Crich Stand, which sits atop the limestone cliff overlooking the village of Crich and Derwent valley below, is the third tower to have been built on this hill. The previous ones were constructed in 1788 by Francis Hurt of Alderwasley Hall and another of 1851 but both were damaged by lightning. The present lighthouse type Stand was constructed with a beacon and was set slightly further back from the quarry which was slowly encroaching on the previous monuments.
Crich Stand was opened in 1923 as a memorial to the men of the Sherwood Foresters who fell in World War I and became a later monument to those who died in World War II. The hill on which Crich Stand is situated reaches a height of 950 feet and the top of Crich Stand itself just touches 1,000 feet. The views up the Derwent valley towards Matlock are superb, and it is said that on a clear day you can see into five counties and without a telescope make out Lincoln Cathedral in the far distance.
Over 11,000 Sherwood Foresters fell in the First World War. Their Colonel, Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien who died in 1930 is commemorated, whilst in front of Crich Stand are engraved his famous words at the battle of Cateau – “Gentlemen, we will stand and fight”.
Crich Stand sits on top of a little cliff which is of geological interest and a result of volcanic action. A strata of Limestone was forced up through the top layer of gritstone into a dome, whilst below the limestone is a bed of ancient lava. In 1882 it is said that a great landslip occurred which altered the brow of the hill and carried away the road and buried several houses.
Situated a short distance from Crich Stand, and running beneath it is the line of the Crich Tramway Museum which is a very popular visitor attractions