Cley Windmill

About Cley Windmill

Cley Windmill is a converted eighteenth-century tower mill standing on the edge of the marshes at Cley next the Sea, with views over the reed beds towards Blakeney Point. The mill stopped working in the early twentieth century and has been run as accommodation for decades; the sails, gallery and much of the internal timber remain. It is one of the more distinctive places to stay on the Norfolk coast, and the position on the Cley and Blakeney reserves makes it a favourite with birdwatchers.

There are around ten bedrooms in total. Six are in the tower itself, reached by narrow stairs and named for the building's working past, including the Wheat Chamber, Barley Bin and Miller's Room; the remaining rooms are in the adjoining Boathouse, Long House and stable buildings and are easier to reach. Interiors are period country in style, with four-posters in some rooms, wet rooms or traditional bathrooms, and wifi throughout. The circular sitting room and the gallery walkway around the tower are open to guests.

Breakfast is included and served in the beamed dining room, and dinner is offered on most nights as a set menu eaten together, which gives the place a house-party feel. Local seafood, Norfolk meat and seasonal vegetables dominate. The mill is also let out whole for weddings and family gatherings, so it is worth checking availability if you are planning around a specific date.

It suits couples, birdwatchers and anyone who wants somewhere with genuine character rather than hotel facilities. The Cley Marshes visitor centre is a short walk, the coast path passes the mill, and Blakeney, Salthouse and Holt are close by. There is no lift, the tower stairs are steep and narrow, and it is not set up for young children, so the ground-floor and outbuilding rooms are the better choice for anyone with limited mobility.