Page 621 - Aldeburgh Festival 2022 FINAL COVERAGE BOOK

Orford village overlooks Orford Ness, a wild and wonderful 10-mile
shingle spit separated by the River Alde but linked to the mainland at
Aldeburgh. It's ranked among the most important shingle features in
the world. Take the boat across the harbour and you'll discover some
rare flora and fauna in fragile habitats. You'll also learn about how,
back in the day the remote Ness was a prime location for weapons
testing, including atomic bombs. It's hard to believe that now, though
you can see the haunting outlines of the specially constructed
buildings.

Orford Castle is an English Heritage site open year-round. - Credit:
English Heritage Photo Library

To enjoy all this and more we stayed at The Pavilion on the banks of
the River Alde, just a minute's walk from the quayside. It makes the
perfect base for exploring the coast as Aldeburgh, Woodbridge and
RSPB Minsmere are all easily reached from here. With its own private
road and five acres of land, The Pavilion is a secluded, five-bedroom
getaway, just right for spending quality time with family and friends at
any time of the year.

It's an 'upside-down' property - the master bedroom is on the top level,
with panoramic views of the river and its own private balcony. All the
other rooms are on the ground floor. The coastal chic interior is
inspired by the surrounding land and seascapes and the open-plan
living space invites the outside in, with a balcony that wraps the entire
first floor. It's bright and airy with large, bi-fold doors that lead out to a