9 awesome reasons why you should visit Crich Tramway Museum with kids
Despite living on the doorstep of Crich Tramway Museum in Derbyshire, it’s never really been on our list of places to visit with the kids.
I guess we thought we weren’t particularly into trams or transport and stereotypically we assumed it wouldn’t be of much interest to our two young girls.
I wasn’t sure how exciting it would be for us as a family.
Surprisingly, we had an amazing day out. If you’re considering a visit, here are 9 awesome reasons why we think you should visit Crich Tramway Museum with kids regardless of their age or interests.
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Our completely honest review of Crich Tramway Museum with kids
As you may have already guessed, we are not tram fanatics and our girls would much rather watch Frozen than Thomas the Tank Engine!
But whether you think you are interested in trams and the history of transport or not, Crich Tramway Museum is a brilliant day out with the kids.
This is a completely honest review to provide families with more information about Crich Tramway Museum and the top things that we enjoyed. We hope our review will provide you with lots of useful information and top tips to help you get the most out of your day.
How to get to Crich Tramway Museum
Crich Tramway Museum is located in the beautiful Derbyshire village of Crich and is famous for its setting as the BBC’s drama series, Peak Practice.
Crich itself is definitely worth a walk around and visit to the Crich Stand and local bakery.
It’s also got great access to the stunning Peak District. Within close proximity, you’ll find an abundance of things to do with kids including scenic walks, cycling trails and caves. And nearby, you have the beautiful towns of Matlock Bath, Cromford, Bakewell and Chatsworth.
Getting to the Crich Tramway Museum by car is easy and there is free car parking. Or the nearest train station is Whatstandwell, which is a 1-mile uphill walk to the Tramway Museum. Buses also run from Matlock, Ripley, Alfreton and Belper (click here for more details).
Crich Tramway Museum opening times
Crich Tramway Museum normally opens its doors to visitors in March for its spring season and close the season in early November. The opening times differ slightly depending on the season but normally this is between 10 am and 4:30 pm/5:30 pm.
Click here to check out the opening times.
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Crich Tramway Museum prices, offers and discount vouchers
Full price tickets cost £17.50 for adults, £10.50 for children or £40.50 for a family ticket (2 adults / 3 children or 1 adult /4 children).
Prices accurate at the time of writing (April 2019).
However, always check for discount vouchers before you go. Groupon and Wowcher sometimes have Crich Tramway Museum offers and discount vouchers. If you find one, look for further Groupon/Wowcher discount code or voucher to redeem off your already discounted deal – WIN WIN!
We got 29% off with a Groupon offer and then a further discount of 20% off any Groupon deal.
If you are a member of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, take advantage of their Crich Tramway Museum 2 for 1 ticket offer.
It’s worth bearing in mind that when you buy full-priced tickets, you get free return admission within 12 months. This does not apply if you’ve used a Crich Tramway Museum offer or discount voucher.
Accommodation near Crich Tramway Museum
There are plenty of hotels, bed and breakfasts and campsites nearby. Use the search widget below for availability and prices.
We’ve listed 3 hotels in order of distance from Crich Tramway Museum. Living locally, we haven’t actually stayed in these hotels but all 3 have excellent reviews on TripAdvisor. Horsley Lodge, in particular, is a well-known local Golf Club, Hotel and Wedding Venue and we know lots of people who highly recommend it.
- 5 minute drive/1.6 miles from Crich Tramway Museum
- Click here to view accomodation
Check out the TripAdvisor reviews here.
- 11 minute drive/6 miles from Crich Tramway Museum
- Click here to view accomodation
- 20 minute drive/11 miles from Crich Tramway Museum
- Click here to view accomodation
There are also some lovely cottages and holiday homes on Airbnb.
If you haven’t tried Airbnb yet, sign up through our link and get £25 off your first booking.
So now that you know how to get there, how to get discounted tickets and where to stay nearby, here’s our 9 awesome reasons why you should visit Crich Tramway Museum with kids…
#1 – Riding the trams is a real novelty (and the kids love it)
As you enter through the admissions building, you’ll be given some old money for your tram fare. An old penny for adult fare and a halfpenny for children – this will give you access to ride the trams all day.
The girls we very excited to get their halfpenny and we trusted that they’d look after them until we got on the tram (there was no way they were going to let us take them off them)!
Top Tip – Avoid the crowds by getting there early and head down to ‘Terminus Town End’ tram stop to board the first ride of the day.
On your first ride, the conductor will come round and take your fare. In return, you’ll receive your ticket which the conductor will punch using the old fashioned bell punch machine (it dings when it punches the ticket).
Paying for their own fare and receiving their ticket from the conductor is a real novelty for the kids.
There are normally 3 trams running every 10-15 minutes and the return trip takes approximately 25 minutes. There are 5 stops along the way so you can hop on and off at your leisure throughout the day.
The complete distance is about a mile and you can choose to walk part or all the way from the period street at the beginning of the route and then along the Woodland Walk and Sculpture Trail.
Top Tip – you can’t take pushchairs/buggies on the trams but there is a ‘Buggy Park’ at ‘Terminus Town End’ stop.
We took our pushchair/buggy but left it in the car and in the end, didn’t need it. The car park is really close so you can easily nip back and get it if you decide you need it.
Crich Tramway Museum Village Map
When you arrive at Crich Tramway Museum you will be given a village map and guide. This is really useful because you can plan the order in which you want to do everything. It’s also helpful to use as a checklist and make sure you don’t miss anything.
You can download the Crich Tramway Village Map here.
#2 – You can step back in time down the old-fashioned period street
As you enter through the Admissions building, turn left and wander back in time down the old period street.
Take a look at the old signs, peak inside the shops and admire the old memorabilia. Sample a piece of cake from Rita’s Tearoom or treat yourselves at the ice cream parlour.
You might even find some vintage cars parked along the street.
You can’t leave without treating the kids to some sweets that line the shelves in Barnett’s Sweet Shop. The girls chose good old dolly mixture.
#3 – There’s a lovely natural outdoor play area for the kids
There is a brilliant outdoor play area for the kids which is largely constructed out of wood and natural materials. The girls would have spent a lot longer here. There are lots of climbing structures, slides, a nest swing and even a zip wire.
#5 – There’s lots to explore on the Woodland Walk and Sculpture Trail
This is a great trail that takes you through the woodland which is dotted with incredibly detailed sculptures carved out of tree trunks. Some of the girls’ favourites were the Drum Kit, Storyteller’s Chair and Trample the Troll.
Of course, we had to act out the ‘Three Billy Goats Gruff’ story and look who got caught by the troll!
Click here to download an information pack to read as you make your way around the Woodland Walk and Sculpture Trail.
Top Tip – borrow a backpack full of activities suitable for kids aged 3-11
Top Tip – take a picnic to save money, there are plenty of picnic areas dotted around
#6 – You can sample a real ale or traditional cider at the Red Lion Pub
Standing proud on the period street setting lined with vintage cars outside, the Red Lion Pub is no exception to the yesteryear experience.
In fact, it really made me think about my grandparents, imagining how they lived back in the 1950s and 1960s. We sat and listened to the traditional lounge music and sampled a dandelion and burdock cider (I remember drinking fizzy dandelion and burdock at my grandparents as a child – obviously non-alcoholic).
#7 – There’s a wealth of fascinating history at the George Stevenson Discovery and Learning Centre
We actually spent quite a while in here because we found it so interesting and interactive. There’s a station for the kids to colour which is great because it gives you the chance to explore the discovery centre without any nagging from the kids.
You’ll learn all about the history of the tramway village and its location on the old quarry site. Discover how early transport and the introduction of trams came about as a result of overcrowding in towns, pushing people further out into suburbs.
#8 – You can step through the decades of transport development in the Great Exhibition Hall
Another exhibition which we actually found really interesting. This huge hall has tramcars from across a whole century. It’s so visual to see the development of tramcars from horse-powered to steam-powered to electric-powered.
There’s even one you can step onto and have a look around. The kids loved having a look around and made themselves comfortable at the front of the tram.
#9 - Dogs are allowed at Crich Tramway Museum
Maybe this should have been higher up on my list of awesome reasons to visit Crich Tramway Museum with kids (and dogs). We love days out as a family but many museums and similar attractions don’t allow dogs.
The great thing about Crich Tramway Museum is that dogs are allowed and it’s super dog-friendly. You can take them on the trams, in the exhibitions and in the pub and shops. The only two places where dogs aren’t allowed is in Rita’s Tearooms and the indoor soft play area.
More tips for visiting Crich Tramway Museum with kids
- If the weather isn’t great, visit the indoor play area and let the kids burn off some energy.
- Take warm clothes and layer up so you can add or remove layers. The Tramway Museum is positioned high up and it can get windy. We went on a gloriously sunny day in March but didn’t dress warm enough and were a little cold.
- Apart from the trams, everywhere else is pushchair/buggy friendly
Essentials for visiting Crich Tramway Museum with kids
We don’t go anywhere without these Sistema Twist n Sip Water Bottles.
We love them because they last forever and are easy to clean. The simple design means that there are no nooks and crannies to harbour dirt and bacteria.
Click here or on the image below to view…
Cut down on single use plastic by using these amazing Reusable Snack Bags
We love them because you can ditch the plastic bags/cling film and use them to keep snadwiches and other snacks fresh. They’re easy to clean by simpy wiping down or popping them in the washing machine.
Click here or on the image below to view…
Don’t forget the all important Baby Wipes!
We love these because they’re super cheap and 100% biodegradable.
Click here or on the image below to view…
Our final thoughts…
Crich Tramway Museum definitely exceeded our expectations as a great day out with the kids. There’s plenty to do to and a variety of activities from the excitement of riding the trams to outdoor fun and play for the kids. And the information in the exhibitions is really fascinating (not boring at all).
I hope that reading this has provided information on what to expect and how to make the most out of your day at Crich Tramway Museum with the kids.
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