is well worth a visit. For years the area was closed to the public, its use shrouded in secrecy and rumour. Now maintained by the National Trust it is an internationally renowned nature reserve and home to a diverse range of wildlife including a number of rare bird species including the Marsh Harrier, Bearded Tit, Little Tern and the Oyster Catcher. This unique landscape both natural and manmade includes areas of salt marsh, fresh water marsh, reed beds and lagoons as well as large areas of shingle bank.

In 1913 a large part of the Ness was taken over by the War Department. Much of it was drained to form airfields and used for experiments on parachutes, aerial photography, bomb and machine gun sights and the development of camouflage.

In the 1950s strange pagodas were built, while rumours abounded, their use was a matter of top security. These were in fact test cells, some containing a pit into which large weapons could be lowered and used for atomic bomb testing, although no nuclear material was involved in these experiments.

Now open to the public these and the war time buildings have been transformed into visitor information centres and look out posts. With fantastic views over the various habitats and the sea you need to allow yourself the best part of a day to really take everything in.

Despite being just a five minute boat ride from Orford, Orford Ness is very exposed and conditions can vary considerably in a single day, so go prepared!