Crich Tramway Museum, Derbyshire

24th July 2023

On our final day of the Derbyshire trip, we chose to visit the tramway museum and the nearby village of Crich, before heading home.

We were surprised by the large number of trams in the sheds. They are used in rotation and originate from all around the UK, including Glasgow, Liverpool, Southampton, Chesterfield, Douglas and Gateshead among others. I have quite possibly travelled on one of them before, along Blackpool sea front. There are also trams from Johannesburg, The Hague, Sydney, Oporto, Prague and Berlin.

On older trams, the driver was often exposed to all weathers. The Derby 1 tram (below), the first in Derby which entered service in 1904, was sold in 1934 when the tramway closed. It became a summer house until it was rescued in the 1960s. This is not an untypical story.

This ex-Blackpool tram (below) is known as ‘The Toast Rack’. Here, everyone was exposed to all weathers.

Another open ex-Blackpool tram below. I have definitely travelled on one of these:

There is also a museum:

This early internal combustion motor bus was built on a Leyland Motors chassis, around 2 miles from where we live:

There is also a modern workshop:

Several buildings appear to have been moved to the :

And an early public phone box, complete with button A and B payment.

We took a ride on the London tram below. Recently restored to its former glory, at a cost of over £400,000, understandingly it is only used on dry days:

Our walk back down, took us through woodland alongside the tramway, where there is a sculpture trail:

We took another trip on the London tram, this time inside to experience the luxurious ‘first class’ accommodation.

Visiting with a Motorhome:

The venue is a popular one, especially during the school holidays, but there is a huge car park. There were a number of motorhomes when we visited and some were parked at the far end where coaches are directed. Driving through the village is a bit tight, but not too problematic.

Unlimited tram rides are included in the entrance fee. We were able to get a 2 for 1 deal on entry with our Caravan and Motorhome Club membership. English Heritage members get the same deal.