The pocket size village of Horsey is located on the edge of the Broads in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Horsey has always had to do battle for its survival against the sea, back in days past it actually used to be an island in a bay and its name means isle of horses, though whether horses were kept on this island who can say.  Perhaps the name was referring to the rolling white horses which break on the shore. Back in 1938 the village was once again cut off for four and half months when the North Sea broke through the dunes. Holiday accommodation is available in the village and also close by.

In olden days Horsey was known as a smuggling village.  Contraband was landed on shore and then distributed by the use of barges and the Norfolk Broads. If word came that the authorities were in the area the alarm was raised by using the sails of the local mills, amongst them the old mill at Horsey. Marshman (men who managed the broads - harvested the reeds etc) were quite often in league with the smugglers and would stop the sails of their mill at the St. Andrews (diagonal) cross. Because of the great height of the mills and the flatness of the terrain this signal could be seen by the next mill along who would also position their sails the same and so on and so forth. So it was that a message could travel from Yarmouth to Horsey in a quarter of an hour, much faster than a customs man could ride. To start the sails turning again small boys would be sent up a sail and their weight would start the machines turning again. 

The 1900 acres that make up Horsey Mere is a wildfowl refuge that attracts thousands of resident and migratory birds with Marsh Harriers and Cranes a regular sight. 

The Horsey Windpump that we see today built in 1911 is a four storey drainage mill owned and managed by the National Trust and open to the public during the months of May to September.  You can climb its lofty heights where there are fine views out over the watery landscape, where small boats dip and bob. Or just stand and wathc the clouds being ferried across the wide empty Norfolk sky. A small shop Staithe Stores sells drinks and ice creams is located on the site.  The village has a local inn but for provisions you will need to visit the inland village of Martham.  The coast at Horsey has miles of sandy beaches quite often frequented by seals.  Good walking and bird watching country.