NHER 31031 (Building record) - The Custom House

Formerly 'Customs House'.

February 1952. Listed, Grade II.
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S2) for the full, current listing details.
P. Watkins (HES), 3 July 2023.

February 1995. Field Observation.
Located and examined by E. Rose (NLA).
Set back from street behind 18th century ornate iron railings with brick piers and stone balls, scroll work and gate (which are Listed Grade II in their own right - see NHER 67138).
Passage to quay to left passes beneath house by archway.
House built about 1700 of pink brick with red brick dressings. Three bays, three storeys and attic, two piles, parapet. Façade assymetrical; two sash windows to each floor, brick band above; blocked large central window on each level. Central doorway beneath these with pilasters and canopy, beneath wooden carving of Cley Quay. Elaborate moulded cornice; assymetrical gable above parapet with window, appears to be later addition. Alleyway has conch head arch. Quay façade of rear pile is symmetrical and rendered, with red and white brick above eaves. Flush sashes below moulded bands; central pedimented doorway. Block over alley is single pile and had on quay face a carving of St George and the Dragon of very strange form, may be a recent pseudo Norman item.
Basic information from Listed Building Description with various details added by E. Rose.
Compiled by E. Rose (NLA), 9 February 1995. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 3 July 2023.

J. Lodey (NLA) notes that the customs officer at Cley was instructed to find a suitable building or place for one to house officers driven from Blakeney and Brancaster in 1725. In 1727 Cley Customs House was leased for twenty-one years. This would seem to date the building.
See (S1).

The railings and attached piers and walls in front of this property were separately listed Grade II in September 1987. These are now recorded as NHER 67138.
P. Watkins (HES), 3 July 2023.