Pictures of Heage

About Heage

This is a somewhat straggled village, divided into two parts, of which Heage is one and Nether Heage, the other. The village lies a short distance from the beauty spot Carsington Water, between the market town's of Ripley and Belper, and is in what is known as the Amber Valley, a lovely rural landscape which has been farmed for centuries. It still has ancient farmhouses, surrounded by fields full of grazing cattle and sheep.

Agriculture has always been important in these parts, and there still remains relics from when the landscape was dotted with furnaces for the coal and ironwork industries, at their height during the Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th century.

The village has scattered housing, some being the distinctive stone cottages of the region, others are grand houses belonging to a long gone era, and there are smart new small housing developments. The oldest house in the village is probably the Yew Tree Studio. It was formerly the home of the man responsible for bringing piped water into the village, Joseph Spendlove, who owned the local builders, joiners and undertaker's, Bowmer and Kirkland.

Heage Hall, dating back to the 15th century, lies in nether Heage. This is now a farm, but the historic nature of the building and its age, gives way to local legends of ghostly sightings at the farm. Two of the ghosts are thought to be a husband and wife, owners of the hall in the 17th century. The lady is believed to have been seen wandering the house, and her husband George Pole, an eccentric dandy, is sometimes seen wandering the fields with his dogs.

The historic, six sailed Heage Windmill has connections with Heage Hall, it was owned by the Shore family who lived at the hall, along with a watermill at the bottom of Dungley Hill. The watermill is no longer in existence, but the windmill, a landmark for miles around, stands as a tall, glowing white building, proudly proclaiming its past. It is fully restored, and is in use milling flour which can be purchased from the mill visitors centre. Set against a backdrop of glorious open countryside, this is a lovely visitor attraction to see, admire and explore. Another noted attraction in the village is a red post box bearing the initials of Edward VII, one of only a few in the country.

St. Luke's church has a fascinating history, formerly a wooden structure, the church perished in a gale of 1545. It was replaced with the present church, built in 1661 and later added to early in the 19th century. Despite having no tower or spire, it is a dignified church building with the adornment of a small, unusual octagonal bell-tower at its roof-line.

In spite of its lack of what are considered to be the essential ingredients for an English village, village green and pond, Heage is a place with an abundance of charm. It's leafy lanes are both pleasant and interesting to wander and visitors will find all the usual village amenities, including pubs - one, the White Hart, is an historic 400 year old building of brick and timber-frame which still has many original features.

This friendly village makes a delightful place to stay, it is ideal for anyone wishing to discover the glorious Peak District National Park or the beautiful Sherwood Forest, which lies around 40 miles away in an easterly direction.

Attractions in the area include Riber Castle and Cromford Mill.