Innovative wildlife hide offers new vistas at Cley Marshes

We have installed a new wildlife hide ‘on wheels’ at Cley Marshes thanks to generous donations from the late Robert Gillmor, renowned UK wildlife artist, and with support from Cley Bird Club.

The Gillmor Discovery Hide is a unique structure that has been created as part of a wider project that is helping the nature reserve and its wildlife adapt to the impacts of climate change.

It replaces a popular wildlife hide previously found along the shingle beach that was destroyed in the big storm of 2013. The new hide has been put on wheels, to protect it from the same fate, allowing site staff to tow it to safety when a major storm is forecasted.

In tribute to Robert Gillmor, the hide features a series of his best-known artworks. For the last 25 years of his life, Robert lived and worked in Cley, exploring and celebrating the wildlife that made a home on the North Norfolk coast through his iconic linocut prints.

A group of smiley people in warm coats and hats, some carrying binoculars, stood outside the new Gilmor Discovery Hide at Cley

Emily Gillmor, Robert Gillmor’s daughter, said: ‘We are really delighted to see the completion of this imaginative and innovative reintroduction of the North Hide on Cley Marshes.

‘It is a great honour that the NWT has chosen to name it after Robert Gillmor. Cley Marshes was his favourite birding ground and there couldn’t be a more fitting memorial. He would have been thrilled to think of the benefit and enjoyment this wonderful addition will bring to visitors to the nature reserve.’

Dulcie Humphrey, our Legacies Officer, said: ‘We are thrilled to celebrate Robert Gillmor’s passion for Cley’s wildlife through the installation of a new wildlife hide. Our deepest thanks to the Gillmor family for their ongoing support.

‘We look forward to inviting you to enjoy some of Robert’s work adorning the inside of the wildlife hide and if you take a look from the windows, you might just catch sight of one of his favourite subjects!’

A close up of a wildlife hide on wheels. It is a metal container with wood panelling on the bottom half.

Cley and Salthouse Marshes is one of the best-known nature reserves in the UK. Visited by birdwatchers, walkers and sightseers from around the country, the site is very special thanks to the unusual variety of habitats it is home to, including salt and freshwater marsh, reedbed and saline lagoons.

Across the nature reserve, six wildlife hides – including the new Robert Gillmor Discovery Hide - offer fantastic views across pools and scrapes that the wildlife charity specially manages to attract breeding and migratory birds.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Gillmor Discovery Hide located?

The new hide is located just inland from the shingle beach on the west side of Cley Marshes. It is approximately a 10-minute walk from the beach car park. Parking here is free for NWT members. Please be aware that car park parking charges apply to non-members.

You can reach the hide on foot by using permissive and public footpaths found across the nature reserve.

Do I need to pay to enter the hide?

No, entry to the hide is free of charge.

When does the Gillmor Discovery Hide open?

The hide is open every day, dawn till dusk.

What can you see from the hide?

The Gillmor Discovery Hide overlooks the North Scrape. Common species found here include avocet, lapwing and oystercatcher in summer. Birds including brent geese, pink footed geese and pintail can be spotted in the winter.

For more information about the different species found at the nature reserve throughout the year, visit the Cley and Salthouse Marshes web page.

Why is the hide on wheels?

As sea level rises, we expect to experience more flooding at Cley Marshes during winter storms. In previous years, the force of flood water has damaged the wildlife hide located here. The solution – a hide on wheels! Our new wildlife hide is positioned on a trailer, allowing us to tow it to safety when a major storm is forecast.