Before 1913

Orford Ness Lighthouse
Built in 1792 by Lord Braybroke, as a private venture. This occulting lighthouse (there is a dark area in the rotation of the beam created by a blanked out section on the glass top) was one of two which could be lined up to guide ships through dangerous shingle and sandbanks.

After the earlier 'Low light' was engulfed by the sea and abandoned in 1887 this job was done by coloured 'Sector Lights' (these can be seen lower down the tower). The lease was taken over by Trinity House in 1837 and properly trained keepers were installed. The keepers lived in cottages attached to either side of the tower with the base of the tower acting as a common hall for both. These were demolished in the late 1950s.

During both World Wars the Light was under the command of the Naval Authority and was operated only when needed. Despite being camouflaged it was used as a navigation aid by both Allied and German aircraft. It also became an observation post.

The present light was one of the first to replace coal with oil as a source of illumination. Electricity replaced paraffin in 1959 and the Light was automated in 1965. Major modifications were carried out in 2000. The Lighthouse is owned and operated by Trinity House and is not open to the public except on special events.

Martello Tower
The coast of East Anglia has many flat cliffless beaches and deep estuaries making it an ideal invasion target. Orford Ness provides an effective invasion defence but where it joins the main land at Aldeburgh is a potential weak spot. Defences were mounted here from at least the 17th century but the most significant defensive structure is the great Martello Tower which is the most northerly of the east coast towers built against a potential Napoleonic invasion.

©National Trust
Martello Tower