Crich Tramway Village

Crich Tramway Village

Crich Tramway Village is no ordinary day out. The village setting of lovingly restored buildings is not only the perfect home for the nations collection of vintage trams but gives visitors the opportunity to experience the nostalgia of a time now past. Don’t be fooled however by the relaxed and friendly atmosphere as there’s a lot to see and do. Trams run to and fro all day long carrying visitors down the cobbled street and out into the surrounding countryside where you will be rewarded with breathtaking views across the Derwent Valley.

Visitors are welcome to ride the trams as often as they wish though it’s hard not to be distracted by all the other activities going on. The Workshop Gallery gives you the opportunity to watch engineers close up as they go about servicing working vehicles and carrying out restoration work on needy trams. Visit the depots and you will be able to see over fifty vintage trams from different eras, towns and countries, you may even spot one from your own home town! Across the yard you will find the Great Exhibition Hall which tells the story of the tram from its horse drawn origins to the near silent electric vehicles working today.

Here, you can also learn about ‘History Maker’ Michael Holroyd Smith who was a pioneering inventor of the late 19 th and early 20 th century, who changed the course of tramway history in the UK and had far reaching influence in the engineering world.     The buildings that make up the village have come from all parts of the country, many demolished brick by brick before being transported to Crich and lovingly rebuilt and restored. Here within the heart of the village you will find The Forge souvenir shop plus Barnett’s Traditional Sweet Shop and should you be in need of refreshment there are also Rita’s Tearooms and Red Lion Pub which welcomes all members of the family whatever their age.

Within the Derby Assembly Rooms exhibitions include ‘ Survive and Thrive – the Electric Era’ plus from 16 th March – 9 th June a selection of work named ‘ Quinn’ from photographer / artist Lottie Davies as part of FORMAT 19 FOREVER//NOW in partnership with QUAD. From 21 st June 2019 ‘ The Mobile Post Box – Mail by Tram’ reveals how, in the early 20 th century tramcars became mobile post boxes and explores some of the challenges that had to be overcome in order to provide this service.   Children can let off steam in the adventure playground, while younger ones can make the most of our indoor ball pool and tram themed soft play area.

Catch a tram out to the Woodland Park where you will find the start of the Woodland Walk & Sculpture Trail.  Visitors can stretch their legs on a trail that winds its way through native woodland, now home to some amazing and unusual sculptures. Children will be thrilled to sit on the back of a giant wood ant, come face-to-face with the Green Man and get lost in the stone labyrinth.  Amongst the trees an elevated walkway leads to a viewing platform perched high above the Derwent Valley, a World Heritage site. The walk also features a leaf trail where children can take brass rubbings of native leaves. Crich really does offer something for everyone whenever you visit but some days there is even more going on. We have a rich and varied calendar of events that runs throughout the year including; classic car days, our famous World War II / 1940s events, reliving the war era, Beside the Seaside, Build in Bricks and Starlight, plus a variety of children’s holiday activities.   Location & Opening Times Crich Tramway Village is located in the heart of Derbyshire, 6 miles from Matlock and 8 miles from M1 junction 28, follow the brown signs for “Tramway Museum”.