| Dereham Area Cley
In the 15th and 16th centuries, the village overlooked the vast Glaven River Estuary and the marshes were covered at high tide allowing boats to navigate into a harbour close to Cley Church and also up as far as Glandford; as such, Cley was the main port for Holt. In 1649, a series of banks were built to protect the village from flooding but for several historical reasons, the river started to silt up forming an area of outstanding natural beauty and interest.
Today Cley overlooks the internationally famous marshes. The painting by Martin Sexton looking towards Cley Mill is an example of the interesting scenery of the area. Cley has both salt and fresh water marshes, large areas of reedbed and grazing marsh providing a variety of habitats to encourage the local species for which Cley is famous - Bittern, Bearded Tit, Sedge, Reed and Grasshopper Warblers and a selection of passage waders such as Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Pintail etc. have been seen. Other remarkable sequences of rarities are - Purple Heron, Crane, Night Heron, Black Stork, Snowy Owl, Penduline Tit, Spotted Redshank, Red necked Stint, Marsh Sandpiper and Tereck Sandpipe. There are more varieties on the shingle bank; Goldfinch. Linnet and in the winter, Snow Bunting. Cley is one of the few sites in Britain with breeding Bittern, the booming call of the male can sometimes be heard in the early morning or evening. See Bird Watch for recent sightings.
The reserve is run by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, formed in 1926 as the Norfolk Naturalists Trust by Dr. Long in the George and Dragon Hotel, being the first of its kind from which all other trusts have emerged. The hotel still retains a close association with the N.N.T. and a popular attraction in the lounge is the ‘Bird Bible’ which records the sightings of rare species and other items relating to the immediate area; it rests upon a splendid brass church lectern. Today, the village is unspoilt and busy in life but tranquil in embiance. It offers a splendid Glaven Church and one of the finest Windmills dating from 1713 immediately on the doorstep. Other assets of historical interest are an excellent Delicatessen set in the old forge; a Smokehouse producing some of the best Kippers and Oak Smoked Salmon you can purchase; a Pottery making a wide range of both original and useful items to a very high standard; an Art Gallery & Bookshop exhibiting well known local artists.
The area has many other interests - for walkers, the
Norfolk Coastal Path which links with the ancient Peddars Way), artists, sailors (boat
hire in nearby Blakeney), fishermen, windsurfers, horse riders, cyclists, golfers (with
superb courses at Sheringham, Cromer), and a visit to the seal colony on Blakeney Point is
a must. Cley is in close proximity to many stately homes, including Holkham Hall (only 8
miles away) - which also boasts one of the finest unspoilt beaches in England, Blickling
Hall, Sandringham and Felbrigg Hall.
Accommodation: Guest houses, holiday
homes and a two small hotels. |
