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    Layout/formatting imageClear image used for layout purposesClear image used for layout purposesOrford Ness National Nature ReserveClear image used for layout purposes
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    Clear image used for layout purposesThe trails
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    Itinerary ideas
    Holidays
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    What to see and do
    Highlights
    Events Events
    Working lighthouse visit – joint NT and Trinity House event. Wildtrack Working Holidays. Telephone 0870 429 2429 for details. Marine Conservation Society Beachwatch – coastal survey and clean up. Telephone 01394 450900 after July for details
    Guided tours Guided tours
    Natural history, military history and general interest
    Country walks Country walks
    Illustrated trail guide covering three available walks and children's quiz/trail for sale

    About this property

    The largest vegetated shingle spit in Europe, the Reserve contains a variety of habitats including shingle, saltmarsh, mudflat, brackish lagoons and grazing marsh. It provides an important location for breeding and passage birds as well as for the coastal shingle flora and wildlife, including a large number of nationally rare species. The Ness was a secret military test site from 1913 until the mid 1980s. Visitors follow a 5½ml route, which can be walked in total or in part (the full walk involves walking on shingle). Other walks (approx. three miles) are open seasonally.

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    Nuclear research buildings on the shingle of Orford Ness
    © NTPL / Joe Cornish
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