Atomic Weapons Research Establishment. Orford ... - English Heritage

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Introduction The Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Orford Ness, Suffolk, was operational between 1956 and 1972. Its primary task was environmental testing to simulate the conditions that nuclear weapons and their components might experience during trials and in service use. Here science and high politics merged, with investigations that were crucial to the credibility of the United Kingdom’s nuclear deterrent forces, the cornerstone of Cold War defence policy. Prior to the 20 th century Orford Ness was a rarely visited place; the main economic activity was animal grazing on reclaimed marsh land. During the First World War, 1914-1918, the Royal Flying Corps established a flying field on the marshes and its associated buildings were arranged in along a single road, which became known as ‘The Street’. This station was principally used for experimental work into aerial machine guns, bombs, navigation, and photography, a role that continued into the inter-war period. In 1935, a small experimental radar team arrived and conducted experiments that were critical in proving the value of this technology. The survey was undertaken as part of a national project ‘Cold War, People and Place’, which was designed to produce four exemplary surveys of Cold War era research and development establishments. The investigation has also contributed to another national project ‘England’s atomic age’, which aims to document some of England’s key nuclear installations. The survey of Orford Ness was principally concerned with understanding the post-war use of the spit by the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment (AWRE). This is set against the background of contemporary weapons programmes. To this end a full topographic survey was carried out of the AWRE structures on Orford Beach, and an earlier plan of The Street was digitised, geo-referenced and appended to the present survey. Other peripheral details were derived from Ordnance Survey mapping. Descriptive record sheets were also produced for all the significant AWRE buildings and features on Orford Beach, and selected buildings on The Street. Ground photography was also undertaken. In addition to its historical interest Orford Ness is a rare and fragile natural environment that is extremely for important bird, plant and insect life. In recognition of this significance, and that of large areas of the adjacent coast, it is protected under a suite of environment designations as an Environmental Sensitive Area, Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Area, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Ramsar (www.magic.gov.uk). Orford Ness is owned by the National Trust and during the summer months a regular boat service takes visitors to the spit. Most of the AWRE area may be seen from surfaced tracks, although parts of the former range are closed to assist nature conservation or due to health and safety concerns. Note Within the report the buildings are referenced by their latest known numerical designation. Where the earlier number is known this will also be given, for example, © ENGLISH HERITAGE 10 - 2009
Control Room F4/124/67, where F4 is its current number and 124 and 67 are its previous numbers. More detailed descriptions of the purpose-built AWRE buildings and structures on Orford Beach and selected buildings from ‘The Street’ are appended at the end of the report. On the accompanying plans features are identified by their latest known designation. All aerial photographs used in the report have been turned so that north is at the top. © ENGLISH HERITAGE 10 - 2009
Page 1 and 2: RESEARCH DEPARTMENT REPORT SERIES n
Page 3: Research Department Report Series 1
Page 6 and 7: © ENGLISH HERITAGE 2009 10 -
Page 8 and 9: Sources 64 Primary sources 64 Secon
Page 12 and 13: Topography and land use Orford Ness
Page 14 and 15: Previous archaeological and histori
Page 16 and 17: The First World War In 1915, the Ar
Page 18 and 19: Figure 4: Photograph taken during t
Page 20 and 21: sorties were flown from RAF Martles
Page 22 and 23: Ballistics Building and was able to
Page 24 and 25: With the closure of the Ministry of
Page 26 and 27: Figure 11: Vibration Test Buildings
Page 28 and 29: Figure 12: WE177A freefall tactical
Page 30 and 31: Orford Ness formally passed from AW
Page 32 and 33: Figure 14: RAF Orford Ness in May 1
Page 34 and 35: Figure 16: The remains of the Model
Page 36 and 37: hostel. Adjacent to this is the sit
Page 38 and 39: Figure 21: First World War Magazine
Page 40 and 41: First phase AWRE buildings Air phot
Page 42 and 43: Figure 24: View of the area to the
Page 44 and 45: Figure 25: Laboratory 1 F3/123 show
Page 46 and 47: on its northeast side that gave acc
Page 48 and 49: To support the functions of this bu
Page 50 and 51: The centrifuge arm was 16ft (4.88m)
Page 52 and 53: Figure 32: The Control Room E4, sho
Page 54 and 55: Figure 34: Vibration Laboratory E2,
Page 56 and 57: was supported on concrete piers. Th
Page 58 and 59: Figure 38: The Impact Facility F5,
Page 60 and 61:
uildings, are covered by a shingle
Page 62 and 63:
for solitary sheep and cattle graze
Page 64 and 65:
Figure 42: AWRE in July 1958, by th
Page 66 and 67:
programme, the development of the W
Page 68 and 69:
Sources Primary sources The Nationa
Page 70 and 71:
Secondary sources Anon 1931 ‘Radi
Page 72 and 73:
Building list This list was compile
Page 74 and 75:
62 7 ton crane - quay 63 7 ton cran
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125 F1 1956 Lab II & control room (
Page 78 and 79:
Magazine AREA/LOCATION: STRUCTURE N
Page 80 and 81:
Fuze Magazine AREA/LOCATION: STRUCT
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Fuze Magazine AREA/LOCATION: STRUCT
Page 84 and 85:
a cruciform framework to support th
Page 86 and 87:
Vibration Test Building AREA/LOCATI
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are 3 large concrete machinery moun
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At the south end of the main plant
Page 92 and 93:
At the east end there is a slightly
Page 94 and 95:
a similar sign on the south door re
Page 96 and 97:
Electrical Sub Station 2 AREA/LOCAT
Page 98 and 99:
Laboratory 2 AREA/LOCATION: STRUCTU
Page 100 and 101:
Laboratory 3 AREA/LOCATION: STRUCTU
Page 102 and 103:
ing the shingle traverse and protec
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and running along the north wall. T
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cylinder. Roughly in the centre of
Page 108 and 109:
tion board/fuse box, and a single s
Page 110 and 111:
Impact Facility AREA/LOCATION: STRU
Page 112 and 113:
Plinth E AREA/LOCATION: STRUCTURE N
Page 114 and 115:
Black Beacon AREA/LOCATION: STRUCTU
Page 116 and 117:
Headquarters AREA/LOCATION: STRUCTU
Page 118 and 119:
Small Vibration Laboratory AREA/LOC
Page 120 and 121:
Office Annexe AREA/LOCATION: STRUCT
Page 122 and 123:
Compound AREA/LOCATION: G Area STRU
Page 124 and 125:
Electronics Workshop AREA/LOCATION:
Page 126 and 127:
Plinth G AREA/LOCATION: Lighthouse
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Figure 44: Reference plan (1:10000
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Figure 46: West end of The Street (
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Figure 48: AWRE headquarters area (
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Figure 50: Laboratory F5 (1:1000 at
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Figure 52: Pagodas and Control Room
Page 138:
ENGLISH HERITAGE RESEARCH DEPARTMEN
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Atomic Weapons Research Establishment. Orford ... - English Heritage

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