Visit the charming ‘Old Lady by the Sea' on the bracing Norfolk coast, for an exquisitely warm and inviting break that will restore the wind in your sails.
  • Sleeps: 2 per room
  • Bedrooms: 9
  • Minimum stay: 1 night (Sun-Thurs)

A stay at Cley Windmill comes with a certain pedigree attached.  Recently listed at the top of ‘Four of the Best Places to Stay in Norfolk’ by the Telegraph, and noted by The Times as one of the best British Autumn Breaks, you can rest assured that your escape to this stunningly characterful and circular building will be to the very highest standards of comfort and luxury.

A five-storey tower mill originally built in the early 19th century, the building has been lovingly restored and renovated to become a magnificent guest house, boasting high-quality oak fittings, a welcoming circular lounge sumptuously filled with antique furniture, and an upstairs gallery – accessible to all guests – which features breathtaking views over the marshes.  Cley is one of the very best locations for birdwatching, so don’t forget to pack your binoculars!

Choose from six ensuite double or twin rooms within the building, each with their own unique character.  Outside the mill, the Boat House and Long House are additional suites with their own front doors for extra privacy, and the original Dovecote has been expertly restored into an authentic flint-walled mezzanine cottage for an extra helping of secluded comfort.

The River Room, originally used for grain storage, features views on three sides and includes doors that open out right onto the gardens, with wonderful scenery provided by the River Glaven.  The Miller’s Room, once home to the miller and his wife, features pretty, hand-painted furniture and views of the walled garden, with its own lobby and private entrance.

The Wheat Chamber is a picturesque, circular tower room with glorious views across the river and marshes, while the Barley Bin – originally a storeroom for flour – is a South-facing haven that makes the most of the natural light, with views of the village and a wood-panelled bathroom that includes a beautiful, claw-footed antique bath…simply fill up with bubbles and relax.

The Stone Room features a high ceiling with magnificent oak beams, on which the grinding stones were once traditionally turned.  Comfortably furnished, the room includes a private doorway that leads to a balcony encircling the Mill – a platform that provides some of the very best views Norfolk has to offer.

The newly-converted Wheel Room, with its enjoyable position at the very top of the windmill, features the very best of the exceptional views and is fit for the most adventurous of holidaymakers!  Accessed via a carpeted wooden ladder outside the Stone Room, booking these two rooms together is perfect for slightly larger groups, to make an exclusive suite right at the top of the windmill.

Keep reading

At a glance

  • Converted windmill in Cley, set within the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, featuring six ensuite double or twin rooms, two private double suites and a self-catering holiday cottage for up to four people.
  • Easily accessed by car, limited parking is available in adjacent car parks.
  • Children are welcome, though Wheel, Stone and Wheat Rooms are not advisable for very young children. Cots are not provided, though high chairs for the dining room are available.
  • Cley is an excellent area for exploring natural beauty, coastal walks and relaxation, with small local shops available nearby for essentials. Evening meals can be booked at Cley Windmill in advance.

Features

  • Family Friendly
  • Seaside Breaks

Facilities

Six ensuite double or twin rooms, two private double suites (inclusive of full english breakfast) and a self-catering holiday cottage for up to four people are available. Please view property website for individual details on the room facilities. 

Local activities

Beaches, swimming, coastal walks, horse riding, steam railway, historic sites, local shops, walking, cycling, bird-watching, restaurants.

More information

Featuring a luxurious four-poster bed, the Wheel Room really makes for a rather spectacular Room with a View!

Boat House and Long House include their own front doors to make exceptionally cosy and spacious private suites for two.  Both are comfortably furnished with king-sized four poster beds, and offer views over the courtyard or marshes.

Dovecote, the flint-walled self-catering cottage that’s ideal for larger groups, is adjacent to the Mill’s walled garden, and incorporates a ground-floor living area with open-plan kitchen, a bedroom with twin beds or a king-size, and bathroom.  The mezzanine gallery houses a cosy double bed under a vaulted wooden ceiling.

Dine in sociable style at Cley Windmill, with delicious English country-style cuisine by candlelight available almost every evening – and before you enjoy your meal in the traditional beamed dining room, why not enjoy an aperitif by the roaring lounge fire, or on finer evenings, out on the lawn looking out over the reeds and the marshes.

During the day, you’ll find exploring the surrounding area is a natural delight.  Cley is a little coastal village that lies within the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, featuring plenty of friendly local faces – including a Sunday paper seller whose shop is his own sitting-room window!  Enjoy plenty of bracing walks, with local shops and areas of interest nearby.

Come and pay a visit to Cley Windmill, the ‘Old Lady by the Sea’ with plenty of life and energy left in her – and return to your daily life feeling relaxed, revived and restored.

Things to note

Minimum stay of 2 nights for weekend stays and bank holidays, single night stays are possible Sun-Thur inclusive, additional children under 12 are £35 per night. From £159 per room per night for bed and full English Breakfast for two.

Where you'll be staying

Cley-next-the-Sea, Norfolk

What the guests of Cley Windmill say

“Everyone was great from top to bottom: the chef couldn’t do enough for
us; the room was immaculate; the waitress service was some of the best I
have ever experienced – couldn’t do enough for us; the lovely ladies in
the shop who welcomed us were so caring and warm; you gave us perfect
service, perfect food, in a perfect location. We had a wonderful time.”
Ivor and Belinda

“A big ‘Thank You’ to you and your staff for the welcome you gave us
for our stay …also for the generosity you showed for our Golden Wedding
Celebrations. The night in the windmill, the wonderful food and the lovely people we met all made the occasions one we will never forget.
Thank you to you all.”
John and Shirley

“Bird watchers nationwide know Cley Windmill as a landmark. Our ambition
was to stay in the mill and we jumped at the opportunity when it arose.
Since then we’ve been once or twice a year and LOVE IT! Sheer luxury in
romantic, natural surroundings – the sound of the wind through the reeds
and geese flying over; the smell of bacon and the taste of good local
produce; a warm room full of character; a comfortable bed; friendly,
helpful staff… What more could one wish for?”
Penny and Harry

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