Nestled peacefully between Ripley and Belper in Derbyshire lies a delightful  village offering far more than initially apparent for a perfect day trip.

Heage is perhaps most celebrated for its windmill, yet attracts numerous visitors to its classic  pubs, positioned just thirty minutes from Derby’s city centre.

It’s excellent location for a leisurely afternoon walk, with plenty of opportunities to pause for refreshments or hearty pub fare along the route.

The distinctive name stems from the Anglo-Saxon term ‘Heegge’, meaning high or elevated, reflecting its agricultural heritage. The village comprises two sections, Heage and Nether Heage, though neither possesses a traditional ‘centre’, instead featuring houses dotted along various lanes, with the windmill standing serenely on the outskirts.

Windmill

The village’s centrepiece is undoubtedly its windmill, remarkable not only for its construction, which commenced in 1791, but also for its distinctive six-sailed stone tower. It stands as the sole surviving windmill of its type in the nation and continues to attract visitors eager to witness this historical landmark.

This magnificent mill operated until 1919, when damage necessitated extensive restoration work. Each sail reportedly weighs approximately one tonne, whilst the tower itself was constructed using robust local sandstone.

In 1965, it finally received ‘listed status’ and remains carefully maintained, having benefited from significant structural beam replacements in 2003. A visitor recently took to TripAdvisor to share their enthusiasm: “Brilliant visit to Heage Windmill; learnt such a lot and got to have a go with the sails!

“The team here has a fabulous knowledge of what it was like being ‘Windy Miller’ back in the day, and we even came away with some flour from the actual mill. Cannot recommend highly enough.”

Another reviewer wrote: “This really is a wonderful place to visit. Beautifully preserved and so well looked after. The very kind people running the mill were so kind to watch our dogs while we had the pleasure of such a great tour and demonstration.”

Pubs

The village of Heage boasts three traditional pubs – The Eagle Tavern, The Black Boy and The Spanker Inn, all conveniently located within strolling distance of one another. Nestled in the heart of Heage, positioned between its two counterparts, sits the Black Boy, which one patron praised as being “a lovely place.”

They said: “Locals, visitors, ramblers and even dogs – just as a pub should be! The food was lovely and very fresh. Would recommend.”

Meanwhile, others find themselves enjoying refreshments at the Spanker Inn, a “brilliant little pub” cherished by the local community, which is preparing to welcome new proprietors. One diner revealed: “We stayed nearby on holiday. We visit this area about twice a year and always go to the Spanker for a meal.

“We are never disappointed. Plenty of choice on the menu, good prices and good food. Good atmosphere and service.”

For those seeking a vibrant setting with frequent live music and an authentic village atmosphere, the Eagle Tavern serves as a community focal point. Its quiz nights, special events and live sport screenings attract visitors from throughout the surrounding area in search of quality ale and good company.

Guests have praised it as a “warm and welcoming pub” featuring a “lovely” outdoor seating area, perfect for sunny days. When visiting the windmill, it’s effortless to find yourself hopping between these charming local establishments.

Morley Park

Nestled within Heage village is Morley Park, a location of considerable historical importance, having once been among the seven Royal parks contained within the Duffield Frith. This extensive forest served as an enclosed territory for hunting and grazing, under the ownership of the Crown.

Throughout the industrial revolution, it evolved into a significant ironworks location, complete with blast furnaces that now hold Grade II listed status. The two striking stone furnaces continue to tower at approximately 40 feet in height following their 1986 restoration, and can be located near the A38.