Heage
Windmill is a fascinating place where children can see the technology of the
past brought to life
Built
in 1797, Heage Windmill stands on the brow of the hill over-looking the village
of Nether Heage, with the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site and the Peak
District nearby. Heage Windmill, grade II * listed building, was lovingly
restored through the enthusiasm of volunteers to the high standards sets by the
English Heritage, and opened to the public in 2002. All restoration work is true
to original materials and methods. In 2004, SPAB (Society for the Protection of
Ancient buildings) awarded us a plaque to acknowledge the quality of
restoration, and the involvement of local volunteers.
Your
pupils will capture their first glimpses of the mill as they approach down the
lane to the car park. Our guides are experienced at involving children in
“hands on” activities leading them through the story of milling. All the
people you meet during your visit - the millers, the guides, and the people in
the shop, are all volunteers.
Access
to the inside of the mill is limited to fifteen people at one time. A guide will
lead you around the mill to make your visit more interesting. We ask that
visitors are careful and follow the guide’s advice at all times. You
will need to include an adult with every six children (minimum) in your group.
We
hope the wind will blow to turn the sails during your visit, but without the
wind, they will not turn.
In
the basement is the interpretation centre. There is a video telling the story of
milling, a model of how the grain was dried ready for milling, and the history
Heage Windmill in information panels around the room.
The
drying kiln is now the visitors’ centre, with a shop selling souvenirs and a
small range of drinks and ices. There are toilets including a disabled toilet.
There is wheelchair access to the ground floor of the windmill, the
interpretation centre, and the visitors’ centre.
The
Windmill is sign-posted in Heage and from the A610 and has ample car parking
space.
We
are open from Easter weekend to the end of October. The winter months are cold
and the daylight hours are short so we use the closed months for conservation
work.
School
visits are Monday to Friday, when the mill is closed to the public. The cost for
school groups is £1.50 per person (minimum £30), payable by cheque to
“Friends of Heage Windmill “. The price includes a resource pack, developed
by teachers, with ideas for projects and links into curriculum areas.
Simply
telephone Margaret Bonsall on 01773 852270, or e-mail her at elaine.lockwood@virgin.net
or wendy.hardy@btinternet.com. We will contact you about your visit and try to
meet your specific needs.