Hi! I am your reporter Camilla Haile Robinsons and I went to Crich Tramway museum on April 6th!

I am writing about my experience! So, lets begin!

The National Tramway Museum has been in Crich, Derbyshire for over 60 years, and is a unique open-air museum and heritage transport attraction that combines displays of historical collections with a working tramway, allowing visitors to explore tramway history and ride vintage trams.It is only 8 miles from the M1 and within an hour’s drive of Derby, Stoke, Leicester, Sheffield, Nottingham and Doncaster. The nearest railway station is Whatstandwell, from which it is a steep uphill walk of about 1 mile.

Lets begin!

Climb aboard a beautifully restored vintage tram and travel back in time at the National Tramway Museum. Feel the rumble of the rails beneath you, hear the conductor’s bell ring, and watch the Derbyshire countryside glide past as you journey through our recreated period village.

Trams depart regularly from Town End and take you on a scenic ride through the museum site, with stops at Wakebridge and Glory Mine. Each tram has its own story, character and charm — from elegant Edwardian cars to hardworking industrial trams — making every journey a unique experience.

Which Trams Are Running Today?

They don’t know until the morning which historic trams will be operating, as this depends on maintenance, weather and operational requirements.

The day’s tram line-up will be posted on the morning of each day on their X (Twitter) and Facebook accounts.

Every visit offers something different — you never quite know which piece of tramway history you’ll be riding!

What route do the trams take?

Trams typically travel from Town End to Stephenson’s Place, stopping at:

Wakebridge- for the mining Display, Cabmen's Shelter, Octagon, Woodland Walk and more

Glory Mine- a gateway to explore another part of the museum site

Please note that, at times, trams may operate a shortened route due to essential engineering works. Currently, services are running to Wakebridge while track work takes place near Glory Mine. Updates will be shared as soon as possible.

How Tram Travel Works

On arrival at Admissions, adults receive an old penny and children receive a halfpenny — just like passengers once did.

On your first tram journey, the conductor will exchange your coin for a ticket. Keep hold of your ticket and enjoy unlimited tram rides throughout your visit.

If you misplace your ticket, please speak to the Duty Inspector.

Visiting with Dogs

Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome at the National Tramway Museum and can even travel on the lower decks of our trams.

Dogs are not permitted in the main café or indoor children’s play area. Owners must clean up after their pets at all times.

Pushchairs, Wheelchairs & Buggies

The heritage trams were built in a different era and were not designed to accommodate pushchairs, wheelchairs, buggies or walkers onboard.

They kindly ask that these are left in the Buggy Shelter at Town End while you enjoy your tram ride.

Health & Safety on Board

They want you to have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Please:

.Remain seated while the tram is mowing

.Do not lean outside the tram

.Keep selfie sticks, camera poles and umbrellas inside the tram at all times

.Avoid using these items on the upper decks of open-topped trams

Tramway Street is home to a fascinating collection of historic buildings, each with its own unique story to tell. Among them, The Forge Shop and Stephenson Discovery Centre date back to the 1800s, standing as lasting reminders of the mineral railway that once connected Crich to Ambergate. The Red Lion pub was carefully rescued from Stoke-on-Trent and lovingly rebuilt at Crich Tramway Village at the turn of the millennium. At Town End, the striking facade of the original Derby Assembly Rooms stands tall — saved and relocated to Crich following a devastating fire.

In 2024, they opened the brand-new Tram Stop Café, the perfect spot to relax and recharge with a selection of hot and cold refreshments during your visit.

As you explore Tramway Street, keep an eye out for the carefully preserved street furniture dotted along the route. Highlights include the iconic Bundy Clock at Town End Terminus and the beautifully restored Exhibition Hall windows, rescued from the original Doncaster tram depot.

Pick up a free site map on arrival to help you find your way around as it is very easy to get lost!

In 2010 the Great Exhibition Hall was redisplayed with the ‘Century of Trams’ exhibition. The exhibition takes you on a fascinating journey through a hundred years of tramway development, from 1860 – 1960, taking in horse trams, steam trams and electric trams.

With funding from the Wolfson Foundation and Derbyshire Economic Partnership the exhibition now features new interpretive panels, audio sounds to represent each decade of the timeline and interactives for all the family to enjoy.

Take a look at the story of Blackpool’s trams which features some of the earliest archive film footage the Museum holds, or see the last days of the tramway systems from the 1950s and how the Museum came to be the home of these vintage vehicles. All contributing to our reputation as one of the best Derbyshire attractions for all the family.

Michael Holroyd Smith – Electrifying the Future

Explore the work of ‘History Maker’ Michael Holroyd Smith, with exhibits, and previously unseen items from the archive.

Holroyd Smith was a pioneering inventor of the late 19th and early 20th century, who changed the course of tramway history in the UK and had far reaching influence in the engineering world.

Stephenson Discovery Centre

The award winning Stephenson Discovery Centre is a vibrant 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 in the introductions of trams to Britain in the 1800s.

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 state of the art learning facility on the ground floor and the Stephenson Discovery Centre on the first floor.

Please note that their security measures include the fact that they may randomly request to search your bags on entrance.

Workshop Viewing Gallery

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 our 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 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.

Survive and Thrive – The Electric Era

Located behind the old Derby Assembly Rooms façade, the Survive and Thrive exhibition looks at the reintroduction of modern tramway systems in cities around the UK. Find your town on the wall map showing first and second generation tramways. This building also houses the temporary exhibition space.