Heage Windmill in Belper is a wonderful example of the only working, stone towered, multi-sailed Windmill in England. It was built in 1797 and restored back to glorious working order in 2002 and the unique grade 2 listed building is set in some of the most stunning Derbyshire countryside, with spectacular views towards the Derwent Valley and The Mills World Heritage Site.
It is located off Chesterfield Road just to the north of the Derbyshire village of Heage, in between the towns of Belper and Ripley and the entrance road is opposite the Bowmer and Kirkland offices. Car parking is available free on-site and the wonderful mill is open every Saturday and Sunday and bank holiday Monday from April through to October, 11 AM to 4 PM.
There are guided tours, the guides themselves always dressed superbly in period costume, a wonderful interpretation centre and a shop where the flour is sold, which is milled at the Windmill along with souvenirs and light refreshments.
In the early 19th century, Britain had nearly 10,000 windmills but Heage experienced fluctuating fortunes until the wonderful people at the Heage Windmill Society was formed in 1995 and restored the mill to working order. They made it their job to unearth he history of the wonderful old windmill.
The first recorded reference to the windmill was an advert in the Derby Mercury in 1791 and in 1850, two brothers, Isaac and Joseph Shaw purchased the mill, traded as millers and grocers and adapted the mill, updating it and fitting it with shuttered sails, and added a fantail to turn the in the wind. It operated like this until 1894 until the cap and four sails were blown off in a violent storm. A wonderful picture can be seen inside the windmill today of a man standing on the wreckage of the sails in front of the mill and the brake wheel protruding from the debris of the top of the tower.
When it was rebuilt, it was decided to replace the four sails with six to give the mill more power but once more the fantail was damaged in a gale in 1990 and unfortunately, possibly due to the economic situation of mills at this time, the windmill closed down. In 1966 a building preservation order was placed on the mill and the council purchased it for £350.
Luckily for visitors today, the mill has been lovingly restored by the Windmill Society, fitting new floors, new sails , but no attempt was made to open her to the public until 1989 until the involvement of the Midland Mills group who held an open day and it attracted over 500 visitors. From then on, more public openings were held with volunteer working parties helping tidy up the surrounds and clean up the mill and limit further deterioration and here with the beginnings of a much brighter future.
Today the mill has the benefit of having grants and also a considerable import from volunteer labour to keep it lovingly restored and made ready for the hundreds of visitors who come today.
The guided tours take approximately 40 min and it is worth pointing out that access to the upper parts of the mill of iron very steep stairs, although there is easy access around the outside of the mill as well as the glorious views of the Derbyshire countryside. A computerised presentation of the mill machinery is also available, but during the tour you will discover the history of the windmill, how the miller controls the mill and how stone ground flour is traditionally milled along with many anecdotes about the life of the Miller. It’s a wonderful day out for all the family and as well as selling the flour, there are lots of lovely snacks and of course hot and cold drinks as well as the souvenirs for the children. It’s a wonderful opportunity for children to discover the fascinating history of the age old practice of milling grain.