Orford Castle

Orford Castle
Suffolk, England
A circular tower with projecting square towers attached
The keep of Orford Castle
Orford Castle is located in Suffolk
Orford Castle
Orford Castle
Coordinates52°05′37″N 1°31′48″E / 52.0936°N 1.5300°E / 52.0936; 1.5300
Grid referencegrid reference TM419498
TypeKeep and bailey
Site information
OwnerEnglish Heritage
Open to
the public
Yes
ConditionKeep remains
Site history
MaterialsCaen stone, mudstone, coralline, Northamptonshire limestone

Orford Castle is a castle in Orford in the English county of Suffolk, 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Ipswich, with views over Orford Ness. It was built between 1165 and 1173 by Henry II of England to consolidate royal power in the region. The well-preserved keep, described by historian R. Allen Brown as "one of the most remarkable keeps in England", is of a unique design and probably based on Byzantine architecture. The keep stands within the earth-bank remains of the castle's outer fortifications.