The village is picturesque and its windmill figures in many calendars; it is the introductory picture before TV news from the Eastern region. There is a well-patronised delicatessen, a restaurant, smokery for fish, tea room, second-hand book shop, small art gallery and craft shop. The village is particularly well-known to bird watchers because the wetlands and reed beds of the well-known reserve attract an interesting resident population of birds and many migrants. The village is well-placed for other good bird watching sites along the North Norfolk coast. 

The beach is generally shingle and allows swimming at all stages of the tide. In recent years there have been increasing areas of sand and thin stone covering at low tide which is excellent for swimming in warm weather. Hardy souls swim all year round!

The nearby large village of Blakeney is at the head of a tidal estuary protected from the open sea by the long spit of sand and shingle ending in Blakeney Point (National Trust). It is a popular place for sailing and “crabbing”. At Blakeney Point, reached by boat or on foot, there is a large protected tern colony during the breeding season. Seals bask on the sand at the Point.

To the East are the holiday resorts of Sheringham and Cromer. The beach at Sheringham is sandy and safe for bathing at the lower half of the tide. There is a popular repertory theatre in the summer. A full range of shops can be found in Sheringham or in the market town of Holt four miles to the South of Cley. A steam train runs from Sheringham to Holt.

The National Trust properties of Sheringham Park, Felbrigg and Blickling, are all within easy reach. Among other attractions are Langham Glass, the Muckleburgh military and aviation collection, Thursford mechanical organs and Sheringham “Splash” swimming pool – all situated within a few miles of Cley. There are golf courses at Sheringham, West Runton and Cromer. 

Local links that may be of interest:

Take a tour of Cley – Cley.org gives a feel of the place

Cley Nature Reserve – Opening times, prices, visitor centre

Blakeney Point Nature Reserve – Seals, visiting, great walks

Boat trips to the Seals – Get up close to the growing seal colony at Blakeney Point

Cley Smoke House – for the best kippers on the coast

Picnic Fayre – Finalist in Deli of the Year, 2010