Essex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>Nestled in the heart of Essex, the city of Chelmsford offers a bustling high street with big-name shops and indies, excellent transport, hip bars and restaurants and great culture. All that plus a fringe of rolling countryside. Oh, and it&#8217;s the location of a ton of finalists and winners in our <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/winners/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2025 Muddy Awards</a>. In short, it’s a superb all-rounder and one of the best places to live if you want everything on your doorstep.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/1-16.jpg" alt="The Windmill Chatham Green" class="wp-image-17768" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/1-16.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/1-16-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/1-16-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Windmill Chatham Green</figcaption></figure>



<p>Want something fancy? You’re spoilt for choice, with&nbsp;<a href="https://galvinrestaurants.com/pub-restaurant-chelmsford-essex-galvin-green-man/?gad_source=1&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADls9JlSKj6GB58zbZTWvVqI6OdES&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwkdO0BhDxARIsANkNcreQDIqpWHOhpjlEnI8X0KEJMF-FcGkFa5L_oNtbLeQzLVWJ9YcfW30aArK9EALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Galvin Green Man</a> and 2025 Awards finalists <a href="https://www.pigandwhistlechelmsford.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pig &amp; Whistle Restaurant</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://thewindmillchathamgreen.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Windmill Chatham Green</a>&nbsp;all serving exceptional cuisine.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.acanteen.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Acanteen</a>&nbsp;on New London Road is on hand for epic bottomless brunches, dinners and roasts. We also recommend&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fetegraysyard.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fête Grays Yard</a>&nbsp;and its dishes such as monkfish with potato, malabar sauce, saffron butter and coconut. Fancy afternoon tea? Our 2025 Awards finalist <a href="https://www.thehubfarmshop.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hub Farm Shop &amp; Light Bites</a>&nbsp;has a delicious takeaway or eat-in option. And then there are those times when only pizza will do, in which case get yourself down to Dukes Street’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/TasteOfItalyPizzaBar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Taste of Italy Pizza Bar</a>&nbsp;for a slice or two (or five).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.bondstreetchelmsford.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bond Street Chelmsford</a> allows you to hit the likes of John Lewis, Oliver Bonas and White Stuff in quick succession. It also has a cinema and a <a href="https://tiptreetearooms.com/pages/locations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tiptree Tea Room</a>&nbsp;for when the shopping stops. When it comes to #inlovewithlocal there are lots of options. For fashion visit&nbsp;<a href="https://nosix.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Number Six</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oliviaandgray.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Olivia &amp; Gray</a>, and for jewellery,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thelunaedit.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Luna Edit</a>. Want to treat someone you love to gorgeous blooms? <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thisislulalula/?hl=en-gb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lula Lula</a>’s the florist for you. Then there’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fifibellsgifts.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fifibells Gifts</a>, ideal for picking up&nbsp;hand-poured scented gifts. And don&#8217;t forget about our 2025 Award Winner for Best Farm Shop/Deli, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LathcoatsFarm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lathcoats Farm</a> – after you&#8217;ve tasted their fruit you&#8217;ll never shop in a supermarket again. For fruit, we mean.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>There are plenty of GP surgeries and medical centres in the city, including&nbsp;<a href="https://chelmermedpartnership.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chelmer Medical Partnership</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://nchc.gpsurgery.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North Chelmsford NHS Healthcare Centre</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitleyhouse.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Whitley House Surgery</a>. Your fitness options are just as broad, including our 2025 Best Sports/Fitness Instructor Award Winner, Kelly-Anne Chambers from <a href="https://www.mpwrhourdance.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MPWR Hour Dance Fitness</a> (pronounced &#8217;empower&#8217;, we&#8217;ll have you know). <a href="https://www.aru.ac.uk/sport/health-and-fitness/chelmsford" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The OId Factory Gym</a> at&nbsp;Anglia Ruskin University is open to the public, with monthly fees just £26 a month, or check out our 2025 Awards Finalist <a href="https://www.editwellness.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EDIT Wellness</a> and its reformer Pilates sessions. For beauty,&nbsp;<a href="https://mimosabeauty.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mimosa Beauty</a>&nbsp;is 100% eco-friendly;&nbsp;<a href="https://skinrevolution.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Skin Revolution</a>&nbsp;offers facials and peels; while another 2025 Awards Finalist, <a href="https://www.mackhairdressing.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mack Hair</a>, is ideal for keeping those locks in check.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/3-15.jpg" alt="Sausage and cider festival" class="wp-image-17764" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/3-15.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/3-15-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/3-15-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/07/3-15-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sausage &amp; Cider Festival</figcaption></figure>



<p>There’s a lot on in Chelmsford festival-wise, usually at Central Park or Hylands Estate. There’s an annual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sausageandciderfest.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sausage &amp; Cider Festival</a>&nbsp;which is all about, erm, sausages and cider.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.allaboutdogsshow.co.uk/hylands/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">All About Dogs</a>&nbsp;is one for you pooch lovers, and for all things plants head to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationalflowershow.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The National Flower Show</a>. We also love&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ideashubchelmsford.org/the-art-place/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Art Place</a>,&nbsp;a creative community space for visual arts in the city centre.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/Untitled-design-32.png" alt="Hylands Estate Essex autumn" class="wp-image-18972" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/Untitled-design-32.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/Untitled-design-32-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/Untitled-design-32-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/Untitled-design-32-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hylands Estate</figcaption></figure>



<p>For outdoor picnic action head to our 2025 Awards finalist&nbsp;<a href="http://hylandsestate.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hylands Estate</a>&nbsp;– a Grade II public park with 574 acres of park and woodlands. After something less sedate?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/leisure-centres/where/riverside-leisure-centre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Riverside Leisure Centre</a>&nbsp;boasts indoor and outdoor pools (with flume), plus an ice rink. There&#8217;s also a great forest school for kids, courtesy of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greenearthlearning.co.uk/forest-school" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Green Earth Learning</a>. Speaking of entertaining the little ones, our 2025 Winner of Best Family Attraction, <a href="https://www.allthingsalpacauk.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">All Things Alpaca</a>, has alpacas (obvs), plus pygmy goat and miniature pig experiences and plenty more. And for events, courses and workshops – in spectacular surroundings – check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RHS Garden Hyde Hall</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>Chelmsford is rich in history, and <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the cathedral</a> and <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">museum</a> are musts. For culture, watch a play at our 2025 Best Arts, Culture &amp; Theatre Awards Winner <a data-type="URL" data-id="https://chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk" href="https://chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chelmsford Theatre</a>, drop by the <a href="https://www.chelmerfineart.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chelmer Fine Art</a> gallery, or dance like no one&#8217;s watching at one of the many events on at <a href="https://chelmsfordcityracecourse.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chelmsford City Racecourse</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Chelmsford&#8217;s overall average house price stands at £403,624, with the majority of sales being semi-detached, selling for around £432,031. Flats sell for an average of £215,994, with terraced properties fetching £367,297.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-4-1000x667.jpg" alt="Home for sale Galleywood" class="wp-image-24634" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-4-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-4.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This 4 bed family home has easy access to schools plus a part-converted garage if you want to increase your living space. A bargain at <a href="https://www.charlesdavidcasson.co.uk/property/pavitt-meadow-galleywood/#property-tabs-gallery" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">£600,000</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a data-type="URL" data-id="https://seymourhouse.co.uk/broomfield-road-nursery-chelmsford" href="https://seymourhouse.co.uk/broomfield-road-nursery-chelmsford" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Broomfield Road Day Nursery</a>, in a spacious Victorian villa in the heart of Chelmsford, is Ofsted Outstanding. <a href="https://www.stmargaretsprep.com/nursery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Margaret&#8217;s</a>, in nearby Gosfield, is also an excellent option, set in lush, listed parkland. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Chelmsford is packed with top-performers, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stcedds.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Cedd&#8217;s School</a>, <a href="https://www.newhallschool.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Hall School</a>, <a href="http://www.cchs.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chelmsford County High School for Girls</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kegs.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">King Edward VI Grammar School</a>&nbsp;for boys. Oustanding Ofsteds go to&nbsp;<a href="https://chancellorpark.essex.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chancellor Park Primary</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.perryfields-jun.essex.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Perryfields Junior School</a>, while a 20 min drive takes you to <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/felsted-school-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Felsted School</a> – an independent co-ed with tons of facilities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.papermilllock.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paper Mill Lock Tea Rooms</a>&nbsp;in Little Baddow is a must. It&#8217;s halfway along the Chelmer and Blackwater 14-mile walk, providing a welcome break. With lots of canal-side cake, of course. Make a weekend of it with a stay at <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/paper-mill-island-lodge-little-baddow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paper Mill Island Lodge</a> and wake up to the view of all views.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>With a reasonable 35 min train journey direct into London Liverpool Street, it’s not hard to see why Chelmsford is a commuter hotspot. Living 40 miles out of the capital will cost, though: annual season tickets with Greater Anglia start from £5,204.</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 260 Best Places to Live</a></em>.</p>


Chelmsford

See more in Essex