Chelmsford is the county town of Essex and it was granted city status in 2012. The elegant Stone Bridge over the River Can was built in 1787. Chelmsford Bus Station is less than ¼ mile from the railway station. Chelmsford PlusBus tickets are valid for travel within the urban area, including to Chelmsford Museum and Essex Police Museum.
Chelmsford Cathedral is relatively small with an unusually light and modern appearance inside.
Much of the building dates from the early 15th century but a section was rebuilt in 1803 after it collapsed during work on the vaults below.
Admission free, donations welcome.
Open Daily 0800-1700.
www.chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk
The museum tells the story of the police in Essex from the Victorians to the present day. Events programme.
Admission free but charges for some events.
Open Sat (also Wed in school holidays) 1000-1600.
www.essex.police.uk/museum
Bus C8/C11 from Duke Street to shortly after Chelmsford Prison, 7 minutes journey.
M-S every 15 minutes.
Chelmsford PlusBus tickets are valid for this journey.
Operated by First.
Chelmsford Museum is in the Italianate style Victorian house in Oaklands Park.
It tells the story of Chelmsford from the Ice Age to the present day, covering the development of Chelmsford from Tudor times
to the present day, including its industrial history. Also natural history and fine art collections. Essex Regiment Museum.
Events programme. Café. Admission free.
Open Daily 1000-1730.
www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums
Bus C1 from Duke Street (also 300 from Bus Station) to Moulsham Street, shortly before
the Miami Roundabout (watch for the roundabout sign), 8 minutes journey.
C1 M-S every 15 minutes, Sun & BH every 30 minutes.
300 M-S every 20 minutes, Sun & BH every 30 minutes.
Chelmsford PlusBus tickets are valid for this journey.
Operated by First.
Hylands Park is a large estate of historic parkland with ancient woodland, grassland, ponds, lakes and
Victorian Pleasure Gardens. A Park map and walks can be downloaded from the website. Events programme. Café.
The restored Neo-Classical Hylands House is occasionally open to the public. Admission free.
Open Daily 0730-dusk, see website for House opening dates.
www.hylandsestate.co.uk
Bus 351 from Bus Station to the stop immediately after the Rose Café (opposite the entrance).
Note that Hylands Park entrance is obscured by trees and ignore signs directing vehicles as they cannot turn into the entrance from this direction.
From the bus stop carefully cross the A414 dual-carriageway using the gap near the bus stop.
14 minutes journey, M-S hourly, Sun & BH 2-hourly.
Chelmsford PlusBus tickets are NOT valid for this journey.
Operated by First.
Buses also operate from Ingatestone.
Gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society with a variety of traditional and modern styles.
Highlights include the Dry Garden with drought resistant plants and the Hilltop Garden with roses and herbaceous borders.
Children's play area. Café and picnic areas.
Open Daily 1000-1800 (closes 1630 Nov-Feb).
www.rhs.org.uk
Bus 3 from Bus Station to pedestrian entrance, 23 minutes journey,
M-S infrequent and not all journeys operate via Hyde Hall.
The Hyde Hall stop is served Mar-Nov only.
Chelmsford PlusBus tickets are NOT valid for this journey.
Operated by First.
Buses also operate from Battlesbridge and Rayleigh.
Hyde Hall Garden is 2¾ miles walk from South Woodham Ferrers station.
A former water pumping station with a restored triple expansion steam pump, the Museum has many working examples of
power sources, machinery, equipment and tools, including a belt-driven machine shop. Riverside walk. Tearoom. Events programme.
Open Feb-Dec, WThFSSu 1000-1600 (1630 Apr-Oct).
www.museumofpower.org.uk
Bus 73 from Bus Station to Langford, opposite the Museum turning (John Thresher Way),
there's no marked stop, watch for the sign soon after entering Langford.
For the return journey turn left onto the main road for a marked bus stop which is nearby.
35 minutes journey, M-S about 2-hourly. Chelmsford PlusBus tickets are NOT valid for this journey.
Operated by First.
The ancient town of Maldon has a rich history and is well worth exploring with historic buildings in the High Street, including the
Moot Hall, a brick tower of three floors built around 1420. Nearby Thomas Plume's Library was constructed
from the ruins of old St Peter's Church to house his collection of over 8000 books and pamphlets. The Maeldune Heritage and Tourist Information
Centre occupies the ground floor of the building and this is a good place to start your visit. The popular Promenade Park
overlooks the Blackwater Estuary where some of the remaining Thames sailing barges can usually be seen at Hythe Quay.
www.visitmaldon.co.uk |
www.thomasplumeslibrary.co.uk
TI Maeldune Heritage Centre. Tel. 01621 851628.
Bus 31/331/332 from Bus Station to Maldon High Street, All Saints Church, about 35 minutes journey. M-F 31/331 hourly, Sat 31/331 ½-hourly, Sun 332 2-hourly. Chelmsford PlusBus tickets are NOT valid for this journey. Operated by First. Buses to Maldon also operate from Witham.
The Heritage Centre is on the ground floor of Thomas Plume's Library. It houses the 42 foot Maldon Embroidery
created to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of the 991 Battle of Maldon. Displays tell the story behind the embroidery and Maldon's history.
Maeldune is the old name for Maldon. Exhibitions programme of local art and crafts. Admission free, donations welcome.
Open TWThFS 1100-1600.
www.maelduneheritagecentre.org
Bus to Maldon High Street (see above).
A small Museum covering the social, domestic and industrial history of Maldon and the surrounding area,
including a model of Maldon East railway station. It is housed in an Edwardian former Park Keepers Lodge.
Open please see website.
www.e-voice.org.uk/maldonmuseuminthepark
Bus to Maldon High Street (see above) then ½ mile.
The Museum displays items from Britain's military history from medieval times to the present day.
Displays include weapons, military uniforms and spying equipment. Refreshments.
Open WThFSSu & BH (Daily in school holidays) 1030-1700.
www.cmsm.co.uk
Bus to Maldon High Street (see above) then ½ mile.
Three acres of riverside gardens in a picturesque setting dating from the 13th century.
Highlights include spring bulbs, roses, a wisteria walkway and a wildflower meadow. Refreshments.
Open Apr-Sep, selected Fridays (see website for dates) 1030-1630.
www.visitmaldon.co.uk/beeleigh-abbey
Bus to Maldon High Street (see above) then ¾ mile.