Chelmsford first became a town in 1199 when a bridge was built across the River Can and Chelmsford was then granted a Royal Charter to hold a market. The name Chelmsford is derived from its former name, Ceolmaer’s Ford, simply meaning the ford over the river Ceolmaer (now known as Chelmer).

Chelmsford town actually developed as two separate areas in two different times. The oldest part is what is now known as Old Moulsham (which is the area either side of Moulsham Street). This was a small Roman settlement on the south side of the River Can. After the 1199 charter the new town developed to the north of the Can and then expanded south, taking over the old Roman area, which had been mostly abandoned. This area was called Moulsham.

In 1372 a new stone bridge was built over the River Can (at the junction of the High Street and Moulsham Street today) and this provided an important route between London and Colchester.

Several influential families were from the Chelmsford area. The Mildmay family, whose head was Thomas Mildmay, became wealthy landowners who built Moulsham Hall in 1728-43. However, it was demolished in 1809 after being abandoned by the family after the Napoleonic wars. The Montchesney family were important landowners in the 16th century, descending from the Bishop of Bayeaux who was given the Manor of Hanningfield after the Norman conquest.

Henry VIII had some ties with Chelmsford. He built the new Beaulieu Palace in 1516, which was used by many royals of the time, such as Anne Boleyn’s father and the Earl of Essex. New Hall school was later built on the site, and the prestigious Beaulieu Park housing development was named after the palace.

Chelmsford Today

In 2012 Chelmsford became England’s newest city. It is one of the most popular towns in Essex with good employment opportunities, some excellent schools (both state and independent), a university, various sports teams, regular events and a good social scene.

Around 100,000 people live within Chelmsford itself  and a further 68,000 live within the surrounding districts, which include Broomfield, Great Baddow, Galleywood, Writtle, Moulsham, Widford, Springfield and Chelmer Village. Chelmer Village is the newest area which was previously farmland before the new Chelmer Village housing development was constructed.

Chelmsford railway station is only 30-40 minutes from London Liverpool Street, and this has made Chelmsford one of the most popular commuter towns in Essex.

Chelmsford has ample car parking facilities that can broadly be divided into short stay car parking for shoppers and long stay for commuters. All residential areas around Chelmsford have permit parking for residents and wardens do patrol all the time.

Council car parks are Pay & Display and 15 of them operated 24 hours a day. Most now accept credit card payment for stays of over 4 hours. Four car parks are pay on exit, great if you are not sure how long you will be in town.

There are also two Park and Ride sites, one on each side of the city. These provide fast routes into Chelmsford along bus priority routes. There are a few places that offer free parking too, see the bottom of the page.

High Chelmer Short Stay Multi Storey Car Park – Sat Nav: CM1 1LU

Known more commonly as “the multi-story” it is above Chelmsford Market and perfect for shopping trips to town.

• Opening times: 7am to 9pm (Monday to Saturday); 10am to 5pm (Sunday)
• Charging period: All hours (including Bank Holidays)
• Pay On Foot: Please pay before returning to your vehicle and exiting the car park.
• Credit/Debit card
• Number of spaces: 828 (Monday to Friday); 1,012 (Saturday and Sunday)
• Number of blue badge spaces: 26
• Height restriction: 2 metres

Moulsham Street Mixed Stay Surface Car Park – Sat Nav: CM2 0LG

• Opening times: All hours
• Charging period: 8am to 11.59pm (Monday to Sunday)
• Pay & Display: Please pay when you park and display your ticket in your vehicle.
• PayByPhone / Credit/Debit card
• Number of spaces: 174 (Monday to Sunday)
• Number of blue badge spaces: Two
• Height restriction: None

Parkway Short Stay Surface Car Park – Sat Nav: CM2 7PN

• Opening times: All hours
• Charging period: All hours (including Bank Holidays)
• Pay & Display: Please pay when you park and display your ticket in your vehicle.
• PayByPhone / Credit/Debit card
• Number of spaces: 142 short stay (Monday to Sunday)
• Number of blue badge spaces: Five
• Height restriction: 2.1 metres

Meadows Surface Short Stay Car Park – Sat Nav:  CM2 6FD

• Opening times: All hours
• Charging period: All hours (including Bank Holidays)
• Pay On Foot: Please pay before returning to your vehicle and exiting the car park.
• Number of spaces: 250 (Monday to Sunday)
• Number of blue badge spaces: 19
• Height restriction: 2.1 metres

Meadows Retail Short Stay Multi Storey Car Park – Sat Nav:  CM2 6LU

• Opening times: 7.30am to 8pm (Monday to Saturday); 10am to 5pm (Sunday)
• Charging period: All hours (including Bank Holidays)
• Pay On Foot: Please pay before returning to your vehicle and exiting the car park.
• Number of spaces: 400 short stay (Monday to Sunday)
• Number of blue badge spaces: 21
• Height restriction: 2.21 metres

Wharf Road Long Stay Surface Car Park – Sat Nav: CM2 6LU

• Opening times: Monday to Saturday
• Charging period: Monday to Saturday (including Bank Holidays)
• Pay & Display: Please pay when you park and display your ticket in your vehicle.
• PayByPhone
• Number of spaces: 234 mixed stay (Monday to Saturday)
• Number of blue badge spaces: Seven
• Height restriction: 2.2 metres

Baddow Road Mixed Long/Short Stay Surface Car Park – Sat Nav: CM2 0DD

• Opening times: All hours
• Charging period: All hours (including Bank Holidays)
• Pay & Display: Please pay when you park and display your ticket in your vehicle.
• PayByPhone / Credit/Debit card
• Number of spaces: 334 short stay/long stay (Monday to Sunday)
• Number of blue badge spaces: Six
• Height restriction: 2.2 metres

Waterloo Lane Surface Short Stay Car Parks – Sat Nav: CM1 1BD

There are two car parks close to each other:

• Opening times: All hours
• Charging period: All hours (including Bank Holidays)
• Pay & Display: Please pay when you park and display your ticket in your vehicle.
• PayByPhone / Credit/Debit card
• Number of spaces: 117 short stay (Monday to Sunday)
• Number of blue badge spaces: One in each
• Height restriction: 2.2 metres

Riverside – Victoria Road Mixed Stay Surface Car Park – Sat Nav: CM1 1PA

• Opening times: All hours
• Charging period: 8am to 11.59pm (Monday to Sunday)
• Pay & Display: Please pay when you park and display your ticket in your vehicle.
• PayByPhone / Credit/Debit card / Cash
• Number of spaces: 392 (Monday to Sunday)
• Number of blue badge spaces: 15
• Height restriction: None

Regina Road Long Stay Surface Car Park – Sat Nav: CM1 1PE

• Opening times: All hours
• Charging period: All hours (including Bank Holidays)
• Pay & Display: Please pay when you park and display your ticket in your vehicle.
• PayByPhone / Credit/Debit card
• Number of spaces: 46 short stay (Monday to Sunday)
• Height restriction: None

Townfield Street Multi Storey Car Park – Sat Nav: CM1 1QJ

This is the closest car park to the railway station and very popular with commuters.

• Opening times: 5.30am to 11pm (Monday to Friday); 7am to 11pm (Saturday); 10am to 5pm (Sunday)
• Charging period: All hours (including Bank Holidays)
• Pay On Foot: Please pay before returning to your vehicle and exiting the car park.
• Credit/Debit card / Cash
• Number of spaces: 542 long stay (Monday to Sunday)
• Number of blue badge spaces: Six
• Height restriction: 1.9 metres

West End Limited Waiting Short Stay Surface Car Park – Sat Nav: CM1 1QS

• Opening times: All hours
• Charging period: All hours (including Bank Holidays)
• Pay & Display: Please pay when you park and display your ticket in your vehicle.
• PayByPhone / Cash
• Number of spaces: 70 short stay (Monday to Sunday)
• Number of blue badge spaces: Four
• Height restriction: 2.2 metres

Glebe Road Mixed Long/Short Stay Surface Car Park – Sat Nav: CM1 1QQ

• Opening times: All hours
• Charging period: All hours (including Bank Holidays)
• Pay & Display: Please pay when you park and display your ticket in your vehicle.
• PayByPhone / Credit/Debit card
• Number of spaces: 60 short stay/long stay (Monday to Sunday)
• Height restriction: 2.2 metres

Fairfield Road Mixed Long/Short Stay Surface Car Park – Sat Nav: CM1 1JG

• Opening times: All hours
• Charging period: All hours (including Bank Holidays)
• Pay & Display: Please pay when you park and display your ticket in your vehicle.
• PayByPhone / Credit/Debit card
• Number of spaces: 53 short stay/long stay (Monday to Friday); 301 short stay/long stay (Saturday and Sunday)
• Number of blue badge spaces: Three
• Height restriction: None

Coval Lane Long Stay Surface Car Park – Sat Nav: CM1 1TG

• Opening times: All hours
• Charging period: All hours (including Bank Holidays)
• Pay & Display: Please pay when you park and display your ticket in your vehicle.
• PayByPhone / Credit/Debit card
• Number of spaces: 187 (Monday to Sunday)
• Number of blue badge spaces: Eight
• Height restriction: 2.2 metres

Waterhouse Lane Long Stay Surface Car Park – Sat Nav: CM1 2RY

• Opening times: All hours
• Charging period: Monday to Friday
• Pay & Display: Please pay when you park and display your ticket in your vehicle.
• PayByPhone / Credit/Debit card
• Number of spaces: 81 long stay (Monday to Sunday)
• Number of blue badge spaces: One
• Height restriction: None

Rectory Lane West Long Stay Surface Car Park – Sat Nav: CM1 1RE

• Opening times: All hours
• Charging period: All hours (including Bank Holidays)
• Pay & Display: Please pay when you park and display your ticket in your vehicle.
• PayByPhone / Credit/Debit card
• Number of spaces: 310 long stay (Monday to Sunday)
• Number of blue badge spaces: Nine
• Height restriction: 2.1 metres

Rectory Lane East Long Stay Surface Car Park – Sat Nav: CM1 1RH

• Opening times: All hours
• Charging period: All hours (including Bank Holidays)
• Pay & Display: Please pay when you park and display your ticket in your vehicle.
• PayByPhone / Credit/Debit card
• Number of spaces: 75 short stay (Monday to Sunday)
• Number of blue badge spaces: Four
• Height restriction: 2.1 metres

Sandon Park and Ride – Sat Nav: Sat Nav CM2 7RU

• On the junction of the A12 and Maldon Road / A414.
• Operated Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 21:00. Parking is free, bus fare is currently £3.

Chelmer Valley Park and Ride: Sat Nav CM3 3PR

• Chelmer Valley Park and Ride is located on the A130 east of Essex Regiment Way, accessed from the Pratts Farm Roundabout.
• Operated Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 21:00. Parking is free, bus fare is currently £3.

Free Parking in Chelmsford

• Free parking can be found on residential roads that are sufficiently far from the town centre.
• Tesco on Springfield Road and Tesco Home on Parkway both provide free parking for up to two hours – note, you need to make a purchase in the Tesco supermarket.
• Warning: at busy times, i.e. Christmas, the supermarket car parks get very busy and people have been known to get stuck for hours in the car park due to grid lock. Sometimes it pays to pay!

 

This page aims to list all important telephone numbers for Chelmsford residents. If there is anything you would like added please leave details below.

• Police non-emergency: 101
• Chelmsford City Council: 01245 606606 / 01245 606299 (24 hours)
• Health and Social Care: 0845 603 7630 (adults), 0845 603 7627 (children)
• Three Valleys Water: 0845 782 3333
• Essex and Suffolk Water: 0845 782 0999
• Thames Water: 0800 714 614
• Anglian Water: 0845 714 5145
• Essex County Council Highways: 0845 603 7631 (emergency only)
• National Grid Gas: 0800 111 999 (to report gas leaks etc.)
• National Grid Electricity: 0800 40 40 90 (to report damaged power lines etc)
• Environment Agency – Floods:  0345 988 1188

Emergency Help

• Locks & Leaks Emergency Locksmiths: 07932 798331
• Car breakdown:
  • RAC: If you are not a member call 0800 197 7815 quoting WJ0003 to join and get immediate cover.
  • Chelmsford Autos: 01245 475050
• Emergency Plumber: Chelmsford Plumbing & Heating: 07887 653 032

Taxi Companies

There are many in Chelmsford, here a few of the larger companies:

• Ali’s Taxis: 01245 464646
• Fareway Taxis: 01245 35 55 55
• Happicabs: 01245 443 443
• Chelmsford Taxibus Ltd: 01245 350 350
• Chelmer Valley Cars: 01245 465465
• Station Cars: 01245 616161

Chelmsford is blessed with a near semi-arid climate, with very little rainfall during the summer and moderate rainfall in the autumn and winter. It is one of the sunniest cities in the UK; no wonder everybody looks so happy all the time!

Here is the latest weather news, courtesy of the Met Office.

This Chelmsford weather forecast is generated by the Met Office Weather Widget