Summary
Chelmsford, the county town of Essex, is beautifully situated at the junction of the Rivers Can and Chelmer. Located 30 miles from London’s city center, Chelmsford serves as a hub for commuters to London’s financial districts while also being a significant regional employer, largely due to Guglielmo Marconi establishing his Wireless Telegraph Company in the area.
For those interested in heritage, Hylands House, an 18th-century villa set in expansive grounds, operates as a country park and has hosted the V Festival (now known as RiZE) since 1996. The city’s revitalized museum is a notable attraction, along with the Essex Police Museum. A short drive away, visitors can also explore Tudor Ingatestone Hall and the beautifully landscaped Royal Horticultural Society garden at Hyde Hall.
This article explores the best activities in Chelmsford:
1. Hylands Estate
The Chelmsford City Council undertook to revive this Neoclassical villa, thus saving it from dereliction in 1966. The estate now hosts festivals, children’s events, and markets amid its sprawling grounds.
Restorations were completed in 2005, with Hylands House now available for community functions and lavish weddings.
Visitors interested in the villa’s history may check the schedule of open days to view interiors dating back to the 1730s.
The stable block features a gift shop, café, and artists’ studios.
Everyday guests can enjoy the expansive 574-acre country park, which includes ancient woodlands and meticulously maintained Victorian gardens.
The children’s adventure playground, styled as a Medieval fortress, is conveniently located near the park’s entrance and has received awards for its design.
2. Chelmsford Cathedral
Originally the Church of St Mary, the Chelmsford Cathedral was established in 1914 alongside the formation of the Chelmsford Diocese.
This church, consecrated at the beginning of the 13th century, underwent substantial rebuilding in the 1400s and 1500s, and modifications to the nave and chancel were made in the 19th century.
Chelmsford Cathedral is noted to be the third smallest cathedral in England, retaining a significant amount of its Perpendicular Gothic architecture in the nave and lower chancel.
The nave ceiling, reconstructed by 1803, features circular plaster moldings adorned with pastel hues.
The South Porch was expanded in 1953 to honor the collaboration between British and American forces during the Second World War.
Do not overlook the American Window, showcasing the stars and stripes along with the insignia of the US Air Force and George Washington.
3. Chelmsford Museum
As the administrative center of Essex, Chelmsford boasts a top-tier town museum that merits a visit.
Housed in Oaklands House, a Victorian mansion once owned by entrepreneur Charles Pertwee, the museum features a remarkable neo-Romanesque campanile.
The museum has recently undergone a multimillion-pound expansion and encompasses various aspects of Chelmsford’s history.
Exhibitions delve into local industries, including the pioneering work of R. E. B. Crompton in electrical engineering, Guglielmo Marconi’s Wireless Telegraph Company, and Hoffmann Ball Bearings, another significant employer.
Grayson Perry, a celebrated British artist hailing from Chelmsford, is featured with an exhibition of his distinctive pottery.
The “Story of Chelmsford” exhibition chronicles thousands of years of history, showcasing Ice Age mammoth bones, Roman and Celtic coins, and a model of the Marconi and Hoffmann factories, which was created by the Luftwaffe in anticipation of a bombing operation and later discovered at a German airfield post-war.
4. Central Park
For a tranquil respite, Central Park meanders along the northern bank of the River Can in the heart of Chelmsford.
The park comprises meadows, pastures, a nature reserve, a war memorial garden, and a sizable lake inhabited by geese and swans.
Located on the southern shore is the Cake at the Lake café, an integral part of local community life, while the Central Park Viaduct provides a striking visual element.
This impressive 18-arch construction dates back to 1842, originally built for the Eastern Counties Railway.
A stroll along the River Can allows visitors to experience the illusion of being in a natural setting, despite the proximity to one of Essex’s largest urban centers.
5. Essex Police Museum
This museum offers a comprehensive overview of over 150 years of policing and justice in Essex, located adjacent to Chelmsford Prison at the Essex Police Headquarters.
Many exhibits showcase the Victorian era and the 20th century, which were characterized by swift and sometimes harsh justice.
Among the notable displays is the death mask of Frederick Browne, who was convicted of murdering a police officer in 1928 and executed four months later.
Morbid artifacts include the shoes of Camille Holland, a victim of the infamous Moat Farm Murder of 1898, which garnered nationwide attention.
Conversely, visitors can step into a Victorian cell and examine a Noddy bike, a small four-stroke vehicle utilized by officers in the mid-20th century.
Children may also dress up as officers and have their fingerprints taken as part of the interactive exhibits.
6. Shire Hall
Shire Hall stands as the most architecturally notable secular building at the center of Chelmsford. This Neoclassical courthouse, completed in 1791, is located on New Street and features a striking pediment and four Ionic columns, adorned with three bas-reliefs symbolizing Justice, Wisdom, and Mercy.
The façade, constructed from Portland stone sourced from Dorset, is situated on a site that has hosted a court from as early as the 13th century until its closure in 2012.
As a listed building, Shire Hall is secure and, as of June 2018, plans were underway for its transformation into a restaurant and community space.
7. RHS Garden Hyde Hall
This garden is an essential summer destination, one of four internationally recognized locations maintained by the Royal Horticultural Society.
Spanning 360 acres, the garden was first established in 1955 on a hilltop surrounded by arable farmland and provides sweeping panoramic views.
The initial 60 trees were purchased at a market in nearby Wickford and formed the foundation of Hyde Hall’s Woodland Garden.
At its core, Hyde Hall is designed with a formal layout, where roses are framed by cypress hedges, leading to expansive meadows and grasslands in the outer precincts.
Inspirational features include herbaceous borders, a courtyard garden, ornamental water features, and a drought-tolerant garden showcasing succulents and cacti.
Additionally, Hyde Hall houses a modern visitor center with a gift shop, café, and nursery.
8. Ingatestone Hall
Situated just five miles from Chelmsford, this Tudor estate, constructed by Sir William Petre in the 16th century, remains in the possession of his descendants.
William Petre served as Secretary of State during the reigns of several Tudor monarchs, including Henry VIII and Elizabeth I (who stayed here in 1561). He acquired the manor following the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII’s rule. Ingatestone Hall features distinctive and intricate chimney pots synonymous with Tudor architecture.
The estate showcases crow-stepped gables and features a courtyard with a crenelated turret accessible via a spiral staircase.
A guided tour allows visitors to explore eight rooms, adorned with rich tapestries, period furniture, portraits, and exquisite oak paneling.
Your guide will narrate the story of the Petre family and the distinguished guests who have visited Ingatestone Hall over the centuries.
9. Jump Street
Located in a retail park to the east of Chelmsford, Jump Street stands out as a significant trampoline park, noteworthy for its expansive size and innovative design.
The majority of the warehouse’s floor is covered with trampolines, providing an energetic and safe environment for both children and adults.
Adults looking for a low-impact cardiovascular workout can benefit from available fitness classes, while Jump Street’s primary appeal lies in its attractions for children.
Daily “open jump” sessions invite youngsters to enjoy the park, engaging in activities such as tackling the Bag, a giant inflatable crash mat, and navigating Toxic Wipeout, where they must dodge a rotating soft barrier.
10. Civic Theatre
Situated at the Civic Centre, Chelmsford’s largest theatre underwent renovations in 2016 and accommodates an audience of 504 across the stalls and balcony.
During school holidays, the Civic Theatre offers a diverse range of activity days and shows aimed primarily at children.
Throughout the year, the venue hosts a rich array of events, including drama, live music, comedy, musicals, and dance performances.
Moreover, talks featuring notable figures such as politicians, historians, and athletes are regularly scheduled.
The Civic Theatre also screens the latest Hollywood releases alongside classic films, independent productions, and live broadcasts from prestigious institutions such as London’s Royal Opera House and Glyndebourne.
11. Sandford Mill Museum
Although typically not open to the public, Sandford Mill can be visited during designated open days or with prior arrangements through Chelmsford Borough Council.
Located on the River Chelmer, this former waterworks facility has evolved into a repository for Chelmsford’s industrial heritage, showcasing exhibits related to electrical engineering, telecommunications, and rolling bearings.
Much of the original infrastructure from the waterworks remains intact, including dials, historic turbines, and control panels, complemented by specially designed exhibits aimed at engaging children with concepts like sound waves, aerodynamics, and friction.
12. Chelmsford City Miniature Railway
Operated by the Chelmsford Society of Model Engineers, this charming miniature railway situated on Meteor Way by the River Can reflects the passion and dedication of its operators.
The miniature railway runs on Sunday afternoons from April through October and offers a special charity day in October, where all proceeds support a local cause.
Children can enjoy a variety of tracks, along with a collection of beautifully maintained miniature steam traction engines and a range of static train models.
13. Chelmsford City Racecourse
Following the closure of the original Chelmsford Racecourse in Galleywood in 1935, the region experienced a lack of horseracing venues until the new Chelmsford City Racecourse was inaugurated in 2008. It marked the first new racecourse in England in over 80 years, undergoing relaunch under new ownership in 2014 after facing initial challenges. Chelmsford City hosts flat races throughout the year, with the season particularly thriving in summer, highlighted by prestigious events such as the Queen Charlotte Fillies’ Stakes and a special “Ladies’ Day” at the end of June.
Moreover, floodlit races and major events typically culminate with live musical performances and DJs.
14. High Chelmer
As a regional commercial center, Chelmsford attracts numerous shoppers, with many making High Chelmer their first stop.
This expansive shopping center is conveniently located just a three-minute walk from the train station.
High Chelmer offers a diverse range of retailers, from luxury brands such as Bang & Olufsen to popular high-street stores including Next, New Look, Miss Selfridge, Office, Game, Clarks, and Primark.
Additionally, it houses a club shop for the football team Tottenham Hotspur, which boasts a strong following in Essex.
When it comes to dining options, visitors can choose from fast food outlets like Subway to casual dining chains such as the well-loved pasta restaurant, Carluccio’s.
High Chelmer is part of an extensive shopping area that extends eastward to include department stores like John Lewis and Marks and Spencer, as well as the Meadows Shopping Centre.
15. RiZE Festival
Initially launched in 1996, the V Festival was held annually in the expansive grounds of Hylands House during the third weekend of August.
Over more than two decades, the festival attracted major acts such as Jay Z, Radiohead, Eminem, and Sonic Youth, becoming a staple of the British festival season alongside Reading and Glastonbury.
In 2017, however, Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, which originally sponsored the event and gave it the “V” in its name, withdrew their support, raising concerns about the festival’s future.
The festival was successfully rebranded as RiZE in 2018, featuring notable artists such as Liam Gallagher, the Stereophonics, and Rita Ora during its inaugural event.
