Summary of Attractions in Crewe
A functional town located in South Cheshire, Crewe transitioned from a small hamlet to a bustling locale following the arrival of the railway in the mid-19th century.
The Grand Junction Railway selected this location for its locomotive works during the 1830s, leading to the establishment of a town at this vital junction in England’s transportation infrastructure.
The Crewe Heritage Centre is situated at the site of the former locomotive works and provides comprehensive information about Crewe’s historic train manufacturing and its strong connections to the railway industry.
The predominant employer in Crewe today is Bentley, and advance arrangements can lead to an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour at their cutting-edge factory.
Crewe is strategically positioned for excursions to Tudor and Jacobean homes like Little Morton Hall and Dorfold Hall, while one of England’s most esteemed Medieval churches is merely 10 minutes away in Nantwich.
Let us delve into the noteworthy attractions in Crewe:
1. Queens Park
Featuring an elegant oval design, Queens Park is a magnificent Victorian park that opened in 1887 on land generously provided by the London and North Western Railway.
The charming flowerbeds, serene lake, bandstand, and clock tower are remnants from the Victorian era, while the new lakeside pavilion is accessible to visitors daily.
During the summer holidays and weekends, rowboat rentals are available, and there is a recently upgraded play area for children, along with a bug hotel designed for aspiring entomologists.
Queens Park is equipped with an outdoor gym, and since February 2018, it has hosted a parkrun every Saturday at 09:00. Nestled among the manicured shrubs and flowerbeds is a memorial commemorating the Boer War, unveiled in 1903, while the lake’s island serves as a tribute to those who perished during the Burma Campaign in World War II.
2. Crewe Heritage Centre
The Crewe Heritage Centre serves as a portal into the town’s railway legacy, situated on the grounds of the historic Old Works that were dismantled in the early 1980s.
The primary exhibition hall features rotating displays that trace the evolution of locomotive and carriage manufacturing at the Old Works, alongside its influence on the lives of Crewe residents.
Younger visitors can experience operating a 47 cab simulator and explore the “Columbine” steam locomotive cab, while a variety of model railways from across the country are on constant display.
Outside, numerous permanent and temporary locomotives can be inspected, and there is a miniature railway for rides.
Three preserved signal boxes are also on site, including two from Crewe and one relocated intact from Exeter.
The standout exhibit is the surviving APT (Advanced Passenger Train), a prototype constructed in Derby in 1979 designed to tilt for enhanced speed.
3. Lyceum Theatre
A prominent feature in the town center, the Lyceum Theatre has a compelling historical narrative.
The theatre originated from a former Roman Catholic church established for the Irish workforce at the railway during the 19th century.
This structure was destroyed by fire in 1910 and was quickly replaced by a new venue, seating 1,250, constructed just over a year later. The Lyceum is recognized as a Grade II listed building and features a large brick gable with its founding date inscribed.
Visitors to Crewe can check the theatre’s website or stop by the box office to discover upcoming performances of interest.
The schedule typically includes light entertainment and tribute acts, along with recurring performances by established stand-up comedians.
4. Bentley Motors Factory Tour
As World War II loomed, Crewe was designated as a manufacturing hub for aircraft engines, thanks to its robust road and railway connections.
The factory on Pyms Lane began assembling the first Rolls-Royce Merlin engines in 1938. Post-war, production transitioned to Rolls-Royce and Bentley automobiles.
Since the two brands severed ties in 1998, the Volkswagen-owned facility has focused solely on Bentley production.
“General Interest” tours are available, providing a comprehensive experience similar to that typically reserved for clientele.
These tours, priced at £30 per person, offer a thorough two-hour journey through the production line, guided by knowledgeable hosts.
5. Little Moreton Hall
Erected throughout the 16th century, Little Moreton Hall is a picturesque half-timbered house surrounded by a moat.
This property, managed by the National Trust, features a unique, top-heavy appearance due to the Long Gallery spanning the upper level of the south range.
The weight of the Long Gallery, added in the mid-16th century, has caused subtle warping of the lower levels.
Costume interpreters enhance the visitor experience by bringing the history of the hall to life, while children are invited to dress up as lords and ladies.
The parlour is particularly noteworthy for its painted walls and Elizabethan mouldings surrounding the fireplace, allowing visitors to appreciate the splendor of the grand hall and examine intricate leadwork in the windows, most of which retain 16th-century glass.
Surrounding the hall is a formal Tudor knot garden that was replanted in 1972.
6. St Mary’s Church, Nantwich
Located a short ten-minute drive or a single train stop away, the neighboring town of Nantwich is home to one of the UK’s finest medieval churches.
Presently, St Mary’s stands as an exemplar of Decorated Gothic architecture, constructed in local red sandstone from the 1340s and later restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott in the 19th century.
Notably, the stunning octagonal tower captivates visitors from the exterior.
Take time to explore inside, as the church is rich in medieval detail.
Admire the lierne-vaulted ceiling in the chancel, which features nearly 70 carved bosses.
Additional noteworthy elements in the chancel include a triple sedilla and a piscina, all beneath impressive Gothic carved canopies.
Behind the choir stalls are 20 misericords crafted in the 15th century, each uniquely adorned with various images, including those of the Virgin, a unicorn, George and the Dragon, and a pelican with chicks.
7. Crewe to Nantwich Greenway
After several years of development, the Crewe to Nantwich Greenway officially launched in 2013, facilitating a five-mile cycling journey to Nantwich.
This greenway ensures a safe, traffic-free route, featuring various pockets of natural scenery along the way.
Among these is the Bluebell Woods, inaugurated for Elizabeth II’s diamond jubilee in 2012, where approximately 5,000 bluebell bulbs were planted as part of a community initiative, creating a breathtaking springtime display.
The bike ride between the two towns typically takes about 30 minutes, and there may be an inclination to pause at the Rising Sun Pub located midway along the path.
8. Dorfold Hall
On the other side of Nantwich lies the captivating Jacobean mansion, Dorfold Hall.
Constructed in the 1610s by the younger brother of Sir Roger Wilbraham, who served at court under James I, Dorfold Hall combines brick with stone dressings, featuring triangular gables, turreted chimneys, and a recessed center with impressively large windows for its time.
While still a private residence, guided tours of Dorfold Hall are available on Tuesdays and Bank Holidays during the summer.
During your visit, you will be able to admire interiors that were tastefully redesigned by the Neoclassical architect Samuel Wyatt in 1771. The hall’s picturesque parkland is located along the 29-mile Crewe and Nantwich Circular Path and hosts the annual Nantwich Show in July, a popular agricultural fair featuring trade stalls and demonstrations.
Additionally, the Nantwich International Cheese Awards, integral to the event, are recognized as the largest cheese competition in Europe.
9. Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker
It is fascinating to consider that this vast underground facility remained concealed for over 40 years, situated just outside the village of Hack Green.
Originally a WWII radar station, this subterranean bunker was erected in the 1950s.
In the final years of the Cold War, the facility was designated as a Regional Seat of Government in the event of a nuclear strike and underwent extensive refurbishment at a cost of £32m.
The museum elaborates on the bunker’s function during the Cold War period and features a Minister of State’s office, a medical room, a communication hub containing 1980s computer terminals, a telephone exchange, and decontamination facilities.
Visitors have the opportunity to view an automated broadcast that would have been activated in the event of an attack.
On the surface, a variety of Cold War equipment is displayed, including a Ballistic Missile Early Warning System and a substantial collection of decommissioned nuclear weapons.
10. Reaseheath Zoo
Reaseheath College, located in Nantwich, offers vocational programs in agriculture and animal management, necessitating the maintenance of a zoological collection.
In the 2000s, Reaseheath College became the first institution in the UK to obtain a zoo license and has recently begun welcoming visitors during holidays and certain weekends.
Visitors may refer to the college’s website for a full calendar of openings.
The relatively small size of the zoo’s animal collection allows for a more detailed understanding of each animal’s behavior and diet.
Some notable residents include a Bengal eagle owl named Ravi, a Brazilian tapir called Ernie, a blue tegu named Diego, and Yasmin, an Exmoor pony.
11. Crewe Market
Operating in the Town Square beneath the clock tower on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Crewe’s outdoor market offers a variety of handicrafts, kitchenware, cards, clothing, produce, flowers, and specialty food items.
The historic market hall, built in 1854, has served as a shopping center for decades and was designated as a key element in a forthcoming £48.5m revitalization project for Crewe’s town center in 2018.
While some traders were still operating in the hall during August 2018, by the 2020s the hall is projected to be rebranded, hosting permanent independent retailers and dining establishments.
12. Crewe Alexandra
Endearingly referred to as the Railwaymen, the town’s football club, Crewe Alexandra, has roots dating back to 1877 and was a founding member of the Second Division of the Football League in 1892. Currently competing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football, Crewe has not played in the top division.
Nonetheless, the club has gained recognition for cultivating and developing exceptional talent.
Prominent international players such as David Platt, Danny Murphy, and Neil Lennon began their careers with the Railwaymen.
Home matches take place at Gresty Road, a venue with a capacity of 10,000, from August through May.
Moreover, following Macclesfield Town’s promotion to the Football League in 2018, the opportunity to witness a Cheshire Derby becomes increasingly possible as both clubs share the same division.
13. Wybunbury Tower
A Grade II* listed landmark situated in the nearby village of Wybunbury, this structure has been nicknamed the “Leaning Tower of South Cheshire.” It represents the last remaining section of a 15th-century church that was dismantled in the 19th century.
Remarkably, at least five earlier churches existed at this location, all of which were demolished or collapsed due to unstable ground conditions.
The sandstone ashlar tower is distinctly tilted to the north and exemplifies the Perpendicular architectural style, crowned by four corner pinnacles and battlements.
Niches containing statues of unidentified saints flank the entrance and first-floor window, and the tower still retains a ring of bells cast in 1790.
14. Bunbury Mill
If you are seeking an engaging Sunday afternoon destination in summer, a wonderfully restored piece of rural heritage can be found ten miles west of Crewe.
Bunbury Mill, a watermill constructed in the 1840s, has been a fixture at this site since the late 13th century.
The mill ceased operations in the 1960s due to flood damage and faced the threat of demolition, but local advocacy efforts preserved it, allowing for reconstruction as a job creation project.
The picturesque setting includes the historic building, its mill pond, and surrounding woodland.
Guided tours, lasting 40 minutes, include activities such as weighing grain, removing chaff, and attempting to create flour by hand.
The mill’s tearoom bakes its own cakes, and the surrounding grounds attract herons, kingfishers, and many butterflies during the summer months.
15. Golf
For both avid golfers and those looking to reconnect with the sport, there are three golf courses within a ten-minute radius of Crewe’s town center.
Casual players seeking a straightforward, stress-free round can opt for the pay-and-play course situated just west of Queens Park. This nine-hole facility has been in operation since 1985 and offers remarkable convenience.
More seasoned golfers have two esteemed members’ clubs to consider: Sandbach Golf Club and Crewe Golf Club. Both clubs welcome visitors, although advance arrangements for tee-off times are advisable.
Both courses receive positive reviews and offer competitive pricing. At Sandbach, which features splendid tree-lined fairways and natural water hazards, green fees amount to only £25 for 18 holes during the summer.
