Crich Tramway Village

In Brief.

The Crich Tramway Village is one of a wide range of heritage destinations within striking distance of Manchester, with a focus on trams to complement others on cotton and aircraft manufacturing. Here there is a mini village, a tram line and a fine collection of trams from the 1860s to the 1960s. It must be super if you are into trams, but may be of rather more passing interest for the wider public.

A tram leaves the village.

What's Here?

Perhaps the centrepiece of the Crich Tramway Village is the tramway itself, which runs from the village, though a wooded area adjacent to a quarry, and on to a mine (though the latter stage was closed on my visit). I travelled on a beautifully preserved early 20th century tram; there is no doubt that they have a good and carefully looked after collection, though a short and slow ride on an ancient tram is not in itself especially exciting.

Adjacent to the tramway is a rather lame woodland walk and sculpture trail; let's just say that if you fancy a woodland walk with a sculpture trail, The Pendle Sculpture Trail is altogether more engaging.

The Great Exhibition Hall

The other potential centrepiece is the exhibition hall, with a Century of Trams exhibition.  Arranged chronologically, this tracks the transition from horse-drawn trams, to stream and electric trams, including the technical challenges faced and solutions adopted. With the large collection, and well curated information boards, this provides some interesting historical background, even to those who don't generally give trams a second thought.

Practicalities.

Distance from Manchester Town Hall: 55 miles

Drive Time: 1 hour 45 minutes.

Price: $$

Parking: Included.

Food and Drink: There is a cafe and a pub in the village. Most visitor attractions have more engaging catering; I had a much-too-sweet cello-wrapped flapjack, and for lunch a white bread roll with tasteless grated cheese.  While the village is trying to give a period feel, it should probably have moved on from 1970s catering.

Retail therapy: There is a small souvenir shop with assorted books on trams and related topics, and a curious, somewhat random, collection of souvenirs.

Child Friendly: Probably the target audience here is young kids; in addition to a ride on the tram, there is a play area, a pleasant field for running around in, and a woodland walk with child-focused wooden sculptures.

Toilets: Yes - by the pub.

Do it justice in: 2 hours.

Inside-Outside: 50:50

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