Orford, Suffolk Greeting Card

High quality greeting card of of Orford, Suffolk. This illustration depicts a view down Castle Terrace, looking past the Crown and Castle Pub and up towards Orford Castle on Castle Hill. A peaceful village on the River Alde, not far from Aldeburgh, Orford is widely regarded as one of the most charming and idyllic villages in Suffolk - but it is Orford Castle for which the village is best known.

Built in the 12th century by Henry II to rein in the power of local magnate Hugh Bigod (who ruled from nearby Framlingham Castle), Orford Castle used a unique polygonal design for its keep - with most Norman keeps being square - and when it was first built, would have been surrounded by a curtain wall. The castle saw action early in its life - being captured by the French in 1216, and changing hands several times in the Second Barons War from 1264 to 1267.

By the 16th century, Orford Castle's importance as a fortification had diminished, and its curtain wall was deconstructed. Thankfully, the keep was preserved, and - after serving as a radar station during the Second World War - Orford Castle fell into English Heritage's hands in 1962. Recently, the castle has undergone restoration work, with a lime render added to the walls to protect them from deterioration.

This Orford illustration by artist Tom Wisdom is a high-quality greeting card. For our Giclée art print of Orford Castle, click here.

Printed by high definition Jet Press on 400gsm silk stock. Designed and printed in England by a certified carbon balanced printer on paper from responsible sources.