Looking for the most fascinating things to do in Chelmsford? Chelmsford is a city found in the county of Essex, in the east of England. Located just 32 miles northeast of London, making it a popular commuter town.
Chelmsford has a long history that dates back to the Roman era. The town was an important center for agriculture and trade during the medieval period and later became a center for manufacturing.
Chelmsford offers a bustling foodie scene, a shopping hub, and varied nightlife of sleek bars, live music, and jam-packed theatre programs.
The music festival scene brings the city alive every summer, welcoming superstars to the likes of Beyoncé at the local Hylands Park. There’s something for you, your family, and your friends to enjoy at all times of the year within this historic city.
For your best travel experience, here is the list of the best fascinating things to do in Chelmsford.
Things to do in Chelmsford
1 Chelmsford Museum
The Chelmsford Museum is based in Oaklands House, a historic property off Moulsham Street in Chelmsford, Essex. It is a Grade II Listed building.
The Chelmsford Museum reopened in 2019 following a thorough renovation, allowing visitors to see Chelmsford’s history from the Ice Age to the present. The museum offers something for everyone, including the chance to visit a mammoth, see a regal Anglo-Saxon burial, or learn about what once stood on your street.
Check out the Natural World, Bright Sparks, and the Story of Chelmsford from Prehistory to the Present, as well as local potters like Grayson Perry.
Additionally, you can walk one of the pathways in the magnificent Oaklands Park, which houses the museum.
The museum offers a fantastic free day out in addition to sporadic events, presentations, and workshops.
2 Essex Police Museum
Visit the Essex Police Museum for the best collection of objects, photographs, and objects that tell the history of the force from 1840 until the present day.
You and the kids can learn about the methods used to identify crimes as well as tales of some of the offenders.
The museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the Essex Police Force and its role in the community. The museum displays a wide range of police equipment, uniforms, vehicles, and documents from the 19th century to the present day.
Some of the exhibits at the museum include a collection of truncheons, handcuffs, and other police equipment from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as a display of police uniforms from different eras. The museum also has a collection of police vehicles, including a 1967 Ford Zephyr and a 1980s Range Rover that was used by the Essex Police Force.
Make sure to add the Essex police museum to your initial of things to do in Chelmsford.
3 Brook End Gardens
Brook End Gardens is a relatively new park. With its wonderfully planted surroundings, it is a pleasant location to come whether you are with friends, family, or by yourself.
The site boasts a well-equipped play area and plenty of space for informal games, picnics, or just relaxing in the open air.
Another focal point of the gardens is a massive metal sculpture, which can be a good educational stop where you can share with the kids how it was created using replicas of historic treasure from the time of Celtic King Cunobelin.
4 Admirals Park
Admirals are one of Chelmsford’s most popular parks where visitors can experience many different features, from landscaped garden areas to more natural spaces that encourage wildlife.
There are many opportunities for the active family to have fun at this location, including football and cricket fields, a fun pitch and putt golf course, a conventional bowling green, tennis courts, fishing and canoeing at the lake, as well as many well-equipped play spaces for children ranging in age from toddler to adolescent.
There is a network of pathways and cycleways connecting the parkland with other regions, and you may go for a stroll along the River Can, which flows through the park.
Families wishing to spend the perfect outdoor time together should visit Admirals Park.
5 Chelmsford Cathedral
Chelmsford Cathedral is one of the youngest cathedrals in England and stands at the heart of the newest city. Dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin, St. Peter, and St. Cedd, Chelmsford Cathedral is located in the city of Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom.
It was converted into a cathedral in 1914 with the establishment of the Anglican Diocese of Chelmsford, which serves as the residence of the Chelmsford Bishop.
The earliest stonework found here was from the Norman era, and the building was originally a parish church. The first recorded service took place at the cathedral in 1223. The tower, parapets, and splendid South porch were added to the church during its reconstruction in the fifteenth century.
It is also unexpectedly light and bright. Set among beautiful grounds which are enjoyed by many during their lunchbreaks, the Cathedral is open every day and is free to visit.
6 Baddow Hall Park
Baddow Hall Park is a public park located in the Great Baddow area of Chelmsford, Essex. The park is situated on the site of the former Baddow Hall, which was a mansion built in the early 19th century.
The park, which is around 34 acres in size, offers a variety of visitor amenities, such as a kids’ play area, tennis courts, a football field, and a cricket field. The park also has a large pond that is home to a variety of wildlife, including ducks, swans, and geese.
In addition to its recreational amenities, Baddow Hall Park is home to several significant historical landmarks, including the ruins of a 12th-century moat, a listed bridge, and an obelisk that is listed in Grade II. The obelisk was built in 1828 by John Round, who was the owner of Baddow Hall at the time, to mark the passage of the Catholic Relief Act, which gave Catholics in the UK civil rights.
Overall, Baddow Hall Park is a well-liked hangout for both locals and tourists, providing a tranquil and picturesque setting for outdoor activities and relaxation.
7 Chelmer Park
Chelmer Park is a public park located in Chelmsford, Essex, in the United Kingdom. The park covers an area of approximately 33 acres and offers a range of facilities for visitors, including a children’s play area, a basketball court, a skate park, and a fitness trail.
There are also large open spaces for picnics and sports, as well as a cafe and toilets.
The park is located close to Chelmsford city center and is easily accessible by car, bicycle, or on foot. It is a popular destination for local residents and visitors alike and is often used for events and activities such as sports tournaments, charity fundraisers, and music festivals.
Chelmer Park is managed by Chelmsford City Council and is open to the public year-round.
8 Chelmer Cruises
Chelmer Cruises is a charming place that is also known as Paper Mill Lock Cruises and Victoria Cruises. Whatever you call it, it’s got all the potential for a great day out on the water.
They operate a range of vessels, including narrow boats and electric boats, that can accommodate groups of various sizes.
Chelmer Cruises offers a range of cruises, including sightseeing tours of Chelmsford, afternoon tea cruises, and evening dinner cruises. The company also offers private hire for special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, and corporate events.
The River Chelmer is a beautiful waterway that flows through the heart of Chelmsford, offering stunning views of the city’s architecture and natural surroundings.
Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor to Chelmsford, Chelmer Cruises offers a relaxing and enjoyable way to see the city from a different perspective.
9 Hylands House and Park
If you’re looking for a serene place to take your families to in Chelmsford, head over to the Hylands House and Park.
With 574 acres of parkland, including old recreational woods, grassland, lakes, ponds, and gardens, Hylands House and Park has a lot to offer the whole family. Additionally, there is a fairly great playground and a nicely renovated country house to explore.
The mansion, which was built in 1730, contains some amazing rooms to take a peek at, from the luxuriously elaborate Banqueting Room to the gorgeously gilded Drawing Room.
It also has a fantastic climbing adventure castle play area with four-meter-high castle battlements with portcullis and a cool drawbridge entry that gives kids a regal setting for pretend play and a chance to run themselves to exhaustion.
The park offers a ton of entertainment, so make sure to enjoy yourself immensely with your family.
10 RHS Hyde Hall
One of the best things to do in Chelmsford is to visit the RHS Hyde Hall.
The RHS Hyde Hall is a public garden and estate located in the village of Rettendon, near Chelmsford, in Essex, United Kingdom. It is owned and operated by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), which is a British charity dedicated to promoting horticulture and gardening.
The garden covers an area of about 360 acres and includes a range of features such as themed gardens, woodland trails, ponds, a walled garden, and a large plant nursery. The garden is known for its extensive collection of plants, including many rare and exotic species, and is a popular destination for garden enthusiasts and visitors alike.
RHS Hyde Hall also offers a range of events and activities throughout the year, including garden tours, workshops, and talks by gardening experts. There is also a cafe and gift shop on site.
The garden is open to the public year-round, although opening times vary depending on the season. Admission charges apply, although RHS members can enter for free.
11 Ceramics on the Hop
Looking for a memorable excursion with a little bit of creativity? Visit Ceramics on the Hop with the entire family and create something wonderful you can treasure forever!
Bring the whole family, young and old, to the store to browse the enormous selection of ceramics, which includes items with seasonal and unique themes.
Ceramics on the Hop began as a traveling ceramic painting business, but they now have a charming studio in the picturesque village of Writtle, just outside of Chelmsford.
There is a wide selection of ceramic blanks to match all tastes and price ranges. In general, you’ll work with underglazes, though we have a variety of specialty glazes if you want to add something additional. Your pottery will be fired and ready to collect approximately one week later.
Whether you visit as an individual or as a group the aim is always to offer a relaxing and unique experience that has the flexibility to suit your requirements.
12 Tropical Wings Zoo
Tropical Wings Zoo is a popular zoo located in South Woodham Ferrers near Chelmsford, Essex, England. The zoo is home to a variety of animals, including meerkats, lemurs, wallabies, macaws, parrots, reptiles, and insects.
Tropical Wings Zoo provides a variety of events in addition to animal exhibits, including animal encounters, feeding times, and a butterfly house. The zoo also features a café and gift shop where guests can get beverages and souvenirs.
In general, Tropical Wings Zoo is a family-friendly and educational attraction for anyone who loves animals in the Chelmsford region.
13 ODEON Chelmsford
Founded in 1930, ODEON is the largest and best-known cinema chain in the UK and Ireland. With state-of-the-art amenities and cutting-edge technology, ODEON takes pride in being the preferred location for movie buffs.
You can’t go wrong when deciding to visit ODEON because almost everyone enjoys watching movies on a big screen.
Spend less time queueing and more time picking snacks by taking advantage of the 3 fast ticket machines available for online bookers.
Bring the whole crew to an Odeon Kids screening because it’s fantastic to watch your favorite movies with your family. Visitors have the option to select family favorites shown every Saturday and Sunday during the summer, making it a convenient afternoon activity.
14 Riverside Leisure Centre
The Riverside Leisure Center, which offers a variety of amenities to accommodate everyone, should be included in your initial list of things to do in Chelmsford.
The facility has a 25-meter swimming pool that can be used for swimming sessions open to the public, swimming instruction, and other aquatic activities.
The facility has a number of sports halls that may be utilized for a variety of events, such as badminton, basketball, and football.
Additionally, a climbing wall, ice hockey, and a fitness center are available.
The Riverside Leisure Centre also provides a variety of pay-as-you-go and membership alternatives to meet various requirements and budgets.
15 Visit Radical Bikes Chelmsford
Lastly on our list of top things to do in Chelmsford is to visit Radical Bikes which is a unique Cycling Venue for BMX, Jump Bikes, and Trials, with Dirt Jumps, Ramps, Foam Pit, Resi ramp, and Trials Obstacles.
Bring your own bicycle or rent one from them. All skill levels are catered for. They also offer guided rides into the nearby bridle paths and woods. No need to reserve. From April through October, it is open on weekends.
The venue is available for private hire by negotiation. The venue will surely spice up your trip to Chelmsford.
Best time to visit Chelmsford
The best and busiest month for tourism in Chelmsford, the United Kingdom is February, followed by March August, and August. These are the ideal period to have a wonderful trip to this fascinating city.
