The River Alde is flowing towards the North sea but is prevented from reaching it by the shingle barrier of Orford Ness. This is a spit which begins at Aldeburgh and has grown southwards as shingle has been carried along and then deposited along the coast by longshore drift. The river actually reaches the sea a number of kilometres further south at Shingle Street after flowing past Orford. The marshes behind the spit have been reclaimed and are generally used for grazing.