Booking your visit to Orford Ness

How to book

Orford Ness re-opens to visitors on 29 March 2024.

The first two weeks' worth of tickets will be released on Thursday 21 March, with a further week being released each Thursday to maintain a two-week advance booking window.

Booking information

Due to boat capacity, you will need to book your visit to Orford Ness in advance. If you arrive without a booking, you'll unfortunately be turned away. Tickets go on sale via the website each Thursday, releasing an extra week's tickets on a rolling basis to maintain roughly a two-week advance booking period.

Tickets are in very high demand and frequently sell out quickly and so we recommend you book early to avoid disappointment.

Tickets are for a timed outbound ferry from Orford Quay to Orford Ness but once on the island you are free to stay as long as you like as long as you don’t miss the last ferry back to the mainland at 5pm. Tickets are to book the ferry fare and for admission to Orford Ness.

• National Trust Members will only pay the ferry fare.
• Please book one ticket per person including a free ticket for under-fives to allow us to accommodate the correct number of passengers on the ferry.
• You’ll need to choose your ferry time when booking for the day you want to visit.
• Tickets are for your use only and are not available for resale.
• We'll send your booking confirmation by email. Please make sure you fill in your correct email address when you book to ensure you receive your confirmation email.
• If you arive after your pre-booked time we may not be able to acommodate you.

Changing your booking

If you set up an account when you made your booking, you will be able to amend the date/time of your booking online up to 24 hours before the date of your visit, or by calling 0344 249 1895

If you are a member and can no longer attend, please let us know by giving us a call on 0344 249 1895

When you arrive

There is no parking on Orford Quay. Please use the main Riverside car park. The car park is not owned by the National Trust so you will need to buy a ticket. The pay and display machines accept coins and cards (£4 for up to eight hours).

Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your ferry and check in at the office on Orford Quay. Please have your booked ticket ready to show our staff, either on your phone or a printed copy. If you’re a member, you’ll also need to show your membership card.

In order to manage capacity, please arrive within your timeslot. Sadly, if you arrive after the departure time of your ferry, we won’t be able to guarantee your entry.

We recommend allowing at least three to four hours for your visit.

Orford Ness is an exposed coastal location, so please dress for all weathers. Our boat runs in all weathers unless high winds make it unsafe to operate.