley End, and in 1965 became the first automated lighthouse in mainland Britain.

Until the 1630s shipwrecks were a common tragedy for those risking the waters along the Suffolk coast. Sea captains relied on ancient landmarks to guide them through the shoals and sandbanks and away from the swift tides. Orford Castle and the tower of Orford Church helped many a sailor chart his position in the treacherous waters of the North sea. But whilst these beautiful landmarks may have helped sailors in the daylight hours, there was little to help them navigate at night. On one night alone, in 1627, thirty-two ships were cast up on Orford Ness with scarcely a survivor amongst their crews.

Perhaps as a result of this famous tragedy, in February 1634, John Meldrum was granted a patent to build two temporary lights between Sizewell Bank and Aldeburgh Napes. His successor Alderman Gore, under a further patent granted during the reign of Charles II, constructed two timber towers on Orford Ness to indicate a safe passage through the narrow gap between the Sizewell Bank and Aldeburgh Napes.

The brick built lighthouse designed by the architect William Wilkins, the son of a Norwich plasterer and stucco worker has survived raids by privateers, storms, machine-gun fire and flying-bombs but today is in danger of being swept into the sea by coastal erosion. Just a decade ago it was around 100-metres from the foreshore; today it is a mere 45-metres from the sea.

To see the lighthouse close up take a boat trip on the Regardless (Telephone Peter on 01394 450169) from Orford Quay or take the National Trust ferry to Orford Ness, itself.