In the heart of Derbyshire’s countryside, step back in time at Crich Tramway Village.
I’m standing at the roadside, dipping my hand into a bag of sherbet lemons, listening to the hum of overhead wires and the rattle and clank of a passing tram. The afternoon sun warms my back and the fresh Derbyshire air is soft and gentle.
It sounds, smells and tastes of childhood.
Not that I lived in Derbyshire.
Nor did trams run past my front door.
But on a visit to The National Tramway Village in Crich, that doesn’t really matter.
I’m just getting into the spirit of the thing!
Step back in time at Crich Tramway
Wander down a recreated cobbled street, each building whispering its history. The Derby Assembly Rooms façade, once lost in a 1963 fire, now stands proud, sheltering exhibitions like Survive & Thrive and Century of Trams. Here, we see trams from the horse‑drawn days to the sleek electric era, including rare footage of Blackpool’s fleet.
Stop off at the Red Lion, an authentic English pub originally in Stoke-on-Trent, the bricks transported and carefully rebuilt. Almost next door is Barnett’s sweet shop, filling the air with sugar nostalgia.
At the roadside, look out for recovered and restored street lights, post-boxes and benches, and don’t miss the Bundy Clock at Town End Terminus and The Exhibition Hall windows, rescued from the Doncaster tram depot.
After wandering the exhibition halls, I board a horse‑drawn tram, so slow that Dobbin hardly breaks a sweat. Then I upgrade to a vintage electric tram; doors creak, wheels hum, and I’m not just visiting history, I’m riding it.
Whichever tram you choose, board at Terminus Town End near the Assembly Rooms and rattle along the street, getting on and off at will.
Ride the trams at Crich
Alight at Stephenson Street, Victoria Park for the children’s play area and the main entrance or Wakebridge for a beautiful woodland walk.
Better yet, stay on until the end of the line and take a trip to Glory Mine, an old quarry left over from the hazardous days of lead mining.
A narrow path takes you from the stop up to a picnic area with views back over Crich and the Amber Valley.
At the top you’ll find Crich Tower – a war memorial, in the style of a ‘lanterne des mortes’ like a landlocked lighthouse. It’s dedicated to the memory of the Sherwood Foresters who fell in both World Wars and those of the local regiments who have fallen in battle since. Well worth a visit if it is open.
If that’s too energetic, simply drink in the view from its base. On a clear day, you can see seven counties at once.
You can ride trams of all different styles and eras, even the slow but elegant horse-drawn one that runs occasionally (giving poor Dobbin plenty of time to rest in between!)
The task of restoring, repairing and renewing these old trams is endless, and you can watch the museum’s skilled engineers and technicians from a special Workshop Viewing Gallery.
Trams often arrive in a poor state of repair, and it can take years to make them fit to be driven again.
Access Tram
Sadly Crich has had to retire ‘Erich’ their Access Tram so it’s not available for the 2025 season, but they are currently raising £120,000 to convert one of Blackpool’s last ‘old generation’ trams from the 1980s into a new Access Tram, complete with a wheelchair lift.
So after watching everyone hard at work, how about a cuppa in Rita’s Tearooms? Or buy another bag of sherbet lemons for the journey home.
The perfect end to a nostalgic day.
Getting to Crich Tramway Village
Slap bang in the middle of the Midlands, and only 8 miles from the M1, Crich is easily reached from Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Stoke-on-Trent and Birmingham.
Sadly no tram service, and the nearest train station, Whatstandwell, means a steep uphill walk of about 1 mile.
Buses run from Matlock, Ripley, Alfreton and Belper, but most visitors come by car and they have ample free parking.
Open Saturday to Thursday, March to November, from 10am, but it’s best to check dates in advance, as special events and ongoing maintenance means various day closures.
All the latest information can be found on the Crich Tramway website.
Accessibility at Crich Tramway Museum
The museum is set in a valley with some steep paths, but the majority of it is accessible.
There’s free admission for one carer per disabled person and a discounted rate for disabled visitors.
Wheelchairs are also available for a small deposit, booking in advance is advisable.
All photos are copyright © rosemaryandporkbelly
Where to next?
• Little Woodham, living history in action
• Sleeping Beauty: The Lost Gardens of Heligan
• 7 weird and wonderful things to see in England