The first mention was an advert in the Norfolk Chronicle of 26 June 1819, where the mill was for sale, described as "newly erected" and in the ownership of the Farthing family.

[2] In 1921, the windmill was sold by the Burroughes brothers to Mrs Sarah Maria Wilson for the sum of £350 and she had the mill converted to a holiday home.

In 1983, planning permission and listed building consent was sought from North Norfolk District Council to turn the mill and complex into a guesthouse and self-catering units.

Works included replacing the balcony in hardwood and converting the old cart shed to an office with accommodation.

[7] Cley Windmill is a five-storey tower mill with a stage at second floor level, twenty feet above ground.

It has a dome shaped cap with a gallery which was winded by an eight-bladed fantail, ten feet six inches in diameter.

[2] Reference for above:[2] Cley Windmill is open to the public as a guesthouse on a bed and breakfast basis.

Its image has been used on everything from tea towels through to greetings cards, tins of biscuits and fudge to a station identification (ident) between programmes for the BBC.