Orford Castle
Woodbridge, Suffolk
A perfectly preserved polygonal keep built for Henry II, with village quay, marshes and coastal paths nearby giving your dog the real walk.
The keep is the whole show, and it is remarkable. Henry II built Orford between 1165 and 1173 to a unique design: an eighteen sided polygonal tower with three square turrets, unlike anything before it, and it survives virtually complete when the curtain walls around it have vanished entirely. You climb through the chambers, kitchens and chapel to the roof, where the view runs out over Orford Ness and the Suffolk coast.
As you take on the spiral stair, your dog gets the castle mound and earthworks for open grass and a good vantage point, and the real walking is beyond it: Orford quay, the marshes and the coastal paths towards Butley are excellent.
Dogs are allowed on leads. Parking is a 20 space car park 50 metres from the entrance, free to members, with more in the village. There is a shop, toilets, exhibition, gardens and picnic seating but no café, though Orford village has very good food. The keep is a tall spiral stair climb, so it is not one for a dog that struggles with steps.
At a Glance
- Dog Access
- On-lead in the grounds
- Dogs allowed on leads.
- Site Type
- Castle & Fort
- Entry
- £10.20 adult
- £5.10 child · £25.50 family
- Members
- Free for English Heritage members
- Facilities
- Exhibition, Gardens, Parking, Picnic seating, Shop, Toilets
- Telephone
- 01394 450472
- Parking
- Free for English Heritage members displaying a valid car sticker. Car park with 20 spaces is located 50m from the entrance. Additional pay-and-display parking is available down at the quay.
English Heritage Membership
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Planning Your Visit
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Thursday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Friday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Saturday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Sunday
- 10:00 - 17:00
Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Orford Castle dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome at Orford Castle, though they need to be kept on leads throughout. While your dog can't join you inside the keep itself, they'll have the castle mound and earthworks to enjoy — and the surrounding area is genuinely excellent for a walk, with Orford quay, the marshes and coastal paths towards Butley all nearby.
Are dogs allowed at Orford Castle year round?
The listing doesn't specify any seasonal restrictions on dogs, so there's nothing to suggest they aren't welcome throughout the year. That said, it's always worth checking directly with English Heritage before you visit, particularly over busy holiday periods.
What should I know before visiting Orford Castle with my dog?
Dogs must be kept on leads, and they won't be able to accompany you up the keep itself — the interior is a tall spiral stair climb, so you'll need to factor in leaving your dog outside while you explore inside. The on-site car park has 20 spaces around 50 metres from the entrance, free for English Heritage members, with additional pay-and-display parking down at the quay. There's no café on site, but Orford village has good food options if you're looking for somewhere to stop after your visit.
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