Welcome to Chelmsford, the county town of Essex and the birthplace of broadcasting and not to mention home to one of the V Festivals, which sees around 160,000 music fans flock to the town in late August each year.  Chelmsford is not just a great place to shop it also has a fantastic array of sporting and leisure activities, cultural and educational attractions and plenty of bars, restaurants and street cafes to sit back, relax and watch the world go by. 

• Chelmsford is the birthplace of broadcasting!  Guglielmo Marcoin, who was the pioneer of radio, built the world’s first radio factory in Chelmsford in 1899 a new factory followed in 1912.
• 15th June 1920 the first entertainment broadcast was made from Chelmsford; it featured Dame Nellie Melba, who was a famous opera soprano of the time.

Here is a selection of what Chelmsford has to offer, and most are within walking distance of the town centre!

Chelmsford Cathedral
The Cathedral is the second smallest in England and dates back to the 15th century, although it was just a church back then as it didn’t become a Cathedral until 1914 when the Dioceses of Chelmsford was created to meet the needs of the growing population of east London. Admission to the Cathedral is free with educational visits and guided tours welcome by appointment.

For further information please visit: www.chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk
New Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1TY
01245 294489

Chelmsford Museum & Essex Regiment Museum
Situated in the beautiful surroundings of Oaklands Park, just a short walk from the town centre, you will find both the Chelmsford and Essex Regiment Museums. The Chelmsford Museum houses displays of local and social history, archaeology and costume along with exhibits from the natural sciences and collections of glass and coins. The “Story of Chelmsford” exhibit shows the history of the area from the Ice Age up to the present day.

The Essex Regiment Museum has a number of wonderful exhibits showing the history of the regiment and its soldiers since its formation 1741. Admission to both museums is free.

For further information please visit: www.chelmsford.gov/museums
Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 9AQ
01245 605700

Essex Record Office
Collected and preserved at the Essex Records Office is the written, oral and visual history of the county of Essex.   Visitors are able to use the collections to explore their family history, the history of the community in which they live and the history of the county as a whole.  The office is open to the public Monday – Saturday. Prior appointments don’t need to be made, although it’s recommended that you contact them ahead of a visit if you are looking for specific documents. 

For further information please visit: www.essexcc.gov.uk/ero
Wharf Road, Chelmsford, CM2 6YT
01245 244644

Essex Police Museum
Essex Police Museum is located at Essex Police Headquarters in Springfield.  It’s a great place to learn about the history of the force from 1840 through to the present day.  The museum if free to visit and open every Wednesday from 1:00pm – 4:30pm and the first Saturday of the month from 10:30am – 4:30pm.

For further information please visit: www.essex.police.uk/museum
Sandford Road, Springfield, Chelmsford, CM2 6DN
01245 457150

Hylands House & Hylands Estate
Hylands House is a stunning Grade II listed villa situated in 574 acres of parkland. The house and park were purchased and restored by Chelmsford Borough Council for the people of Chelmsford to enjoy in 1966 after the house fell into a desperate state of repair following the death of its owner in 1962. There is plenty to see and do at Hylands House, with a program of events, workshops and exhibitions throughout the year plus a new visitor’s centre, café and gift shop, artists’ studios and stabling block for the Hawthorn heavy working horses which were introduced back to the estate in 2008. Visitors are free to roam the 574 acres of parkland and gardens of the estate.

For further information please visit: www.chelmsford.gov.uk/hylands
Hylands Park, Old London Road, Chelmsford, CM2 8WQ

01245 605500

Chelmsford Miniature Railway
The miniature railway is operated by The Chelmsford Society of Model Engineers and located approx 20 minute walk from the town centre, opposite the West Park Pitch & Putt. The two tracks offer rides to the public, for a small fee, every Sunday from the end of April to the end of September from 2pm - 5pm.  Free parking facilities and light refreshments are available.

For further information please visit: www.chelmsford-miniature-railway.org.uk
Meteor Way, Chelmsford, CM1 2RL