Crich

Probably better known as the village of Cardale in the TV series Peak Practice, Crich (pronounced ‘Cry-ch’ and meaning ‘hilltop‘), with its church and market cross, is also the home of the Crich Tramway Village, which is the National Tram Museum. Referring to itself intriguingly as ‘the museum that’s a mile long’, it offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a tram ride along a Victorian street. The signposts, stone flags and gas lamps are all original and come from such diverse places as Liverpool, Oldham and Leeds. Today, in many towns and cities, trams are making a come-back, but here the museum gives visitors the opportunity to view tramways of the past. As well as those shuttling up and down the mile-long scenic route, there is an exhibition, which contains not only trams but also much more besides, including some wonderfully colourful fairground organs. Throughout the year the museum holds many special events and, with their policy of no hidden extras, this is a great place to take all the family for a fun day out. Started in 1959, it now has over 50 trams, with a third of them being in full working order. It stands on the site of a quarry that was owned by the great engineer George Stephenson, who also owned the railway that carried the stone down the steep incline to his lime kilns alongside the Cromford Canal.

This large, straggling village was also a flourishing knitting centre at one time, and the telltale 18th-century cottages with their long upper windows can still be seen. The Parish Church of St Mary, with its tall spire, dates back to around 1135, but is now mostly 14th century. Although there is evidence of ‘Norman’ influence inside the Church. It sits on a hilltop, and contains a built-in stone lectern, which, though common in Derbyshire, is rare elsewhere in the country.

Also situated on a hilltop, 1,100 feet above sea level is Crich Stand, an operational lighthouse and memorial tower, complete with flashing beacon. Built in 1923, it is dedicated to the memory of the 11,409 men of the Sherwood Foresters who died during the First World War. The memorial also honours those who died in the Second World War and other conflicts, up to the year 1970. There is another part to the Memorial, which is not generally known. This was the provision of two books in which are inscribed the names of all the men of the Regiment who were killed in the Great War of 1914-1918. One book is deposited at The Sherwood Foresters Museum Gallery in Nottingham Castle and the other is deposited in the Derby City Museum and Art Gallery. They are commonly known as the Roll of Honour, or Books of Remembrance.

The hill on which it is set has been used as a signalling point for centuries - including during the Spanish Armada in the 16th century, and is often used as a site for celebratory beacons to this day. The spiral staircase with fifty-eight steps takes the visitor to a viewing gallery, where there are splendid views in all directions. It’s said that on a clear day you can see eight counties from here. Open all year, there is a short walk and seating available round the site.