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Converted to accommodation
After milling ended, the tower mill was adapted for residential and hotel accommodation use.
Site overview
Cley Windmill stands beside the quay at Cley next the Sea. It was newly erected by 1819, when it was advertised for sale with a fantail, two pairs of French stones, flour mill and jumper. The mill was owned by the Farthing family until 1875, when it was bought by the miller Stephen Barnabas Burroughes.
The five-storey tower later worked with four double patent sails, a cast-iron windshaft, fantail and three pairs of stones. Milling ended in the early twentieth century and the building was later adapted for residential and hospitality use. Cley Windmill is Grade II* listed and now operates as hotel accommodation.
Restoration work in 2014 replaced the fan stage, fan wheel, upper walkways and sails while retaining stainless steel stocks.
Map
Map markers and directions links are provided for location reference only and do not indicate public access or permission to enter a site.
No site photograph is currently available. Images will be added as field visits are carried out.
History
Cley Windmill was built on the quay at Cley next the Sea in the early nineteenth century. It was not shown on Faden's 1797 map, and by June 1819 it was being advertised as a newly erected tower windmill with fantail, two pairs of French stones, flour mill and jumper. Its quay-side position allowed flour to be sent out by sea without land carriage.
The mill remained in the ownership of the Farthing family for much of the nineteenth century. After Dorothy Farthing died in 1875, the mill was bought by the miller Stephen Barnabas Burroughes. The five-storey tower worked as a corn mill with four double patent sails, a cast-iron windshaft, fantail and three pairs of millstones.
The windmill later ceased commercial milling and was adapted for domestic and visitor use. It survives as a Grade II* listed tower mill and now operates as hotel accommodation. Restoration work has preserved its landmark character.
In 2014 the fan stage and fan wheel were replaced in oak, upper walkways were renewed in oak, and a new set of larch sails was fitted while the stainless steel stocks were retained.
Timeline
1819
New tower windmill advertised
The newly erected tower windmill at Cley was advertised with fantail, two pairs of French stones, flour mill and jumper.
1875
Stephen Barnabas Burroughes bought mill
After Dorothy Farthing died, the mill was bought by the miller Stephen Barnabas Burroughes.
2014
Sails and fan stage renewed
The fan stage, fan wheel, upper walkways and sails were replaced during restoration work.
Sources and records
Norfolk Mills: Cley tower windmill
Cley Windmill history
Wikipedia article: Cley Windmill
Windmill World entry: Cley-next-the-Sea windmill
Cley Windmill history
Wikipedia article: Cley Windmill
Windmill World entry: Cley-next-the-Sea windmill