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Town/City Name
Chelmsford
County
Essex
Population
111,511
About Chelmsford
Chelmsford is the county town in the heart of Essex, East of England. The city lies in London’s commuter zone and earns popularity as the birthplace of the pioneering works for radio and for electric engineering.
A visit in Chelmsford is an adventure through ancient structures and beautiful parks. It is a half hour train ride from Central London, with railway and buses as the common modes of transportation. One of the most notable features of the city is the 18-arch viaduct that crosses the River Can. The Eastern Countries Railway built the viaduct in 1842 and opened it on March 29 of the following year.
Going out in Chelmsford is more exciting when there are events in the city. A music festival called V Festival attracts visitors yearly. The festival is typically held at two sites in Essex. One location is the Hylands Park in Chelmsford, which is a Grade II listed historic parkland with scenic and calming walking areas. The second location for the V Festival is Weston Park, a country house with parkland in Staffordshire.
Chelmsford is home to medieval parish churches that bear witness to the town’s history. First is the church of St Mary the Virgin which was built in the 13th century and was considered a parish church until 1914 when it became a cathedral. It underwent a string of reconstruction starting in the 15th century. Aside from its architecture, the cathedral is famed for its gardens.
Restaurants in Chelmsford serve a flavorful assortment of local and international cuisine. Italian, Chinese, and Indian dishes are among the most popular options. In the town’s High Street, there are shops that offer excellent dining experience in the gardens.
The town’s nightlife is also alive and kicking. Pubs in Chelmsford are thriving in the town center and areas near cinemas, malls, and public transportation links. Visitors can look forward to great deal of cask ales and craft beers in the pubs’ chill atmosphere.
Places to eat in Chelmsford, Restaurants in Chelmsford
Places to drink in Chelmsford, Pubs and Bars in Chelmsford
A brief history of Chelmsford
In AD 60, the Romans occupied and built a small community in Moulsham, Chelmsford’s suburb. The town, which was called Caesaromagus, served as a marketplace near Colchester and London. Towards the end of the 2nd century, defences were established around the town. When the Romans left the UK, the town vanished for some time and re-emerged as a modern town named Chelmsford in the middle ages.
The construction of a bridge over the River Can in 1199 led to a charter allowing the then Bishop of London, to open a weekly marketplace close to the bridge. The term Chelmsford originated from Ceolmaer's ford and officially became the name of the town in 1189.
In 1218, Chelmsford earned recognition as a county town.
The Black Death wreaked havoc on Chelmsford from 1348 to 1349, wiping out half of the county town’s population.
In the 17th century, a self-proclaimed Witchfinder General named Matthew Hopkins imprisoned some individuals for practicing witchcraft, which led to their death by hanging.
In 1843, the railway found its way to Chelmsford, which aided in the economic growth of the county town. Various industries such as electrical engineering thrived. And in 1899, Guglielmo Marconi introduced radio to the world by opening radio laboratories in Chelmsford.
Chelmsford suffered bomb and missile attacks during World War II. A V2 rocket struck Henry Road, a residential street near the Hoffman ball bearing plant. The 1943 Luftwaffe raid laid waste to the county town’s centre, leaving almost a thousand people homeless.
The defence-related enterprises in Chelmsford experienced a decline in the 1980s.One of the most prominent businesses, the Marconi Company closed and sold their factories. This scenario didn’t stop the county town’s progress. With its location near London, Chelmsford started to have luxury penthouses, housing projects, and other developments.
Popular things to do in Chelmsford
- Visit the Chelmsford Cathedral - https://www.chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk/
- Watch horse races at the Chelmsford City Racecourse - https://chelmsfordcityracecourse.com/
- Tour the Chelmsford City Museum - https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/
- Explore the RHS Garden Hyde Hall - https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall
- Walk around the Hylands Park - https://hylandsestate.co.uk/
Free things to do in Chelmsford
- Go around the Meadows Shopping Centre - http://www.themeadows.co.uk/
- Relax in the Central Park, Bell Meadow and Sky Blue Pasture - https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/parks-and-allotments/
- Wander through the High Chelmer Shopping Centre - https://www.highchelmer.com/
- Take a glimpse of the town’s history in the Essex Police Museum - https://www.essex.police.uk/museum/
- Drop by the Bond Street - https://bondstreetchelmsford.com/
Great for kids in Chelmsford
- Relax at the White Elm Garden Centre & Tea Room - https://whiteelmgardencentre.com/
- Rent a bike from the Radical Bikes C.I.C.- https://radicalbikes.co.uk/
- Ejoy various sports at the Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre - https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/leisure-centres/riverside/
- Play games at the Mace Playce - https://www.softplaycentrechelmsford.co.uk/
- Appreciate the gardens of Hylands Estate - https://hylandsestate.co.uk/
Great for dogs in Chelmsford
- Go on a fun walk in The Naze at Walton-on-the-Naze
- Take a breath of fresh air at the Langdon Hills Country Park
- Run around the Danbury Country Park
Dog friendly bars
- Channels Bar and Brasserie
- The Black Horse
- The Cricketers Inn
Dog friendly restaurants
- The Black Bull
- The Fox and Raven
- The Bootmaker
Did you know?
The tallest building in Chelmsford is the 360-foot radar tower known as the Chain Home. The structure is located in the civil parish of Great Baddow. The Grade II listed tower was founded in 1937 in a former Royal Air Force base in Canewdon.
The hidden gems of Chelmsford
The Chelmsford Treasure Trail is perfect for explorers. It features a 1.6-mile circular loop treasure trail with a murder mystery theme. A group of four to five persons may share one trail booklet for the treasure hunt adventure which typically requires two hours to finish. Aside from the fun activity, visitors will enjoy the picturesque places and views along the way.
Unique to Chelmsford
Among Chelmsford’s most successful and remarkable personalities are Florence Attridge, Tom Payne, Tom Bury, Sarah Cracknell, and Sir Nicholas Conyngham Tindal.
