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City in Essex, England
Photo: (WT-en) Matthew Reames, CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Chelmsford is largely a commercial city that is the county town of Essex, England. Chelmsford has a vibrant nightlife scene with many pubs, late night bars and restaurant establishments in the city centre area. Its central Essex location and good public transport links make the city ideal for revellers, commuters and tourists to visit from surrounding areas.
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The church of St Mary the Virgin in Chelmsford was probably built along with the town 800 years ago. It was rebuilt in the 15th and early 16th centuries, with walls of flint rubble, stone and brick. There is also a tower and spire with a ring of thirteen bells. The nave was again rebuilt in the early 19th century, after it had partially collapsed. Enclosed in beautiful gardens which offer a haven for the local populace, especially summer lunchtimes, the cathedral is open year-round and entry is free.
Hylands House and Park just to the west of the town is a country house and parkland, saved from dereliction and purchased by the local council in 1966 after the death of the last private owner. Much damaged by fire and vandalism by the time of the sale, the house has now been completely restored by Chelmsford Borough Council. The house dates from 1730, and the park (574 acres or 232 ha) was landscaped by Humphry Repton. Open to the public and used for a wide range of community events, it is also available for weddings and other private hires including conferences, etc. The park has been the site of annual music festivals, such as the V Festival and the ill-fated Council-run Chelmsford Spectacular. It was the site for the 21st World Scout Jamboree in 2007 and hosted Eurojam two years before in the summer of 2005.
The Shire Hall Chelmsford. The Shire Hall is at the top of the High Street. Opened in July 1791 and built by local architect and County Surveyor John Johnson, it features a Portland Stone façade. One of the oldest and most prominent buildings in Chelmsford, it was built as a courthouse, which it has remained.
Ice Rink & Leisure Centre
Offers a fine selection of Italian-style pizza and pasta at good prices and far better quality than the nearby Pizza Hut. Expect to pay about £12 for a meal.
Indian Restaurant & Take-away
A good option, light, airy and with a good menu, expect to pay £8-10 for a curry.
Pub, food & rooms. Its water-side location makes for excellent outdoor dining in splendid gardens.
Chinese Restaurant
Possibly the best Chinese restaurant, meals are rarely under £30 a head but the quality is worth it.
Does a roaring trade on Friday and Saturday night, but watch out for the hygiene, it's not great.
Chinese Restaurant
Chinese Take-away
formerly Chicagos
A young crowd.
Pub & Food
A pub for the alternative reveller. On Fridays, Saturdays and sometimes in the weekhas bands (often cover bands) and also has a pool table. It has a large smoking area with tables, patio heaters and cover and serves beer from a Brentwood Brewery.
Pub & Food
Near the train station, in the viaduct, the Ale House serves a wide range of real ales and ciders. The staff are friendly and always happy to recommend beers and offer samples. The building is also very clean and close to the local Strip Club, convenient for the customer who has enjoyed many ales.
Pub & Food
Normally the first stop for people attempting 'the 9', however this shouldn't put you off as most of the revelers have left by 8PM, leaving colourful locals and the fisherman who enters about 10PM on a Friday and Saturday selling fresh catches of the day. The beer on tap is more of a traditional selection, although among the ales you will find a good selection of lagers, ciders and bottled brews from the four corners of the world. There is a little known lounge area to the rear and although empty and comfortable, is not as much fun as the front of house. Sky TV is in place and they show match of the day on Saturday nights, just don't slag off West Ham too much or the landlord will bar you!
Pub
Looks almost like an old country pub from the outside but inside its dark and rather intimidating. The staff though are friendly and the whole place gives you the impression that its bark is worse than its bite. Possibly had the same carpet since 1750, but fine for a stop off, most of the customers will be on some sort of pub crawl. Does have rather a good DJ on the Saturday though who likes to be challenged, and a quiz on Sunday that is friendly and well-supported.
Pub
Should definitely be paid a visit, in a rather sad homage to the bars of New York, pictures of all who have visited the bar are displayed all around. While the faces of John Pertwee and Frank Bruno are hardly movie stars, there will always be a collection of revellers deep in conversation about who is who on the walls, and more often and not shouts across the small bar of lookalikes seated across the room will echo before too long. Not a big place or huge drink selection but all good fun. Watch the step to the bathroom on the way in, and your head on the way out, the toilet door opens onto the dartboard!
Pub & Food
Seems to have a different owner each week and good evenings there seem to come with the tides. More of a locals pub, apart from a very random Reggae album in the jukebox it should probably be avoided until it's finally taken on by new owners.
Pub & Food
Just off Moulsham St and is a roughly Irish-Theamed pub, expect wood floors, leather armchairs and high spirits. A good selection of beers and the only bottled Staranpramen in town make this a popular all night venue, particularly in the summer when the small but perfectly formed patio opens up. Sky TV is installed but don't expect volume after the match!
Friendly country pub, does good food. Also has rooms, B&B double £150. The mill itself fell out of use in 1904.
Hotel & restaurant. Free Wi-Fi. Free parking.
Wi-Fi.
Free Wi-Fi. No pets. Free on-site parking
Free Wi-Fi. Restaurant.
The newest shopping centre in the town was completed in the late 1990s. It is built on ground floor level and includes Wilko and not much else these days. It once was regarded as the better shopping centre and is now rather empty both in terms of shops and customers. Chelmsford already had its fill of good retailers when it was built, and as such it is normally fairly quiet and serves best as a car park.
The older of the two shopping centres, retailers include Primark, Office, River Island, Boots, HMV, Primark and many more. Expect a crush at Christmas time.
Bond street is the newest development in the centre of town. It was redeveloped on an old car park, as an outdoor shopping centre. It contains John Lewis and other relatively upmarket shops, 7 restaurants and a cinema.
Supermarket
Petrol & pharmacy (different hours). Wi-Fi
Supermarket
Cycle Sales, Accessories, Parts & Workshop
Sales, Accessories/Parts & Workshop
By plane
By train
By bus
Chelmsford's bus station is on Duke Street adjacent to the rail station and is a hub for urban and interurban bus services which connect to most towns within Essex as well as a frequent shuttle…
By bicycle
Chelmsford is on National Cycle Route 1 from Dover to the Shetland Islands, and the local section is between London and Colchester via the Lee Valley.
By car
Access into Chelmsford is very good although be prepared to wait in queues in the centre of town, particularly along Victoria Road and Parkway. Rush hour is between 7-10AM and again from 4:30-7PM.
By bus
The internal bus service is very good although schedules are rarely stuck too.
By taxi
There are many taxi firms available in the town and all are clearly marked, so never accept a ride from one that isn't. Nearly all are saloon cars although there are more black cabs available.
By bike
The Town Centre is sometimes difficult to navigate when cycling, however it has improved dramatically: there are many cycle routes to and from the town.
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London, Essex · International · STN
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