Things to see & do

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Guided tours

A group of walkers crossing the Bailey bridge on Orford Ness © National Trust

See areas not normally open to the public on a guided tour. Photographers can join our professional photographer and warden guides and get up close to the unique Cold War AWRE structures.  Please book in advance.

Wild Child (or adult!)

Wild Child

At the end of the summer and early autumn you can get up close to nature, whatever your age.  See the amazing varieties of moths as our moth trap is opened and have the chance to have a bird fly from your hand.

Children's quiz trail

Map showing the children's quiz trail at Orford Ness © Ugly Studios

Become a spy for the day with our children's quiz trail. Just ask for a copy of the trail when you arrive.  Complete your Code Book and have it checked by the Spymaster to receive your MEGASPY card!

Wanting to visit the 'Pagodas'?

Laboraties 4 & 5 of the AWRE site on Orford Ness - the 'Pagodas' © Steve Williams

AWRE Laboratories 4 and 5, the 'Pagodas'

© Steve Williams

The 'Pagodas' are Laboratories 4 and 5 of the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment site. The buildings in this area are highly unstable and contain deep pits and drops. 

For this reason you can only get close to the 'Pagodas' on a guided tour when a warden will make sure you are safe.

On a standard visit you can follow the Red Trail to the edge of the AWRE site and see inside Laboratory 1, which gives you a good idea of the interior of the labs as they were all based on the same basic design principle - to contain an explosion!

You've got to see...

  • Thrift on the Isle of Wight in May

    Spring beauty

    Sea thrift flowers in the salt-marsh, skylarks sing on high and sheep's sorrel turns the shingle red

  • Close up image of a brown hare in field © NTPL/Andy Rouse

    Mad as a...

    After Easter brown hares are still frisky. You might even see them box.

  • Meadow brown butterfly on the Isle of Wight © Matthew Oates / NT

    Summer haze

    Butterflies flutter and stoats and weasels play. Often busy - avoid late July and August if you can.

  • Barn owl flying © northeastwildlife.co.uk

    Autumn skies

    Barn owl and marsh harrier hunt in the low autumnal sun. Migrating waders and wildfowl stop by.

  • Volunteer briefing visitors arrived at ferry landing © NT

    A helping hand

    Our team of volunteers have a wealth of knowledge about the site. Stop them for a chat.

Don't be disappointed...

We only have a small number of ferry tickets available each day and can sell out early.

Follow us on Twitter if you can and we'll do our best to let you know if we are selling out early during the day.

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Things to remember

  • Bombs were dropped and are still here! - keep to the visitor trails.
  • There's no tea room so bring food and drink.
  • It's much bigger than you think - be suited and booted for walking.
  • The weather can change suddenly and dramtically - be prepared.
  • If it's your first visit allow at least three hours to look around.
  • We can sell out of tickets so arrive early to avoid disappointment.