The National Tramway Museum contains over 60 (mainly British) trams built between 1900 and 1930 and is set within Crich Tramway Village, a period village containing a pub, cafe, old-style sweetshop and tram depots. The museum's collection of trams runs through the village setting with visitors transported one mile out into the local countryside and back. The trams at Crich mostly ran along the streets of cities in United Kingdom before the 1960s, with trams rescued and restored (even from other countries) as the systems closed. The village is also home to the Eagle Press, a small museum dedicated to letterpress printing including an 1859 Columbian printing press. Step back in time along the recreated period street where you won’t have to wait long for the rumble of a vintage tram. Many of the buildings along the street have been rescued from towns and cities across the UK, such as the Derby Assembly Rooms façade which came to Crich after a tragic fire. The Red Lion Pub and Restaurant came all the way from Stoke and was re-built brick by brick. Also look out for the street furniture which is dotted along the street, including the Bundy Clock at Town End Terminus and The Exhibition Hall windows which were rescued from the Doncaster tram depot.
On arrival, collect your old penny to pay the conductor your tram fare, and receive a ticket you can use all day. Trams depart regularly from town end, calling at various stops along the mile long track. 1. Terminus Town End - Board trams at the terminus near the Assembly Rooms. 2. Victoria Park - For band stand, play area, main entrance and car park. 3. Wakebridge - For Woodland Walk, Lead Mining Display and Electrical Sub-station. 4. Glory Mine - Picnic area with superb views over the the Amber Valley and public footpath to Crich Stand. 5. Stephenson Place - Alighting point for all Passengers. It would be hard to do credit to the concept; instead of viewing trams in a windy shed you can literaly ride back into the past and experience it for yourself.
Built in the 1800s, the two storey Stephenson Workshop stands in the heart of the Museum. It was originally used as a smithy and wagon works for George Stephenson’s one metre gauge mineral railway to transport limestone from what was then Crich Cliff Quarry to kilns at Ambergate. The building has been fully restored and is now home to a brand new state of the art learning facility on the ground floor and the Stephenson Discovery Centre on the first floor. The award winning Stephenson Discovery Centre is a vibrant interactive space. Visitors can explore what there is to do at Crich Tramway Village, as well as how the Museum started, the history before the Tramway Village and how overcrowding in expanding towns and cities paved the way for the introductions of trams to Britain in the 1800s. Now connected to the Stephenson Discovery Centre via a glass bridge link, the Workshop Viewing Gallery gives visitors the chance to watch the Museum’s skilled workshop staff restoring trams and keeping the operating fleet in tip top condition. The Workshop is vital to Crich Tramway Village as it restores and maintains trams to a high standard for our visitors to enjoy. Many of the trams that arrive here are in a sorry state of repair and it can take many years to restore each tram to the standard available for visitors to ride on.
There are access ramps or lifts to all the visitor facilities. Please request the Access Tram (Berlin 3006) on arrival if you are a wheelchair user, as this has an appropriate platform for you to enjoy a tram ride with your wheelchair. It will operate at 11.30am and 2.30pm. on request. (It is recommended that you arrive at Town End 10 minutes before). Please note the Access Tram is not suitable for mobility scooters and is subject to a weight limit of 300kg. A “smoothway” provides a smoother alternative to the cobbles for wheelchairs and buggies. Wheelchairs are available for hire from 10am until 4pm for a £10 deposit which is refunded when the wheelchair is returned. If you would like to book a wheelchair in advance, please contact them the day before you visit to check availability. There are disabled toilets located at the Red Lion Pub, Assembly Rooms and at the Wakebridge Tram Stop. All buildings have lifts and ramps to enable access. The Museum offers free admission for carers and a discounted rate for the less able visitors. All dogs on leads are welcome, but only assistance dogs can be accommodated in catering establishments. any of the displays have soundtracks to assist the visually impaired.
Location : Crich Tramway Village, nr Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5DP
Transport: Whatstandwell (National Rail) 1 mile or Matlock (National Rail)then 140 bus. Bus Routes : Matlock (140), Ripley (141), Alfreton (140) and Belper (142) stop outside.
Opening Times : Daily 10:00 to 18:00
Tickets Unlimited Rides: Adults £16.00; Seniors £12.00; Children ( 4 - 15 ) £9.00
Tickets Less Abled: Adults £10.00; Seniors £9.00; Children ( 4 - 15 ) £6.00
Tel: 01773 854 321
