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

SUMMARY
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 the Royal Flying Corps established a flying field on the marshes
and associated buildings along ‘The Street’. It 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. This report is
primarily concerned with the development of the post-war Atomic Weapons Research
Establishment. To understand these developments a brief summary of the earlier military
activity is also provided. Orford Ness is owned by the National Trust.
CONTRIBUTORS
The survey was carried out by Magnus Alexander, Wayne Cocroft, Elaine Jamieson, Sarah
Newsome and Jonathan Millward. Professional ground photography was taken by Steve
Cole and Roger J C Thomas.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
English Heritage is especially grateful to Grant Lohoar and his team for ferrying the survey
team to and from Orford Ness, and for providing other logistical support. We are also
grateful to the National Trust’s regional archaeologist, Angus Wainwright, for his support
and continued interest in this project.
ARCHIVE LOCATION
The National Monuments Record Centre,
Kemble Drive,
Swindon
SN2 2G
DATE OF RESEARCH
The field survey was undertaken during June 2007.
CONTACT DETAILS
Wayne Cocroft, English Heritage, Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 8BU
wayne.cocroft@english-heritage.org.uk
© ENGLISH HERITAGE
10 - 2009