Horsey Windpump

A historic landmark beside Horsey Mere

Horsey Windpump stands beside Horsey Mere in The Broads National Park, surrounded by reedbeds, grazing marshes and the open landscapes of eastern Norfolk. Its distinctive brick tower and traditional sails make it one of the most recognisable landmarks in the Norfolk Broads, reflecting the area's long history of managing water levels across the low-lying countryside.

Built in 1912, the windpump was originally used to drain water from the surrounding marshes into the waterways of the Broads. This work helped maintain grazing land and agricultural fields in a landscape where water has always shaped how people live and work. Today, the restored windpump is cared for by the National Trust, preserving an important part of Norfolk's drainage heritage.

Visitors can explore the windpump and its surrounding landscape, with access to the building available according to National Trust opening arrangements. From the upper levels, when open, views extend across Horsey Mere, the surrounding reedbeds and the flat countryside towards the coast. The setting provides an opportunity to understand the relationship between the waterways, drainage systems and agricultural history of the Norfolk Broads.

The surrounding footpaths offer opportunities for walking through the Broadland landscape. Routes lead beside Horsey Mere, through marshes and along quiet country lanes, with opportunities to observe wetland birds and other wildlife. The nearby Horsey village and surrounding countryside provide further connections into The Broads National Park.

To the east, Horsey Gap and Horsey Beach offer a contrasting coastal landscape of sand dunes, open beaches and views across the North Sea. Walkers can combine the windpump and wetland paths with a visit to the coast, where the Norfolk Coast Path continues towards Winterton-on-Sea and the wider coastal landscapes of eastern Norfolk.

For visitors exploring Horsey Windpump and the surrounding Broads National Park, Dairy Barns offers countryside accommodation in Hickling, within easy reach of Horsey Mere and the nearby Norfolk coast. From here, visitors can discover the waterways and nature reserves around Hickling Broad, explore the historic windpump and enjoy walks through the surrounding Broadland landscape.