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

wrecks are precisely located. In addition to the wrecks the seabed is known to be
covered by live ordnance from the decades of experimental works. Other remains of
wrecks include a large section of an aircraft wing embedded in the south bank of Stony
Ditch. Close to the National Trust’s Orford jetty is a derelict wooden barge, the Tuesday,
a late 19 th century sailing barge that has been stranded here since the 1930s.
During the First World War, opposite to the town of Orford King’s Marsh was acquired
by the War Office for the construction of an airfield. To this end the western part of
King’s Marsh was drained and levelled and a grass flying field constructed. To its south
along the line of Stony Ditch were a number of hangars and ancillary buildings. To the
south of the ditch are a couple of explosives magazines and Orford beach that was used
for bombing practice. The spit remained in government hands until April 1993 when
the National Trust purchased 1551 acres (628 hectares) for £292,500. Today, most of
the spit, with the exception of the former Cobra Mist wireless station to the north, is
managed by the National Trust. Access on to the spit is by boat and then either by land
train or on foot. To protect the nesting birds and plant life, and due to the risks posed by
unexploded ordnance, visitors are restricted to set routes. To further increase the biodiversity
of the area parts of the former flying field are being allowed to flood.
© ENGLISH HERITAGE
10 - 2009