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HEAGE WINDMILL / HARDWICK ESTATE - (01/05/05)

Derbyshire was our destination for the day with visits to Heage Windmill, located just to the west of Ripley, (map) and nearby Hardwick Hall, located just the other side of the M1 motorway, (map).

Built in 1797 Heague Windmill is England's only stone towered multi sailed mill. It normally operates with six sails but currently only has four after rot was found in two sails during winter maintenance work.
The windmill was first opened to the public in 2002 after restoration from a derelict state by the Heage Windmill Society. It is a great place for a visit with tours from costumed guides explaining the history behind the mill and how it works. For more details click here to visit the Heage Windmill website.
The National Trust's Hardwick Estate was our next destination for the day, commencing with a brief look at Stainsby Mill (centre and left images). Stainsby, like Heage Windmill is another example of a working flour mill, this time powered by water instead of wind.
The 'new' Hardwick Hall was completed in 1597 and built by Elizabeth Shrewsbury, more commonly known as 'Bess of Hardwick'. Bess rose from relatively humble beginnings to become one of Elizabethan England's richest and most powerful woman. Inside, the hall remains largely unaltered since it's completion in 1597 with spectacular interiors, including 16th century furniture, paintings, tapestries and a 166 foot Long Gallery.
At the 300 acre Hardwick Estate there are also the remains of the old hall that was never completed along with stables, parkland, a stone centre and the Hardwick Inn, built in 1607 by John Ballechous, a loyal workman of Bess of Hardwick.