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City guide

Chelmsford, UK

Chelmsford is a city in Essex, England. It is the county town of Essex and one of three cities in the county, along with Colchester and Southend-on-Sea.

Type CityPopulation 110,625

Why go

  • City in Essex, England.
  • Served by Andrewsfield Aerodrome.

History

Chelmsford is a city in Essex, England. It is the county town of Essex and one of three cities in the county, along with Colchester and Southend-on-Sea. It is located 31 miles (50 km) north-east of Charing Cross in London, and 22 miles (35 km) south-west of Colchester. At the 2021 census the built up area had a population of 110,625. It gives its name to the wider Chelmsford local government district which also covers an extensive surrounding area.

Where to stay

Essex Stays at The Kings Head, 49 Maldon Rd, Great Baddow, Chelmsford CM2 7DN, United Kingdom · essexstays.com
Indoor
Pratt's Farm Ln, Little Waltham, Chelmsford CM3 3PT, United Kingdom · channelshotel.co.uk
Indoor
Main Rd, Boreham, Chelmsford CM3 3JA, United Kingdom · lioninnhotel.co.uk
Indoor
W Hanningfield Rd, Great Baddow, Chelmsford CM2 8HR, United Kingdom · pontlandspark.co.uk
Indoor
18 Broomfield Rd, Chelmsford CM1 1SW, United Kingdom · theshipchelmsford.co.uk
Indoor
118-120 Springfield Rd, Chelmsford CM2 6LF, United Kingdom · boswellhousehotel.co.uk
Indoor
Writtle Rd, Margaretting, Ingatestone CM4 0EH, United Kingdom · ivyhillhotel.co.uk
Indoor
Victoria Rd, Chelmsford CM2 6LJ, United Kingdom · riversideinnchelmsford.co.uk
Indoor
Main Rd, Boreham, Chelmsford CM3 3HJ, United Kingdom · premierinn.com
Indoor
Victoria Rd, Chelmsford CM1 1NY, United Kingdom · premierinn.com
Indoor
22 High St, Great Baddow, Chelmsford CM2 7HQ, United Kingdom · rothmansbedandbreakfast.co.uk
Indoor
The County Hotel, 29 Rainsford Rd, Chelmsford CM1 2PZ, United Kingdom · countyhotelchelmsford.co.uk
Indoor
Chelmsford Service Area, Colchester Rd, Springfield, Chelmsford CM2 5PY, United Kingdom · premierinn.com
Indoor
New St, Chelmsford CM1 1PP, United Kingdom · atlantichotelchelmsford.co.uk
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Chelmsford CM2 0NF, United Kingdom · decolar.com
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128-136 Parkway, Chelmsford CM2 7GY, United Kingdom · travelodge.co.uk
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2-4 Hamlet Rd, Chelmsford CM2 0EU, United Kingdom
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126 Sunrise Ave, Chelmsford CM1 4RJ, United Kingdom · nicheservicedapartments.co.uk
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8 Tudor Ave, Chelmsford CM1 1TE, United Kingdom
Indoor

Restaurants & places to go

Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 07:00-18:00; Su 08:00-17:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 96 High Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1DX · caffenero.com
Indoor
Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo off; Tu-Fr 12:00-15:00, 17:30-22:30; Sa 12:00-22:30; Su 12:00-21:30 Features: step-free access · 44 Moulsham Street,… · siambrasserie.co.uk
Indoor
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant · 18 Baddow Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0DG · authenticochelmsford.co.uk
Indoor
Chicken, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:30-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 51-52 High Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1DH · popeyesuk.com
Indoor
Kebab, Fast Food · Opening hours: Th,Su-Tu 11:00-23:00, We 11:00-01:00, Fr,Sa 11:00-03:00 Features: takeaway · 5 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 0HR · germandonerkebab.com
Indoor
Indonesian, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Tu 12:00-21:30; We-Th 12:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-21:30 Features: outdoor… · bananatree.co.uk
Indoor
British, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-We 08:00-22:00; Th-Sa 08:00-23:00; Su,PH 09:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, step-free access · 119 Bond Street,… · bills-website.co.uk
Indoor
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-22:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · The Meadows, Chelmsford, CM2 6FD · locations.burgerking.co.uk
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French, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, vegan options, step-free access · 1 Exchange Way, Chelmsford, CM1 1XB · cote.co.uk
Indoor
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-23:00 Features: delivery · 9 Centenary Way, Chelmsford, CM1 6AU · dominos.co.uk
Indoor
Mediterranean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-23:00 · Running Mare Lane, Chelmsford, CM2 8PN · egorestaurants.co.uk
Indoor
Sandwich, Bakery, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-17:30; Sa 07:00-17:00; Su 08:00-15:30 Features: takeaway, vegan options, step-free access · Duke… · greggs.co.uk
Indoor
American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th, Su 09:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, step-free access · 306 Springfield Road,… · harvester.co.uk
Indoor
Latin American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:00-22:30; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 11:00-22:00 Features: step-free access · 123-125 Bond Street, Chelmsford,… · iguanas.co.uk
Indoor
Steak, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-23:00 · Chelmsford, CM2 6NL · millerandcarter.co.uk
Indoor
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 11:30-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:30-22:30; Mo off Features: outdoor seating, vegan options · Bond Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1GD · mowglistreetfood.com
Indoor
Tex-Mex, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th,Su 11:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00 Features: takeaway, delivery, step-free access · 218 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford,… · locations.tacobell.co.uk
Indoor
Caribbean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-We,Su 10:00-23:00; Th 10:00-24:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-01:00 Features: outdoor seating, delivery · 22-24 Exchange Way,… · turtlebay.co.uk
Indoor
Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th,Su 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00 · 127-129 Bond Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1GD · wagamama.com
Indoor
Ice Cream, Ice Cream · Opening hours: Mo-Th 10:00-17:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 10:30-16:30 · The Meadows, Chelmsford, CM2 6FD · baskinrobbins.co.uk
Indoor
Mexican, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Tu 11:00-21:00; We-Th 11:00-21:30; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 11:00-21:00 · 60 High Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1DH · zambrero.co.uk
Indoor
Wings, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th,Su 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00 Features: takeaway · Springfield Road, Chelmsford, CM2 6QR
Indoor
International, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 16:00-23:00; Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00 · 16 Victoria Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1NZ · amavi.co.uk
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Steak House, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-00:30; Sa-Su 09:00-00:30 Features: outdoor seating · 4-5 Exchange Way, Chelmsford, CM1 1XB · bourgee.co.uk
Indoor
Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00 Features: delivery · 102 Kings Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2BB · chengsbrother.co.uk
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Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-21:00; Su 12:00-22:00 · 9 Melbourne Parade, Chelmsford, CM1 2DW · churchillsfishandchips.co.uk
Indoor
Spanish, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo,Su off; Tu-Fr 18:00-22:00; Sa 18:00-24:00 · 34A Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 0HX · tapasbarelchigre.co.uk
Indoor
Pie And Mash, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 10:00-18:00; Fr,Sa 10:00-19:00; Su off · 35-37 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 0HY · fcookepieandmash.co.uk
Indoor
African, Caribbean, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su off; Tu-Sa 16:00-22:00 Features: delivery · 51 Duke Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1JA · jerk-station.co.uk
Indoor
Sushi, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo off; Tu-Th,Su 11:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00 · 2-3 French's Walk, Chelmsford, CM2 6FD · jetsushi.co.uk
Indoor
Brazilian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th,Su 12:00-22:30; Fr-Sa 12:00-23:00 Features: step-free access · 1-3 The Meadows, Chelmsford, CM2 6FD · preto.co.uk
Indoor
Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-15:00, 18:00-22:00; Sa-Su 12:00-22:00 · 11-15 Baddow Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0BX · sushionerestaurant.co.uk
Indoor
Turkish, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-23:30 · 45-46 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 0HY · theblazerestaurant.com
Indoor
Nepalese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo off; Tu-Su 17:00-22:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 8-10 Broomfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1SN · gurkharestaurants.co.uk
Indoor
European, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo,Tu,PH off; We-Sa 12:00+; Su 12:00-19:00 · 147 New London Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0AA · thenewlondon.co.uk
Indoor
Breakfast, Cake, Coffee Shop, Diner, Sandwich, Sausage, Tea, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-16:00 · 7 Writtle Road, Chelmsford, CM1 3BL · secretgardentearooms.co.uk
Indoor
Pan-Asian, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 16:00-22:30; Su 14:00-22:00 · 55a Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 0JA · tuktukchelmsford.co.uk
Indoor
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-We 09:00-16:00; Th 09:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-00:00; Su 10:00-17:30 Features: outdoor seating, step-free access · 35 New London Road,… · acanteen.co.uk
Indoor
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 17:30+; Su 12:30-21:30 · 13 Cottage Place, Chelmsford, CM1 1NL · backinntime.co.uk
Indoor
Other, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · Victoria Road, Chelmsford, CM2 6LJ · riversideinnchelmsford.co.uk
Indoor
Bubble Tea, Cafe · Bubble Tea cafe · 166 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 0LD · teacultureuk.co.uk
Indoor
Tea, Afternoon Tea, Cafe · Tea/Afternoon Tea cafe · 3 Eves Corner, Chelmsford, CM3 4QF
Indoor
Vietnamese, Restaurant · Vietnamese restaurant
Indoor
Fast Food · fast food · Main Road, Chelmsford, CM3 3HJ · bosshoggs.co.uk
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-17:30; Su 09:00-16:30 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · Meadow Walk, Chelmsford, CM2 6FD · bakersbaristas.com
Indoor

172 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

London Stansted Airport (STN) 14 mi to the centre
London, Essex, ENG, GB — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 10 airlines (Ryanair, easyJet, Transavia France, Germanwings…) · direct flights to 153 destinations incl. Palma de Mallorca, Arrecife, Ibiza, Tenerife, Dalaman… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Serves London (31 mi) — the low-cost way in
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 10 airlines, 153 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
London City Airport (LCY) 24 mi to the centre
London, ENG, GB — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 12 airlines (British Airways, Air France, CityJet, Iberia Airlines…) · direct flights to 35 destinations incl. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Florence, Frankfurt, Zurich… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 12 airlines, 35 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
London Southend Airport (SEN) 15 mi to the centre
Essex, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6YF, UK — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 2 airlines (easyJet, Aer Lingus) · direct flights to 14 destinations incl. Alicante, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Dublin… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 2 airlines, 14 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Andrewsfield Aerodrome 11 mi to the centre
Braintree, Essex, ENG, GB
Outdoor
Retreat Farm Airstrip 5.4 mi to the centre
Maldon, Essex, ENG, GB
Outdoor
High Easter Airfield 7.4 mi to the centre
Chelmsford, Essex, ENG, GB
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Andrewsfield Aerodrome; 6 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Chelmsford, UK. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
Broker, marketplace · Operator network worldwide · Online charter marketplace, part of Directional Aviation; instant quotes.
Marketplace · Operator network · Transparent on-demand jet charter marketplace showing the operator and tail.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.