The village of Cley-next-the–Sea stands on the River Glaven, overlooking the salt marshes and the stunning North Norfolk coastline.

In mediaeval times Cley was a significant port on the Glaven estuary, exporting goods such as barley, oats and malt. In 1405 men from Cley captured a ship called “Maryenknight” which was carrying Prince James of Scotland. The Prince was sent to London where Henry V1 held him hostage for seventeen years. James succeeded to the throne after his release.

In 1570 the village possessed 13 ships (3 ships were sent to defeat the Spanish Armada), however the port gradually silted up which resulted in leaving only marshland between the villages, much as it can be seen today.

Cley is located in an area which has been designated as being of “Outstanding Natural Beauty” and enjoys an international reputation for its bird watching reserve on the outskirts of the village.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust's new Visitor Centre at NWT Cley Marshes is now open. The building is cutting edge in design. It tucks neatly into the landscape with its curved green roof and is fronted by a ribbon of glass to provide stunning views over NWT Cley Marshes. It has a living green roof covered with sedum moss and rainwater is collected and recycled for use in flushing the loos. It is believed that with all this technology, the so called “carbon footprint” of the building is reduced by 80% compared to a building relying on non renewable energy sources.

The beach at Cley is approximately a mile away from the centre of the village and can be easily accessed by footpath or road. It is mainly shingle and provides the only direct access to Blakeney Point, where you can see the seals living in their natural environment. The roundtrip is an eight mile walk.

Two features dominate Cley. The first being the picturesque 18th century windmill, which was operational until just after the First World War and is now open to the public. The second is St. Margaret’s church next to the village green. The building was commenced in the 13th century and continued until the 15th century. The south transept has been in ruins since the 16th century. The church is listed as a venue for “Music in Country Churches” of which Prince Charles is a patron.

The village has an award winning delicatessen “Picnic Fayre”, set in an historic forge, offering a mouth-watering selection of speciality breads, cheeses, antipasti, groceries, wines and much more. The “Smokehouse” just across the road, where the fish is “smoked” on the premises offering you a variety of smoked fish such as Kippers, Smoked Salmon, Smoked Haddock and Cromer Crabs. Other shops within the village are the “Made in Cley” pottery, featuring handmade ceramics and contempory jewellery, “Pink Foot” art gallery displaying a wide range of interesting art work and small sculptures.

There are two places to eat in the village, both within a short walk of your accommodation, The George Hotel and The Three Swallows Pub.

Wiverton and Blakeney are within a mile of Cley and they also have pubs and restaurants which can be accessed by road or coastal footpath. The Georgian village of Holt is four miles inland with speciality shops catering for all tastes. Blickling Hall is about a twenty-five minutes drive away and well as being a National Trust building it is also a venue for outside concerts in the summer months with artists such as Simply Red, Van Morrison, Jools Holland and Tom Jones entertaining the crowds on warm summer nights.