The Isle of Secrets - Orford Ness (4K)

Orford Ness is an extraordinary location. Some of the military buildings have been retained and allowed to naturally decay. The site includes the Cobra Mist radar masts built in early 40’s.
WG Sebald wrote about a journey to Orford Ness in his book The Rings of Saturn. Sebald found it a desolate lonely place. For me it is one of the most extraordinary places in the whole of Britain.

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Music
Amber - VYEN
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Glacier - Patrick Patrikios

Map: Open Street Map “© OpenStreetMap contributors” made using data available under the Open Database Licence

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Shot in 4K on a Olympus OM-D EM-1 mark 2 with audio recorded with a Rode Wireless GO

My Walking kit (amazon affiliate link - I earn a small commission on purchases)

[EddusPoet]

I recently read Daphne Du Maurier’s short story The Breakthrough which is about an obscure military base on the suffolk coast undertaking strange experiments with consciousness and life and death. Watching this I can see what landscape inspired her to write the story! Amazing video, thank you!

[geoffpoole]

Growing up in Ipswich, Orford was a regular destination on week-end afternoons. I can remember a WW2 landing craft being used as the ferry boat to Orford Island. There's a footpath near the castle that takes you to the Butley river; there used to be a ferry you had to book in advance if you wanted to get across the river. The "ferry" was a bloke with a rowing boat. Not too far from Orford is Bawdsey Manor which was where radar was developed. It used to be an RAF base. Just outside Bawdsey is East Lane, where you'll find the remains of a WW2 coastal defence battery. A fascinating part of Suffolk that's well worth exploring.

[PracticalKen]

Hello from Muskegon, Michigan, USA. Thank you for sharing your adventure. I will be in the area in the fall and was curious about this location. Great job. 👍

[davesnelling]

Such a bleak place, yet it appeared to give off a sense of mystery coupled with the pursuit of destruction, I think your experience captured this and it came across in abundance, the sound track music for this vid was just perfect, haunting and cold war thought provoking, this is probably your best one so far John, thank you matey, loved it.
Dave in Thailand.

[orfordpiece]

Great to see this video. It brought back many fond memories for me. My Father was attendant of Orfordness Lighthouse and I spent many hours on the Ness with him during that time and even learned to drive on the roads and tracks over there.

[johnharney]

I first found your films when I was in hospital last year, I had heard of most of the places you go to but couldn’t point to them on a map, which what makes it so interesting. I really love your films. Sebald is a wonderful writer and I’m really interested in anything to do with him. Thanks again John.PS I met Roger Deakin a number of times, a sad loss

[nanookofthenorth]

I lived just across the river from there while posted at RAF Bentwaters in the 1980’s & 1990’s. Never even knew that existed! I thought it was just an area of open ground between Orford & the sea. Your intro brought back a flood of memories of Orford...many wonderful evenings at the King’s Head,

[trinovantian]

When I visited I got chatting to one of the staff members that grew up in Orford. On asking about The Rendlesham incident he told me he was a contract worker at the base during that time and whatever happened had really shaken up the US personnel. He also mentioned seeing a large glowing object himself on the Ness that he couldn’t explain…..he was an extremely pleasant man and very down to earth.

[stevegasparutti]

Many thanks for another lovely walk. Something special about the Suffolk coast. So much more isolated and undiscovered than the more well known and tourist favoured Norfolk coastline. We had our holiday at Saxmundham this year and loved it.

[jim.m]

Wow, fascinating spot cheers John. And so close to Rendlesham, makes sense.

[welchman]

Just stumbled upon this brilliant upload. Thank you. The drawback, however, is I now have to watch all your other postings lol. Thanks again

[jimmycburfield]

Wow!!! I’m 46, A confirmed Cumbrian I used to spend my childhood holidays in Ipswich at my Aunts. I loved this area and this castle as a child I thought it was mysterious.it’s brilliant to see it still is.

[LoisDavidsonArt]

So uncanny; stunning yet terrifying too... Thanks so much John, for the history, your thoughts and the amazing atmosphere that you always manage to capture in spades! Your cinematography here is spot on, the imagery is hauntingly beautiful yet scary too, it's inspiring me to paint yet again.

[seanjamescameron]

What a fascinating place. Will have to watch this a few times to take it all in. Amazing what hidden secrets this country has.

[christyler]

Totally captivating visuals and thoughtful commentary. Thank you

[mctasty]

You are such a pro, love the way you put sound an vision together, you make it look easy i admire your passion.

[michaelcooke]

Just fantastic to watch, great commentary. Glad I discovered your channel, such a wonderful rabbit hole to disappear down!

[Ben_Mdws]

Lovely part of the world - we visited during a stay in Aldeburgh. Smashing memories, thank you John.

[sonic-factory]

I love the production of your videos, amazingly chilled, great photography & music, interest insights.

[jamesianbarber]

Thank you John - I had no idea this place even existed - Defo a trip up the A12 is needed - have a great week.