Access Information

Dates

1 July – 30 October 2021

Opening Days and Times

July – August 2021: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
September 2021: Saturday and Sunday
October 2021: Saturdays only

10:00 – 17:00

• The first ferry is at 10:00 and runs every 15 minutes.
• Last outbound ferry is at 12:45.
• Last inbound ferry is at 16:45.

Ticketing

National Trust members: £4.50

Standard Adult entry: £12*

*Tickets can be booked via the National Trust’s website. Visitors can only book tickets up to one week in advance. Tickets are released every Friday. The ticket price includes general admission to the site and ferry rides to and from the site. You must select your outbound ferry time upon booking. 

Location

Quay Street
Orford
Woodbridge
Suffolk
IP12 2NU

Access and Movement 

A full and detailed access statement is available via the National Trust.

• The site is an outdoor nature reserve with fragile habitats, no bikes and dogs allowed (assistance dogs are welcome). 
• Access to the site is only via the National Trust ferry from Orford Quay, there is no access to pedestrians via Slaughden.
• The National Trust Ferry is accessed via steps down from the Quay (number of steps subject to tide). 
• The ferry journey from the Quay to the Ness is three minutes long. 
• Access from the mooring on Orford Ness is via steps (number of steps subject to tide). 
• Once onsite, access to the exhibition buildings is available on foot via the visitor route:
  • The distance from the jetty to the Information Building is approximately 950m (approximately 15min walk). 
  • The distance from the Information Building to Bomb Ballistics is approximately 1150m (approximately 17min walk). 
  • There are 38 steps between the ground and the top of the Bomb Ballistics building.
  • The distance from Bomb Ballistics to the former Lighthouse site is approximately 600m (approximately 9 minute walk) 
  • The distance from the former Lighthouse site to Black Beacon is 1300m (approximately 21 minute walk). 
  • The distance from Black Beacon to Lab 1 is 650m (approximately 10 minute walk)
  • The distance from Lab 1 to the Armory is 950m (approximately 15 minute walk).
  • The distance back to the information building is 3500m (approximately 45 minute walk) 
• As a former military site, anyone straying from the visitor routes may be in danger of being exposed to unexploded materials. Please stick to the paths. If unsure, follow the routes suggested in the official Afterness guide map. 
• For public safety, the former Atomic Weapons Research Establishment site, including the Pagodas, is strictly out of bounds.
• There are benches dotted around the site and are available for visitors to use. 

Artangel’s team will do whatever is possible to meet your access and/or communication needs when visiting. Please call us on our office number in advance, open Monday to Friday, 10:00–18:00, on +44 (0)20 7713 1400.

Traveling to the Exhibition Site By Public Transport

Train

Wickham Market Station and Melton Station are 8 – 10 miles away from Orford Quay respectively. 

The taxi journey from the station is around 20 minutes. Local taxi stations include M & R Cars, bookable on +44 (0)1394 380034.

Bus

Local service from Woodbridge (passing Melton railway station). Bookable demand-responsive service +44 (0)1728 635938.

Traveling to the Exhibition Site By Car

10 miles east of A12 (B1094/1095)

12 miles north-east of Woodbridge (B1152/1084)

Traveling to the Exhibition Site By Walking

Suffolk Coast Path and Sandlings Walk pass nearby on the mainland.

Please note, the only access to Orford Ness is via the National Trust ferry from Orford Quay. It is forbidden to walk on any other path that’s not authorised. 

Car Parking

Parking is available on Quay Street as Pay and Display.

Please note, payment machines are cash only.

Assistance Animals

Assistance animals can be accommodated within the exhibition space.

Please get in touch with us or the National Trust team box office in advance to best accommodate your needs. 

Toilets

Toilets are available at the Quay Street car park before crossing by ferry into Orford Ness, and onsite opposite the Ranger’s office.

More details of the location of all buildings, including the toilets, can be found in the map inserted inside the official Afterness guide, available to pick up on Orford Quay information building or the Information Building on arrival on the Ness. 

Fire Safety

The site has an evacuation plan. Should it become necessary to evacuate any of the exhibition spaces, Artangel staff will provide assisted escape routes out of all areas and alert the local emergency services. Mobility impaired visitors should ensure they are accompanied by someone during their visit who is able to assist them in the event of an evacuation.

Covid-19 Statement

Orford Ness is a predominately outdoor site. Selected artworks are presented inside some of the old buildings and are rarely enclosed, ensuring good natural ventilation.  

Entrance / Exit procedures

• Advanced booking will be required via the National Trust website. Capacity is limited as per National Trust policy, in line with government guidance.  
• Face coverings on the ferry and inside exhibition buildings are strongly advised. The capacity per ferry crossing is limited to 12 people. 
• Hand sanitiser will be made available upon arrival.

Physical distancing 

• Maintaining a minimum of two metres (6.5ft) between persons should be observed at all times, whenever practically possible.
• In the event that it is not possible to maintain physical distancing, facemasks are to be worn by all persons involved until physical distancing can be reestablished.

Please note, Covid-19 guidance and protocols will be reviewed and amended in accordance with ongoing changes in government guidance.