Cley Windmill Hotel

Would you like to spend a night in a windmill? In the small North Norfolk town of Cley, you’re in for a treat.    The Cley Windmill is rated as one of the quirkiest hotels in England. “The Windmill is situated in a very scenic spot and has been the subject of many documentaries and feature films.

A bit of history

Today’s hotel is located in the building of the old windmill, which was built in the early 18th century. The engineering structure has stood the test of time, surviving fires, floods and other disasters. The last owner of the mill passed away in 1919, after which the structure was abandoned for several years.

It was the enterprising Sarah Wilson who breathed life into the old structure. The woman saw great potential in the old building and decided to use the textured architecture to create something more perfect. And so the Cley Windmill Hotel was born.

Remember we said that the windmill neighborhood was famous among filmmakers? Well, in 1949 it was the location for the filming of The Conspirator, the film that brought Elizabeth Taylor international fame.  

Sarah Wilson employed brilliant architects and engineers to work on the hotel. She wanted to keep the windmill blades and millstones in their original form but also create an extraordinary guesthouse.

The Windmill today

The interior of the hotel is no different from the impressive cover. The cosy rooms are not only in the windmill itself – the stables and dovecote house with a layout from 1713 are also ready to receive guests. The mill had to be reconstructed, so each floor has a unique design and charm:

• On the ground floor there is a lounge with a restaurant and a fireplace. The interior fully reflects the atmosphere of the 18th century. On the same floor there are themed rooms.
• The first floor of the hotel is represented by themed rooms, among which are the “Wheat” and “Barley” rooms.   
• The third floor (the mill starts tapering off). Only the comfortable “Stone” room is found here.
• The fourth floor has the “Wheel Room”.
• The fifth floor invites guests to revel in the blissful slumber of a luxurious bath. Views from this room take in the marvellous scenery.

Guests have the opportunity to climb to the top floor to see the old mill mechanism in action. It’s an impressive sight to behold!