The village stands high up on an exposed ridge, a prominent landmark from half of Derbyshire, and it stretches along the ridge towards Croch Stand, a hill nearly 1000 feet high, interesting to geologists and notable for the rich lead mines that were about it at one time. The outlook, especially across the Derwent Valley, is as fair as any in a county of wonderful views.
Crich Stand has something which draws all eyes, a lighthouse tower rebuilt in 1923 with a beacon light seen from five counties. It is a tribute to 11,400 men of the Sherwood Foresters (the former Notts and Derby Regiment) who lost their lives in the Great War. A memorial service is held each year on the first Sunday in July. The tower is open to the public.
In a disused limestone quarry in the side of the hill, a fascinating museum of old trams and tramway equipment has been laid out. It is the only one in Britain, and it has vehicles ranging from a horse-car of 1873 (brought from Portugal, but originally made in Birkenhead) to a modern all-electric tram of 1953, from Leeds.
Of the old church begun in the mid 12th century there still remains the nave arcades, with square capitals on one side and round ones on the other, and the font with heavy cable moulding is also Norman. Most of the church, however, is 14th century....the tower and spire, the chancel with a priest's doorway and beautiful tracery in its windows, three stone seats under trefoiled arches, a piscina drain in the sill of an east window, and a stone lectern built into the chancel wall in the Derbyshire fashion. The modern roof of the chancel rests on 10 stone heads 600 years old; the naive roof is a century younger.
William de Wakebridge lies in a long gown buttoned from neck to waist under an aisle recess. He has long hair and a beard, and his hands are on his breast, his feet on a dog, and a tiny angel is holding a Catherine wheel to his ear. Sir William sat in the Parliaments of Edward III, but after the Black Death had bereft him of his wife, his father, his three brothers, and two sisters, he gave himself to religion rather than to worldly affairs, and founded two chantries here.
Of recent interest is the fact that Crich is the fictional Cardale in the TV production of "Peak Practice". Many of the buildings will be familiar to those who watch the programme and at least one building...the local fish and chip shop has taken the name 'Cardale Fish & Chips'. Cardale started out as a fictitious name in the hit programme...but gradually, it seems, appears to be playing an important part in the friendly local community. 'Cardale' Fish & Chips are one of the first to recognise the advantages and in fact the business has now appeared in both the first and second series of the programme with screen stars seen eating fish and chips from the shop in one filming.
