Chelmsford - a city in Essex with a history that goes back a long way. With evidence of settlements nearby in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, it was granted a town charter in 1199 by King John to hold a market. The market itself is still a part of the city to this day, and city status was granted to the City of Chelmsford in 2012. As with many places, Chelmsford has some twin towns - namely Annonay in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in France and Backnang in Baden-Württemburg in Germany, with a sister city of Wuxi in China.

Image Credit: Daniel Cooke | Unsplash

Getting to Chelmsford is fairly simple. It's on the line from London to Norwich, with several services each hour. It's also easy to access from Heathrow Airport, with only one or two changes required thanks to the Elizabeth line services to Shenfield. London City Airport is also within relatively easy reach, and London's other airports (Gatwick, Luton, Stansted) are also possibilities for convenient transport to the city of Chelmsford. Make sure you use our website to slash your travel costs for getting to Chelmsford - our algorithm works to ensure you get the cheapest rail tickets possible.

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Getting around Chelmsford

• Walk/cycle. Chelmsford is of a fair size, but it's still easy to get around on foot, which makes it ideal if you're on a budget or want to get some exercise in during your time away. Chelmsford's also ideally-located for taking in some countryside, and a good number of possible walks you can take in the local area can be found HERE.
• Bus. If you'd like a convenient way of getting around Chelmsford, then why not consider the bus network? There are a number of routes connecting the city centre with its suburbs, and a wide variety of ticket options available to suit plenty of group sizes & travel needs. The main bus terminal in Chelmsford is on Duke Street next door to the station, which makes it easy to change between the two methods of transport. One of the key bus companies in Chelmsford is First Bus Essex, and information on the services they offer can be found HERE.
• Taxi. There are a number of taxi companies operating in Chelmsford, and taxis can be a great way of getting around if you have restricted mobility or a sizeable amount of luggage. However, it's worth bearing in mind that the cost of taxis can add up if you're planning on taking a few of them.

So, what is there to do in and around Chelmsford? Read on, and you'll be able to find out what you can do here once you've purchased great-value train tickets from our website.

Sports

For many places in the UK, football is the most well-known sport. In something of a change, this is arguably not the case for Chelmsford, where cricket is instead the key sport. Essex County Cricket Club, one of the 18 first-class cricket clubs in the UK, is based at the County Ground just off New Whittle Street to the south of the city centre and on the banks of the River Can. The team was founded in 1876, and some of their most well-known players include Graham Gooch, Alastair Cook, and Darren Gough. The ground itself has hosted One Day International cricket matches, with the first being between Australia and India during the 1983 Cricket World Cup. For further information on the cricket club, visit their website HERE.

Image Credit: Essex Cricket | Twitter

Chelmsford does have a football club as well, named Chelmsford City FC, and they play their games at the Melbourne Stadium to the north-west of the city centre. If you fancy watching some football outside the Football League (at the time of writing, Chelmsford City are in the National League South - the sixth tier of English football), why not consider going along? Additional information on the club can be found HERE. If you fancy something a little different, then the Chelmsford Chieftains - the city's ice hockey team - play in the National Ice Hockey League at the Riverside Ice & Leisure Centre on Victoria Road to the east of the city centre. Other sports with a presence in the city include rugby union thanks to Chelmsford RFC and also horse racing, with Chelmsford City Racecourse opening in 2008 - the first brand-new racecourse in the UK since Taunton opened in 1927. One of the most well-known sportspeople to come from Chelmsford in recent years is racing driver Oliver Bearman, who made his Formula 1 début with Ferrari at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the tender age of 18, finishing in seventh place. Through doing this, he became Ferrari's youngest-ever Formula 1 driver and the youngest F1 driver to score points in their début race.

Are you a Sports Fan? Trainsplit has partnered with Pledgeball, a grassroots charity that rallies fellow fans to take action to protect where we play, making changes that improve our air and our green spaces. It can be as simple as swapping to reusable water bottles or taking the train to a match instead of driving. Fans, players, clubs, grassroots teams – the impact we can have together is game-changing.

History

Chelmsford was granted a town charter in 1199, and was noted as the county town of Essex in 1218, a title it still carries to this day. The town also played a significant role during the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. One building of particular note is Chelmsford Cathedral, which is believed to have started construction during the 13th century, and then became consecrated as a cathedral in 1914 on the creation of the Diocese of Chelmsford. The cathedral is dedicated to three different saints - St Mary the Virgin, St Peter and St Cedd.

Image Credit: Noah Yek | Unsplash

 Chelmsford is also known for being a key site in the development of radio, with Guglielmo Marconi opening a factory on Hall Street in 1899, this being the first radio factory in the world. Hylands House, a Grade II*-listed property in Hylands Park to the south-west of the city, is well worth a visit. The park itself was used as a prisoner-of-war camp during World War II, and hosted both the 2005 European Scout Jamboree and the 2007 World Scout Jamboree. Also of note is that the house was used as a double for the White House in the Netflix series The Crown. If you want to have a look into the history of Chelmsford and the surrounding area, then why not visit Chelmsford Museum on the southern edge of the city in Oaklands Park? Incorporated within Chelmsford Museum is the Essex Regiment Museum. One of the other more well-known museums in the city is the Essex Police Museum on Kingston Crescent towards the east of the city, which tells the history of the police force in Essex. Of additional note is the Shire Hall at the top of the High Street near the Cathedral. In possession of Grade II*-listed status, the building was the home of the city's courts until a new Crown Court opened in 1982, and new Magistrates Courts opened in 2012, bringing an end to the building's history as a court venue. The building was recently used as a filming location for the 2024 ITV series Mr Bates vs the Post Office, with the Shire Hall doubling for Winchester Crown Court.

Culture

Given its association with Guglielmo Marconi, it's perhaps not a surprise that Chelmsford is sometimes nicknamed 'the birthplace of radio', with a number of radio stations having held a presence in the city over the years. For the theatrical side of things, Chelmsford Theatre on Fairfield Road is a short walk from Chelmsford station, with a whole host of different productions and events on its calendar.

Image Credit: Chelmsford Theatre | Chelmsford Theatre

If you're interested in amateur theatre, then perhaps the Old Court Theatre on Springfield Road towards the east of the city may be worth looking into. For those who are interested in fine art, then perhaps Clarendon Fine Art on Bond Street would be worth considering, with a number of different works on display. For a number of years, Hylands Park was a location for V Festival, and has also recently been used as the southern location for the dance music festival Creamfields. There are plenty of music events going on in Chelmsford, and some of them can be found HERE. One of the more famous musicians to come from Chelmsford is Harry Judd, the drummer for pop-rock band McFly. Some other famous names to hail from Chelmsford are actors Tom Payne and Joe Thomas and the artist Sir Grayson Perry.

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Dining recommendations

Visiting a new place can be exciting, but one thing that some people might find challenging is finding somewhere to eat. In Chelmsford, there are so many places to eat, with a variety of cuisines and budgets. We've put together a few options to show what the city has to offer.

Cheap eats

Lek's Thai Food
Address: Chelmsford Market, Bellmead, Chelmsford CM1 1XF
If you enjoy Thai food, then Lek's Thai Food in Chelmsford Market is well worth considering. Sited to the south of the city centre, it's just a short walk from the County Ground on the other side of the River Can. The starters include chicken satay (grilled chicken thigh skewers with peanut dipping sauce), pork & prawn spring rolls (crisp-fried & served with sweet chilli sauce), and vegetable toast (fried & served with sweet chilli sauce). Noodle dishes include the classic pad thai (rice noodles stir-fried in a tangy tomatoes sauce with egg, bean sprouts, spring onion, and topped with ground peanuts & chilli), and the soups include the classic tom yum (Thai hot & sour soup infused with lime, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, fresh mushrooms, and tomatoes). There are a good number of curries on the menu, including red curry (a savoury curry deriving colour from red chilies and flavours from a blend of herbs and spices), panang curry (a subtly flavoured curry with sweet and salty notes & flavours from dried red chillies, lemongrass, galangal, coriander seed, and kaffir lime leaf), and jungle curry (a wild mixture of vegetable curry with extremely spicy soup consists of mix herb, Galangal, kaffir lime leaf, lemongrass, red chili). Many of the main courses have a choice of additional fillings, so you can customise your meal according to your own tastes.

The Gardeners
Address: Forsythia Close, Chelmsford CM1 6XW
Found on the outskirts of Chelmsford near Beaulieu Park, the Gardeners is a popular pub with good value for money. It's run by pub chain Greene King, which can be ideal if you're looking for something perhaps a bit more familiar on your travels. There are a variety of dishes for starting your meal off, including mozzarella sticks, crispy Louisiana-style chicken strips, and the ever-popular cheesy garlic bread. Main courses have some of the classic pub fare with some newer additions, including gammon & eggs (two 4oz gammon steaks, two free-range fried eggs, half a grilled tomato, chips, peas - weight of gammon steaks is uncooked weight), Whitby scampi (with chips and either mushy or garden peas), and Quorn Katsu (two Quorn™ buttermilk-style fillets with chip shop curry sauce, rice, oven-baked chips, and a spicy herb garnish). For dessert, the choices include chocolate fudge cake (served warm with either vanilla or chocolate flavour ice-cream), strawberries & cream ice-cream cake (cookie dough base topped with strawberry ice cream, white chocolate ganache, meringue crumbs and drizzled with strawberry flavour sauce), and a vegan apple pie slice.

Mid-range

Moto Pizza
Address: 24 Baddow Road, Chelmsford CM2 0DG
Pizza is often a winner when it comes to finding somewhere to eat, and Moto is one of the best places in Colchester to find some, but there's a twist. Sited in the south of the city centre, the restaurant offers bottomless pizza, with slices being offered on an as-and-when-wanted basis. The different toppings do change, but Moto will have several classics on offer, with some rotating specials also available for selection. The takeaway menu gives a good idea of the different pizzas served here, which include classics such as the margherita (mozzarella, Parmesan, basil), pepperoni (mozzarella, pepperoni), and ham & mushroom (mozzarella, ham, mushroom). Some other options include spicy meat (mozzarella, spicy salami, 'nduja, chilli), mixed vegetable (mozzarella, red pepper, sweetcorn, red onion, mushroom, olives), and anchovy (anchovy, basil, garlic - note that this pizza doesn't have cheese). One thing to note regarding the drinks menu is that the wine is served on tap as opposed to from the bottle, which - in addition to helping it stay fresh - also helps to reduce the carbon footprint.

Image Credit: Moto Pizza | Facebook

Turquoise
Address: Unit 2-3 The Exchange Shopping Centre, Exchange Way, Chelmsford CM1 1XB
If you enjoy Turkish cuisine but want something a little more upmarket, then look no further than Turquoise. Found in one of the main shopping centres in Chelmsford, it's one of the most well-liked restaurants in the city. The starters are varied, with hot options including sucuk (chargrilled mild spicy sausage), pan-fried prawns (pan-fried prawns, garlic butter, lemon, fresh herbs), and borek roll (rolled pastry filled with feta cheese and spinach, served with sweet chili sauce). Cold options to start include hummus (chickpeas in tahini), tarama (smoked cod roe mousse, onion, lemon, bread, olive oil), and patlican soclu (fried aubergine, onion, red and green peppers, garlic, tomato sauce). There are a large number of options for main courses, including sea bass fillet (seasoned & chargrilled sea bass fillet, baby potatoes, seasonal vegetables), lamb shish (chargrilled lean tender lamb skewers), meat mussaka (minced meat, aubergine, mixed peppers, potatoes, courgette, tomatoes, garlic, onions, rice, oven-cooked with béchamel sauce), halloumi broccoli (broccoli sautéed with halloumi cheese, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and onions), and many more. For dessert, why not choose from options such as the house baklava (golden brown filo, filled with crushed pistachio, topped with syrup, served with ice-cream), vegan dark chocolate & cherry tart (vegan dark chocolate ganache, black cherries, topped with flaked almonds, drizzled with dark chocolate mirror glaze in a sweet vegan pastry), or a choice of different flavours of ice-cream?

Brewhouse & Kitchen
Address: Anne Knight Building, Duke St, Chelmsford CM1 1LW
For somewhere that does quality pub food with a difference, then Brewhouse & Kitchen in Chelmsford is an ideal place to consider. Sited in the Anne Knight Building, it's right by Chelmsford station, which makes it very convenient. If you like locally-brewed beer, then you're in luck, as this is one of the things that Brewhouse & Kitchen focus on with several venues across the country - some of the beer is made on-site. In addition to this, while some menus have additional wine pairings to their dishes, it perhaps won't be a huge surprise to learn that several of the dishes here have their own beer pairings! The starters here consist of a collection of small plates to mix & match, and these include halloumi fries (served with sweet chilli dipping sauce and pickled red onions), salt & pepper calamari (with garlic & herb mayo), and smoked beef brisket burnt ends (tossed in Beer-B-Cue sauce) - perfect to snack on with a pint or share among friends. One of the flagship mains here is 'beer can chicken', with the chicken coated in a choice of dry rub (B&K Classic Seasoned Rub, Smoky Beer-B-Cue, and Hot Habanero Honey being among the choices) and steamed over a can of their own-brewed American Pale Ale. Other available options include a Korean chicken burger (southern-fried chicken breast, sticky Korean sauce, crunchy red cabbage slaw, coriander, red pepper, Korean mayo, sesame seeds), oak-smoked boneless pork belly rib (sticky & smoky Beer-B-Cue sauce, hop & herb salted fries, spicy corn ribs, BBQ pit beans), and a roasted squash & halloumi mezze bowl (lightly-roasted squash, grilled halloumi, roasted cherry tomatoes, red cabbage slaw, leaf salad, yogurt dip, flatbread). For dessert, the options include a Belgian chocolate cookie bake (with vanilla ice-cream and warm Nutella sauce), sticky toffee pudding (with vanilla ice-cream or custard), and a warmed Bakewell slice (sweet pastry with a rich almond centre served with custard - vegan option available here).

Fine dining

The New London
Address: 147 New London Road, Chelmsford CM2 0AA
If you enjoy fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere, then why not pay a visit to The New London? Situated on New London Road south-west of the city centre, the restaurant is passionate about seasonal food, with a focus on British produce as much as is possible. The choices for starters can include broccoli velouté (chilli cheddar cheese bon bon, chilli oil), confit duck leg rillette (chicory, pickled carrot, orange gel, croûtes), and brown crab (pearl barley risotto, spring onion cream, chilli, tarragon). The main course have options such as lamb rump (salsa verde, spiced lamb potato fondant, purple broccoli, spiced nut crumb), stone bass (tempura mussels, chicken ginger broth, charred spring onions, chive), and wholegrain mustard gnocchi (tender stem, spiced nut crumb, pickled chilli, vegetable jus). For dessert, choices include a caramel panna cotta (brûlée banana, chantilly, brown sugar biscuit), a chocolate fondant (coffee ice-cream, candied walnuts, brown sugar crumb), and a lemon tart (sablé biscuit, yoghurt ice-cream, sesame tuille, candied peel). Further to this, why not consider the cheeseboard, with an assortment of cheeses, artisan crackers, and chutney? The wine list is also very much worth choosing something from, with bottles chosen from across the world, so you should be able to find something you'll enjoy.

Channels Bar & Brasserie
Address: Pratts Farm Lane East, Chelmsford CM3 3PT
For something a bit different, why not consider Channels Bar & Brasserie? Found on the north-eastern outskirts of the city, they pride themselves on sourcing produce from local businesses, and they also own their very own bee hive. In addition to this, sustainability of produce is important to them, and the venue is also licensed to hold weddings. The small plates to start your meal off can include things like house maple bacon (with scallops, parsnip toffee, and dukkha), whitebait (with spicy tartar), salt-baked beets (with whipped feta and walnut), and bolognese arancini (with truffle and manchego). The main courses are varied, with the options including 10oz ribeye of beef (with spinach, rustic chips, and either peppercorn or garlic butter), miso blackened cod (with bok choy, leek & shiitake broth, and pickled ginger), and puttanesca linguine  (with tomato, olive, and caper). The dessert options here include croissant bread & butter pudding, tiramisu, and a farmhouse cheese platter (with grapes, quince paste, and crackers).

If you're in Chelmsford and fancy something a little bit different to do, then why not visit the Epping-Ongar Railway, with its terminus in nearby Chipping Ongar? Now a heritage line, the railway saw London Underground services until September 1994, and North Weald station on the line was used as a filming location for a scene in the first season of Heartstopper on Netflix. Also of note in nearby Kelvedon Hatch is the Secret Nuclear Bunker, built during the Cold War.

For those who may want to indulge in some retail therapy while in Chelmsford, then there a number of locations where you can do this. One is High Chelmer Shopping Centre in the west of the city centre, and there's also the Meadows Shopping Centre in the south. Both locations have a mix of stores to suit all kinds of tastes and desires.

Fans of horticulture may wish to visit the RHS Garden at Hyde Hall to the south-east of Chelmsford. The site has records going back as far as 1086, with its history as a large garden dating to 1955 when the farmhouse & estate were purchased by Dick & Helen Robinson. There are a number of different gardens, including a Winter Garden, a Herbaceous Border, and the Queen Mother's Garden.

Image Credit: Visit Essex | Visit Essex

Overnighting in Chelmsford

Maximise your Coventry experience by extending your stay in this historic city. Whether you're drawn to its architecture, its museums, or maybe an event at the stadium or one of the theatres, Coventry provides diverse accommodation options for every preference and budget. Uncover the ideal place to unwind and rejuvenate for another day of exploration.

Looking to book your stay? Click here to explore the variety of accommodations for an overnight break. 

Book your accommodation here

We very much hope that this has convinced you to take a city break to Chelmsford. If we have, then fantastic! Our customer service team is on hand to help you with any queries you may have regarding booking train tickets to Chelmsford, and our website is there to help you in getting great-value tickets for your journey.

Getting the best-value rail tickets possible is something that we at Trainsplit are sure many people want to do. This can include booking in advance, using a Railcard if you have one, travelling outside peak times, and – of course – splitting tickets via our website. If you’d like further information on any of these, please get in touch, and we’ll do what we can to assist you. We do have a comprehensive booking guide here at Trainsplit on the booking process, which we hope will be very useful, and we’ve covered some of the main points below. 

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Our top tips and ways to cut down train travel costs on your train tickets to Chelmsford

Book Your Train Tickets Early

If you know when you are planning to travel, booking early can save you money on your train tickets. With Advance fares becoming available up to 12 weeks ahead, this is a great way to save on your rail travel.

Use a Railcard

Teamed up with a railcard, you can get up to a third off the cost, saving you more money on your train tickets. If you make a lot of train journeys, a railcard will pay for itself in no time.

Split Your Tickets

With Trainsplit’s unique journey planner, we search for the best-priced train tickets for your journey. You can easily discover the best split ticketing combinations that maximise your savings on train tickets, and best of all, Trainsplit will do all the work for you and doesn’t charge a booking fee.

Avoid Peak Times

If you don't need to travel early in the morning, consider traveling off-peak to save money on more expensive train tickets. Trains are also likely to be quieter during off-peak hours, which usually start from around 09:30 onwards.

Travelling with More than 2 People

Take a look at Group Save train tickets. These are a great way to get discounted train fares for groups of people traveling together.

Consider an Alternative Route

If you're travelling from London, then your route to Chelmsford may involve using the Elizabeth line's stopping service to Shenfield and changing trains there. Using Trainsplit’s journey planner, you can search for routes to Chelmsford which use trains that can potentially save you money on your train tickets.

Claim Delay Repay

If your journey is delayed, you may be entitled to delay compensation on your train tickets.

By following these tips, along with using Trainsplit’s unique journey planner to find the best train ticket deals, now is the perfect time to explore new destinations.

Avoid Booking Fees

Many ticket retailers impose booking fees for each journey booked, adding unnecessary expenses to your travel costs. With Trainsplit, we don't charge a booking fee. Instead, we only charge a Share of Savings, which is a small percentage of the savings you made if we found a split for your journey. Rest assured, it will still work out cheaper than purchasing a through fare. If no splits are found, no Share of Savings will be charged.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book Cheap Train Tickets to Chelmsford?

You can find the cheapest train tickets to Chelmsford by booking in advance and considering split ticket options. Websites like Trainsplit offer tools to help you find the best deals.

What's the most cost-effective way to travel to Chelmsford?

The most economical way to travel to Chelmsford is by booking cheap Advance Tickets  and exploring split ticketing options, which can significantly reduce your travel expenses.

When should I book my train tickets to Chelmsford for the best prices?

To secure the cheapest train tickets to Chelmsford, it's advisable to book well in advance, as fares tend to increase closer to the travel date. Additionally, consider exploring split ticketing options for additional savings.

Can I save money by splitting my train tickets when travelling to Chelmsford?

Yes - splitting your train tickets to Chelmsford can often result in significant cost savings compared to purchasing a single through ticket. Services like Trainsplit can help you find the most advantageous split ticket combinations.

Are there any discounts available for frequent train travellers to Chelmsford?

Consider purchasing a digital railcard that offers discounts for frequent train travellers to Chelmsford and other destinations. A railcard can provide significant savings on train tickets, especially when combined with strategies such as split ticketing, to ensure you get the cheapest possible fares for your journeys. Whether you're commuting regularly or planning occasional trips, a railcard is a valuable investment that can help you maximise your savings on train travel to Chelmsford and beyond.

Is it cheaper to book train tickets to Chelmsford online or at the station?

When looking to secure cheap train tickets to Chelmsford, booking online in advance typically provides the most cost-effective fares. Using train ticket booking platforms like Trainsplit can also help in finding split ticket options, further reducing your travel expenses. 

Remember, if you have any questions about train travel or need assistance, feel free to reach out to our team. We're here to help you plan a memorable journey.

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