Higham, part of the same parish as Shirland, branches off the A61 Derby to Chesterfield road, with the main street following the line of the old Roman Rykneld Street. The village overlooks the Amber valley.

John Smedley built a Wesleyan chapel here and a school for 70 children. Both buildings have been converted into private homes.

Higham was an agricultural settlement belonging to the Turbutt family of Ogston Hall near Brackenfield.

A charter to hold fairs and markets was granted in 1243 and Higham held an annual cattle fair on the first wednesday of the new year until the start of WW2.

Higham village once had 23 wells but only 3 remain, one in the foyer of the local hotel.

Higham is now a conservation area and contains many excellent 17th century houses. It is also notable for it's pubs.