Cley next the Sea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cley next the Sea |
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 Cley Windmill |
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 Cley next the Sea
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| Area | 8.63 km2 (3.33 sq mi) |
| Population | 437 (parish, 2011 census) |
| • Density | 51/km2 (130/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TG045436 |
| • London | 129 mi (208 km) |
| Civil parish |
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| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HOLT |
| Postcode district | NR25 |
| Dialling code | 01263 |
| Police | Norfolk |
| Fire | Norfolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
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Cley next the Sea (pronounced like "clay") is a charming village in Norfolk, England. It sits right on the River Glaven, about 4 miles (6.4 km) north-west of Holt. Even though its name says "next the Sea," the coastline has changed over time.
This historic village was once a very busy port. Ships would come and go, trading all sorts of goods. Today, it's known for its famous Cley Windmill, which is an old building from the 1700s. It was even owned by the family of singer James Blunt! Cley is also a popular holiday spot and home to the amazing Cley Marshes, a special place for birds.
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Exploring Cley next the Sea
Cley is part of a beautiful area called the Norfolk Coast AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). This means the landscape is protected because it's so special. The main road, the A149, goes right through the village. It can get quite busy in summer because the streets are narrow.
The village has a population of 437 people, based on a 2011 count. It's a peaceful place with a rich past and important natural areas.
A Look Back in Time
The name "Cley" comes from an old Anglo-Saxon word. It means a settlement near the sea where there was a lot of clay.
In the Domesday Book, a very old record from 1086, Cley was listed as a village with 38 households. It was part of the land owned by King William I.
There's a ruined building on the marshes called Blakeney Chapel. Even though it's called a chapel, it was probably never a church. It was most likely an old iron factory.
Cley's Port History
Cley used to be one of the busiest ports in England! Ships traded many things here, like grain, fish, spices, and cloth. You can still see buildings with special "Flemish gables" in the village. These remind us of the trade Cley had with countries like Belgium and the Netherlands.
However, the port slowly filled up with mud and sand. This meant ships couldn't get through anymore. Because of this, Cley isn't "next the sea" in the same way it used to be. Some old buildings that were once by the quay (the loading dock) are still there.
The Famous Cley Windmill
One of the most famous buildings is the Cley Windmill. This tall, five-story windmill was built in the 1700s. For many years, it was owned by the family of the singer James Blunt. It even worked as a bed and breakfast! The windmill was sold in 2006 but still welcomes guests.
The Cley Windmill has appeared in films, like the 1949 movie Conspirator with Elizabeth Taylor. Many artists have also painted it, showing how important it is to the area.
From Port to Holiday Spot
After the port closed, Cley needed a new way to support itself. In the late 1800s, it became a popular holiday resort. People started coming to Cley to relax and enjoy the coast.
An interesting story from Cley's history involves the poet Rupert Brooke. He was staying in Cley in August 1914 when news arrived that Britain was entering the First World War. He woke up from a dream about the war to find it was really happening.
Cley's Local Government
Cley is part of the North Norfolk area. This area is represented in the UK Parliament by a person called a Member of Parliament (MP). The current MP for North Norfolk is Steff Aquarone from the Liberal Democrats party. An MP is a person elected by local people to speak for them in the government.
St Margaret's Church
The village is home to St Margaret's, Cley, a beautiful church with a long history. It was first built in the Norman times (around 1066-1154). The main part of the church was finished in the 1300s. It's a "Grade I listed building," which means it's a very important historic building.
Nature's Paradise: Cley Marshes
The marshes around Cley are super important for birds. Many rare birds live and visit here. The Cley Marshes bird reserve has been looked after by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust since 1926. It's the oldest wildlife reserve of its kind in Britain!
You can see amazing birds like avocets, bearded tits, and spoonbills here. In winter, birds like brent geese and wigeons come to visit. Cley is a great spot for birds that are migrating (traveling long distances).
In 2007, a new visitor center opened at Cley Marshes. It's a great place to learn about the birds and enjoy the stunning views across the marsh to the sea. You can find yellow horned poppies growing on the shingle bank.
Protecting the Coastline
The salt and fresh water marshes at Cley used to be well protected from the sea. But over time, the natural shingle bank that protected them started to wear away. It became too expensive to keep repairing it.
In 1953, a huge storm hit the coast, and much of the shingle bank was destroyed. Another big storm in 1978 also caused flooding. Now, with coastal erosion and rising sea levels (due to global warming), there are worries about the future of the marshes.
Different plans are being considered to protect the coast, but many local people are concerned that these special marshes could be lost to the North Sea.
War Memorials
Inside St Margaret's Church, there are two stone tablets that remember the people from Cley who lost their lives in the First World War. These memorials list the names of soldiers, sailors, and other service members who bravely served their country.
