Cley-next-the-Sea.

Location:
Grid Reference: TG054441
On the A149, between Cley-Next-The-Sea and Salthouse.

Facilities:
Car Park by Visitor Centre.
Visitor Centre with disabled toilets (opening hours only).
3 fully accessible hides via boardwalk.

Contacts:
Warden - Bernard Bishop, Watcher's Cottage, Cley, Holt, Norfolk NR25 7RZ - Tel: 01263 740241
email: admin@nwt.cix.co.uk
Web address: http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/norfolk/North.htm

Opening Hours/Admission:
All year (closed Mondays except Bank Holidays).
Visitor Centre open April-October 10am to 5pm. November-March 10am to 4pm.
Free to members and children; non-members £3.00.

Description of Reserves:
NWT reserve:
Car Park by the visitor centre.
To reach the centre there is a short but extremely steep ramp which wheelchair users may have difficulty getting up unaided. You need a permit to visit the reserve, which you get from the centre. The centre has a disabled toilet (only during opening hours) and great views across the marsh to the sea.

There are 3 hides that I recommend without reservation. Situated next to each other, they are reached by a boardwalk from the car park. This is a pleasant walk through the reeds with stopping points and benches along the way. They have to be the most comfortable and attractive hides I have ever visited. There are even moveable blocks of wood so that I can get to a comfortable height for viewing either sitting or standing. This is a problem that I have everywhere I go, as hides seem to be designed for men of average height not for women, like me, of average height! They overlook 3 scrapes, which always have a good number of wildfowl, waders and gulls.

The more adventurous can check out the other 3 hides but these are not recommended for wheelchair users. There is a small car park on the left hand side of the road - Cley to Salthouse, where you can access the East Bank, the end of which gives views over Arnold's Marsh, and then reaches the beach, (about 700 m in total). This path is very narrow and exposed.

The sea can be reached from the end of the Beach road where there is a paying car park (free to NWT members). There are also toilets but none for disabled. The café is well used to birders and provides basic food & drink. This area is not recommended for wheelchair users, but is suitable for those who can't walk far. This reserve is very exposed to the elements! It is part of its attractiveness but be prepared.

If you want to make further comments or need any other information, please contact us by email:
mailto:dba.access@virgin.net