The Alde & Ore Association
Taking care of the
Alde & Ore Estuary
The area
The rivers Alde, Ore and Butley lie within the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape (formerly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). From the upper inland valleys to the coastal marshland and shingle beaches, the area provides a unique habitat for an abundance of birdlife, fauna and flora, recognised by several special protective environmental designations. Habitats include grassland, reedbeds, mudflats, lagoons and the second largest area of vegetated shingle in Britain.
The Estuary is a tranquil expanse of water that offers an amenity for swimmers, sailors, canoers and fishermen in harmony with wildlife from the tidal head at Snape to the mouth at Shingle Street.
The ten-mile shingle spit, Orford Ness, bounding the eastern side of the rivers, is an internationally important National Nature Reserve.
The raised river walls, which contribute to this unique combination of natural and man-made landscape, form one of the most stunning stretches of Britain’s coastal and estuary walks.
The area has an intriguing history, with its castle, Martello towers and the Cold War secrets of Orford Ness. It is host to many arts events and festivals including the famous Aldeburgh Festival, and the concert venue of Snape Maltings is recognised as a world-class cultural centre.
