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Chelmsford (borough)
Encyclopedia
Chelmsford is a local government district
and borough
in Essex
, England
. It is named after its main settlement, Chelmsford
, which is also the county town
of Essex.
.
of the borough is Councillor Bob Shepherd M.B.E and is the first citizen of the borough and an ambassador for Chelmsford. A cabinet of ten councillor
s, from the 57 that constitute the council, are led by Cllr Roy Whitehead. Local elections
are held every four years in the borough.
and to the north-east the boundary is with the district of Braintree
. It shares its eastern border with Maldon
. To the south-east its borders the district of Rochford
, to the south the district of Basildon
and to the south-west it the borough of Brentwood
. To the west the borough has a boundary with the district of Epping Forest
.
is 157,748 (ONS 2004 estimate). Approximately 60,000 live in the town and over 42,400 in the surrounding suburban and semi-rural parishes. Around 16,600 live in South Woodham Ferrers
. The remainder of the population live in the surrounding rural areas, including the villages of Galleywood
, Bicknacre
, East, West and South Hanningfield
, Boreham
, Ford End
, Pleshey
, Highwood
, Good Easter
, High Easter
, Chignal St James
, Chignal Smealy, Howe Green, Roxwell
, Great Leighs
, Little Leighs
, Broomfield
, Great Waltham
, Little Waltham
, Great Baddow
, Little Baddow
, Danbury
, Sandon
, Rettendon
, Runwell
, Margaretting
, Stock
and Writtle
. (Source: population derived from 2001 census). However this number is expected to rise dramatically, with 40,000 homes to be built in the metropolitan area of the borough which could bring the size of Chelmsford up to over 170,000 to be concentrated around Boreham Airfield, Broomfield, North Springfield and Beaulieu Park. These communities would be primarily built as an urban village design; a place to work, live and play.
in the centre and South Woodham Ferrers
to the south east. The north west of the borough is predominantly rural. Villages are found throughout the borough.
The River Chelmer
flows into the borough near North End and flows to Chelmsford where the River Can
converges with it at the town centre, the River Chelmer then flows out of the borough between Boreham and Little Baddow. The River Can's source is in the north west of the borough. The River Wid flows from the South of the borough through Widford
towards the centre past Writtle to join the River Can between Writtle and Chelmsford. The River Crouch
flows along the part of the south-eastern border below South Woodham Ferrers. Hanningfield Reservoir
, a Site of Special Scientific Interest
, is located in the south of the borough.
runs through the centre, stopping at Chelmsford railway station
. Services via Chelmsford operate between London Liverpool Street
and Ipswich
, Clacton, Harwich
, Braintree
or Norwich
. The Crouch Valley Line
also runs through the far south-east tip of the borough, stopping at South Woodham Ferrers
were services run from Wickford
to Southminster
from South Woodham Ferrers railway station.
The Amsterdam Express
, a rail/sea/rail international service also stops in the borough at Chelmsford, connecting the town to the Netherlands
.
There are several primary routes within the borough. One of these, the A12, is also a trunk road
and runs from London
and the M25
, centrally in a north-easterly direction through the borough bypassing the town of Chelmsford onwards to Suffolk
and Norfolk
. Two other significant primary routes are the A130
which runs north-south across Essex
and the A414, which begins as a primary route in Chelmsford but its terminus us Maldon in Essex. The A414 then runs west through Essex, meets the M11
and then its path continues into Hertfordshire
via Harlow
. Various other A- and B-Roads
connect the borough, especially its main town, Chelmsford, to the rest of the county and beyond.
's former Palace of Beaulieu
is situated in Boreham
, now occupied by the New Hall School
. Other places to visit in the borough include the RHS Garden, Hyde Hall
at Rettendon, and numerous open spaces in Chelmsford, including Admirals and Central Parks. Writtle
, where Robert the Bruce
is said to have married his second wife Elizabeth de Burgh
in 1302, has English Royal connections, with King John building a hunting lodge there in 1211. Much of the site now lies within the grounds of Writtle College
, the internationally famous centre for horticulture and agriculture. A few miles away is the attractive village of Pleshey
, where stand the ruins of a once important castle mentioned in William Shakespeare
's play Richard II
. The entire circuit of the castle walls can still be traced in the village streets. American tourists often visit the village of Springfield, Essex
, the origin of "Springfield
" as a popular place name, first giving its name to the important City of Springfield, Massachusetts
, and subsequently Springfield, Illinois
, the state capital of Illinois
, and Springfield, Missouri
, among numerous others.
are: — Backnang
(Germany
) — Annonay
(France
) — Chelmsford, Massachusetts
(USA)
Non-metropolitan district
Non-metropolitan districts, or colloquially shire districts, are a type of local government district in England. As created, they are sub-divisions of non-metropolitan counties in a so-called "two-tier" arrangement...
and borough
Borough
A borough is an administrative division in various countries. In principle, the term borough designates a self-governing township although, in practice, official use of the term varies widely....
in Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is named after its main settlement, Chelmsford
Chelmsford
Chelmsford is the county town of Essex, England and the principal settlement of the borough of Chelmsford. It is located in the London commuter belt, approximately northeast of Charing Cross, London, and approximately the same distance from the once provincial Roman capital at Colchester...
, which is also the county town
County town
A county town is a county's administrative centre in the United Kingdom or Ireland. County towns are usually the location of administrative or judicial functions, or established over time as the de facto main town of a county. The concept of a county town eventually became detached from its...
of Essex.
History
The current district was formed on 1 April 1974 from the borough of Chelmsford, and most of the Chelmsford Rural DistrictChelmsford Rural District
Chelmsford was a local government district in Essex, England from 1894 to 1974. It surrounded, but did not include, the town of Chelmsford; which formed a municipal borough....
.
Chelmsford Borough Council (CBC)
The mayorMayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of the borough is Councillor Bob Shepherd M.B.E and is the first citizen of the borough and an ambassador for Chelmsford. A cabinet of ten councillor
Councillor
A councillor or councilor is a member of a local government council, such as a city council.Often in the United States, the title is councilman or councilwoman.-United Kingdom:...
s, from the 57 that constitute the council, are led by Cllr Roy Whitehead. Local elections
Chelmsford local elections
Chelmsford District Council in Essex, England is elected every four years. Since the last boundary changes in 2003 57 councillors have been elected from 24 wards.-Political control:...
are held every four years in the borough.
Parish and town councils
The borough contains 26 parishes--one town council and 25 parish councils. They are:Parish councils
- BorehamBorehamBoreham is a village and civil parish, in Essex, England. It is located approximately northeast from the county town of Chelmsford. The village is in the borough of Chelmsford and parliamentary constituency of Saffron Walden.- History :...
- BroomfieldBroomfield, EssexBroomfield is a village and residential suburb situated immediately to the north of Chelmsford, in central Essex. It is the site of a major Accident & Emergency hospital. There are two public houses as well as primary and secondary schools and sports clubs....
- Chignall
- DanburyDanburyDanbury is a city in Connecticut, U.S.Danbury may also refer to:*Danbury, Saskatchewan, Canada*Danbury, Essex, UK*Danbury, Iowa, U.S.*Danbury, Nebraska, U.S.*Danbury, New Hampshire, U.S.*Danbury, North Carolina, U.S.*Danbury, Texas, U.S....
- East HanningfieldEast HanningfieldEast Hanningfield is a small village in south Essex, England. It is situated to the southeast of Chelmsford and to the northwest of South Woodham Ferrers...
- GalleywoodGalleywoodGalleywood is a village surrounded by countryside in Essex, about 30 miles from London, and close to the town of Chelmsford. It is off the A12 which connects to the M25 in London...
- Good EasterGood EasterGood Easter is a village in the Chelmsford District, in the English county of Essex. It is located near the A1060 road a few miles away from the large town of Chelmsford....
- Great BaddowGreat BaddowGreat Baddow is an urban village in the Chelmsford borough of Essex, England. It is close to the county town, Chelmsford and, with a population of over 13,000, is one of the largest villages in the country....
- Great and Little Leighs
- Great WalthamGreat WalthamGreat Waltham is a village and a parish in the Chelmsford District, in the county of Essex. It has a guildhall called Great Waltham Guildhall. It is a few miles away from the large town of Chelmsford...
- Highwood, EssexHighwood, EssexHighwood is a village in the Chelmsford District, in the county of Essex. An area of the village is called Loves Green. It is about a mile away from the A414 road and a few miles away from the town centre of Chelmsford. There is also the hamlet of Edney Common nearby.-References:*...
- Little BaddowLittle BaddowLittle Baddow is a large thriving village to the east of Chelmsford, Essex. The name Baddow comes from an Old English word meaning 'bad water', although this probably refers to the meadow area in Great Baddow as opposed to any water mass in Little Baddow...
- Little WalthamLittle WalthamLittle Waltham is a village just north of Chelmsford. It is adjacent to the village of Great Waltham. The Domesday Book refers to the two villages as Waltham consisting of several manors. The site of an Iron Age village was excavated before upgrading the main road north between the current...
- MargarettingMargarettingMargaretting is a small village in the Chelmsford District, in the English county of Essex.- Location :The village is located on the B1002 road approximately four miles from Chelmsford and two miles from the small town of Ingatestone. It is near the River Wid...
- PlesheyPlesheyThe village of Pleshey lies in Essex, England, just to the northwest of Chelmsford.William the Conqueror gave Pleshey, in the parish of High Easter to Geoffrey de Mandeville in appreciation of his services; Mandeville was one of William's battle commanders at the Battle of Hastings in 1066...
- RettendonRettendonRettendon is a small village in the Borough of Chelmsford in Essex, England about south east of the county town Chelmsford. Situated near the River Crouch the village was once owned by the Bishop of Ely. The A130 formerly passed through the village...
- RoxwellRoxwellRoxwell is a village and a parish in the Chelmsford District, in the English county of Essex.The parish church is St Michael & All Angels. There is a primary school and a public house...
- RunwellRunwellRunwell is a suburb of Wickford and a civil parish on the A132 road, in the Chelmsford District, in the English county of Essex.- Amenities :Runwell has a primary school, a church, St Mary's and a hospital ....
- SandonSandonSandon may refer to:* Sandon, Essex* Sandon, Hertfordshire* Sandon, Staffordshire* Sandon, British Columbia* Sandon, Victoria* Sandon County, New South Wales* Sandon, ancient Hittite deity* Gotska Sandön, a Swedish islandPeople with the name Sandon:...
- South HanningfieldSouth HanningfieldSouth Hanningfield is a small village and civil parish in south Essex, England. It is located approximately south-southeast of the county town of Chelmsford, and approximately 5 km South Hanningfield is a small village and civil parish in south Essex, England. It is located approximately ...
- SpringfieldSpringfield, EssexSpringfield has been a civil parish of the Borough of Chelmsford, Essex, England since 1907. The parish takes in the portion of the town north of river Chelmer and west of the A12 bypass and originally comprised the manors of Springfield Hall, Springfield Barnes, Cuton Hall, and in part New Hall...
- StockStock, EssexStock is a village and civil parish in south Essex, England. It is located approximately south of the county town of Chelmsford. The village is in the borough of Chelmsford and in the parliamentary constituency of Maldon.-Facilities:...
- West HanningfieldWest HanningfieldWest Hanningfield is a small village and civil parish in south Essex, England. It is located approximately south-southeast of the county town of Chelmsford. The village is in the borough of Chelmsford and in the parliamentary constituency of Rayleigh....
- Woodham Ferrers and Bicknacre
- WrittleWrittleThe village of Writtle lies a mile west of Chelmsford, Essex, England, it has a traditional village green, complete with duck pond and a Norman church; and was once described as: 'one of the loveliest villages in England, with a ravishing variety of ancient cottages'...
Boundaries
To the north-west it borders the district of UttlesfordUttlesford
Uttlesford is a local government district in Essex, England. Its council is based in Saffron Walden.Its name is derived from the ancient Hundred of the same name....
and to the north-east the boundary is with the district of Braintree
Braintree (district)
Braintree is a local government district in the English county of Essex. Its main town is Braintree.The main centres of population are Braintree, Witham and Halstead....
. It shares its eastern border with Maldon
Maldon (district)
Maldon is a local government district in Essex, England. Its council is based in the town of Maldon, and the next largest centre of population is Burnham-on-Crouch. The district covers the Dengie peninsula as well as an area to the north of the Blackwater Estuary, a total area of...
. To the south-east its borders the district of Rochford
Rochford (district)
Rochford is a local government district in Essex, England. It is named for one of its main settlements, Rochford, though the major centre of population in the district is the town of Rayleigh...
, to the south the district of Basildon
Basildon (district)
Basildon is a local government district in south Essex in the East of England, centred around the town of Basildon. The district was formed under the Local Government Act 1972 on 1 April 1974 from the former area of Basildon Urban District and the part of Thurrock Urban District that was within the...
and to the south-west it the borough of Brentwood
Brentwood (borough)
Brentwood is a local government district and borough in Essex in the East of England.-History & Geography:The borough is named after the town of Brentwood which is the main development in the area. There are still large areas of woodland including Shenfield Common, Hartswood , Weald Country Park,...
. To the west the borough has a boundary with the district of Epping Forest
Epping Forest (district)
Epping Forest is a local government district of the county of Essex, England. It is named after Epping Forest, of which the district contains a large part...
.
Population
The total population of the area covered by the Borough councilCity council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
is 157,748 (ONS 2004 estimate). Approximately 60,000 live in the town and over 42,400 in the surrounding suburban and semi-rural parishes. Around 16,600 live in South Woodham Ferrers
South Woodham Ferrers
South Woodham Ferrers is a town and civil parish in the borough of Chelmsford, Essex, England. It is approximately from London and, according to the 2001 census, has a population of 16,629. The town is located east of Fenn Creek, and near where it meets the River Crouch...
. The remainder of the population live in the surrounding rural areas, including the villages of Galleywood
Galleywood
Galleywood is a village surrounded by countryside in Essex, about 30 miles from London, and close to the town of Chelmsford. It is off the A12 which connects to the M25 in London...
, Bicknacre
Bicknacre
Bicknacre is a village in Essex, England. It is approximately north of South Woodham Ferrers and southeast of the county town of Chelmsford. The village is in the borough of Chelmsford and in the parliamentary constituency of Maldon & East Chelmsford...
, East, West and South Hanningfield
South Hanningfield
South Hanningfield is a small village and civil parish in south Essex, England. It is located approximately south-southeast of the county town of Chelmsford, and approximately 5 km South Hanningfield is a small village and civil parish in south Essex, England. It is located approximately ...
, Boreham
Boreham
Boreham is a village and civil parish, in Essex, England. It is located approximately northeast from the county town of Chelmsford. The village is in the borough of Chelmsford and parliamentary constituency of Saffron Walden.- History :...
, Ford End
Ford End
Ford End is a small village in the parish of Great Waltham half way between Chelmsford and Great Dunmow in Essex, England....
, Pleshey
Pleshey
The village of Pleshey lies in Essex, England, just to the northwest of Chelmsford.William the Conqueror gave Pleshey, in the parish of High Easter to Geoffrey de Mandeville in appreciation of his services; Mandeville was one of William's battle commanders at the Battle of Hastings in 1066...
, Highwood
Highwood, Essex
Highwood is a village in the Chelmsford District, in the county of Essex. An area of the village is called Loves Green. It is about a mile away from the A414 road and a few miles away from the town centre of Chelmsford. There is also the hamlet of Edney Common nearby.-References:*...
, Good Easter
Good Easter
Good Easter is a village in the Chelmsford District, in the English county of Essex. It is located near the A1060 road a few miles away from the large town of Chelmsford....
, High Easter
High Easter
High Easter is a village and a civil parish in the Uttlesford District, in the English county of Essex. It is near the large town of Chelmsford and the hamlet of Stagden Cross. It is near the chief source of the River Can.-Location grid:-External links:...
, Chignal St James
Chignal St James
Chignal St James is a small parish, 3½ miles northwest by west of Chelmsford, Essex, containing only around 250 people.The spelling of the village name is open to discussion...
, Chignal Smealy, Howe Green, Roxwell
Roxwell
Roxwell is a village and a parish in the Chelmsford District, in the English county of Essex.The parish church is St Michael & All Angels. There is a primary school and a public house...
, Great Leighs
Great Leighs
Great Leighs is a village in Essex, England, half way between Chelmsford and Braintree. In 2008 Great Leighs became home to the first new racecourse in 80 years, when the nearby Essex County Showground was converted into a state-of-the-art horse-racing venue...
, Little Leighs
Little Leighs
Little Leighs is a village in the Chelmsford District, in the English county of Essex. Little Leighs lies beside the River Ter, just south of the village of Great Leighs; until rerouting bypassed the village, Little Leighs was on the A131 road....
, Broomfield
Broomfield, Essex
Broomfield is a village and residential suburb situated immediately to the north of Chelmsford, in central Essex. It is the site of a major Accident & Emergency hospital. There are two public houses as well as primary and secondary schools and sports clubs....
, Great Waltham
Great Waltham
Great Waltham is a village and a parish in the Chelmsford District, in the county of Essex. It has a guildhall called Great Waltham Guildhall. It is a few miles away from the large town of Chelmsford...
, Little Waltham
Little Waltham
Little Waltham is a village just north of Chelmsford. It is adjacent to the village of Great Waltham. The Domesday Book refers to the two villages as Waltham consisting of several manors. The site of an Iron Age village was excavated before upgrading the main road north between the current...
, Great Baddow
Great Baddow
Great Baddow is an urban village in the Chelmsford borough of Essex, England. It is close to the county town, Chelmsford and, with a population of over 13,000, is one of the largest villages in the country....
, Little Baddow
Little Baddow
Little Baddow is a large thriving village to the east of Chelmsford, Essex. The name Baddow comes from an Old English word meaning 'bad water', although this probably refers to the meadow area in Great Baddow as opposed to any water mass in Little Baddow...
, Danbury
Danbury, Essex
Danbury is a village in Essex, England. It is located northeast of Charing Cross, London and has a population of 6,500. It is situated on a hill above sea level.-Origins:The village was built on the site of a megalithic hill fort noted for its oval shape....
, Sandon
Sandon
Sandon may refer to:* Sandon, Essex* Sandon, Hertfordshire* Sandon, Staffordshire* Sandon, British Columbia* Sandon, Victoria* Sandon County, New South Wales* Sandon, ancient Hittite deity* Gotska Sandön, a Swedish islandPeople with the name Sandon:...
, Rettendon
Rettendon
Rettendon is a small village in the Borough of Chelmsford in Essex, England about south east of the county town Chelmsford. Situated near the River Crouch the village was once owned by the Bishop of Ely. The A130 formerly passed through the village...
, Runwell
Runwell
Runwell is a suburb of Wickford and a civil parish on the A132 road, in the Chelmsford District, in the English county of Essex.- Amenities :Runwell has a primary school, a church, St Mary's and a hospital ....
, Margaretting
Margaretting
Margaretting is a small village in the Chelmsford District, in the English county of Essex.- Location :The village is located on the B1002 road approximately four miles from Chelmsford and two miles from the small town of Ingatestone. It is near the River Wid...
, Stock
Stock, Essex
Stock is a village and civil parish in south Essex, England. It is located approximately south of the county town of Chelmsford. The village is in the borough of Chelmsford and in the parliamentary constituency of Maldon.-Facilities:...
and Writtle
Writtle
The village of Writtle lies a mile west of Chelmsford, Essex, England, it has a traditional village green, complete with duck pond and a Norman church; and was once described as: 'one of the loveliest villages in England, with a ravishing variety of ancient cottages'...
. (Source: population derived from 2001 census). However this number is expected to rise dramatically, with 40,000 homes to be built in the metropolitan area of the borough which could bring the size of Chelmsford up to over 170,000 to be concentrated around Boreham Airfield, Broomfield, North Springfield and Beaulieu Park. These communities would be primarily built as an urban village design; a place to work, live and play.
Geography
The borough has two towns, the principal settlement ChelmsfordChelmsford
Chelmsford is the county town of Essex, England and the principal settlement of the borough of Chelmsford. It is located in the London commuter belt, approximately northeast of Charing Cross, London, and approximately the same distance from the once provincial Roman capital at Colchester...
in the centre and South Woodham Ferrers
South Woodham Ferrers
South Woodham Ferrers is a town and civil parish in the borough of Chelmsford, Essex, England. It is approximately from London and, according to the 2001 census, has a population of 16,629. The town is located east of Fenn Creek, and near where it meets the River Crouch...
to the south east. The north west of the borough is predominantly rural. Villages are found throughout the borough.
The River Chelmer
River Chelmer
The River Chelmer is a river that flows entirely through the county of Essex, England.The source of the river is near Debden Green, a village near Thaxted. The source of the River Can is also nearby. The River Chelmer flows past Thaxted, south through the district of Uttlesford around the...
flows into the borough near North End and flows to Chelmsford where the River Can
River Can
The River Can is a river in Essex, England. Chelmsford is centered on the confluence of the Can and the River Chelmer. The Can enters Chelmsford from the west, joining the Chelmer to the east of the town. From the confluence, the Can becomes part of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation...
converges with it at the town centre, the River Chelmer then flows out of the borough between Boreham and Little Baddow. The River Can's source is in the north west of the borough. The River Wid flows from the South of the borough through Widford
Widford, Essex
Widford is a parish of Chelmsford approximately to the south/ south west of the city’s train station. The current parish boundary encloses a mixed residential, industrial and rural area south of the River Can, east of the River Wid and mostly to the west of the Great Eastern Main...
towards the centre past Writtle to join the River Can between Writtle and Chelmsford. The River Crouch
River Crouch
The River Crouch is a river that flows entirely through the English county of Essex.The distance of the Navigation between Holliwell Point which is north of Foulness Island and Battlesbridge is 17.5 Miles, i.e. 15.21 Nautical Miles.-Route:...
flows along the part of the south-eastern border below South Woodham Ferrers. Hanningfield Reservoir
Hanningfield Reservoir
Hanningfield Reservoir is an artificial body of water in Essex, south of Chelmsford, and is owned by Essex and Suffolk Water. The reservoir was formed by flooding an area of South Hanningfield covering the ancient hamlet of Peasdown although contrary to popular belief, no buildings survive under...
, a Site of Special Scientific Interest
Site of Special Scientific Interest
A Site of Special Scientific Interest is a conservation designation denoting a protected area in the United Kingdom. SSSIs are the basic building block of site-based nature conservation legislation and most other legal nature/geological conservation designations in Great Britain are based upon...
, is located in the south of the borough.
Transport
The rail links, both national and international, which run through the borough, are all operated by National Express East Anglia. Two national rail services operate. The Great Eastern Main LineGreat Eastern Main Line
The Great Eastern Main Line is a 212 Kilometre major railway line of the British railway system, which connects Liverpool Street in the City of London with destinations in east London and the East of England, including Chelmsford, Colchester, Ipswich, Norwich and several coastal resorts such as...
runs through the centre, stopping at Chelmsford railway station
Chelmsford railway station
Chelmsford railway station is a railway station serving the town of Chelmsford in Essex. The station is located on the Great Eastern Main Line.The station is served by National Express East Anglia...
. Services via Chelmsford operate between London Liverpool Street
Liverpool Street station
Liverpool Street railway station, also known as London Liverpool Street or simply Liverpool Street, is both a central London railway terminus and a connected London Underground station in the north-eastern corner of the City of London, England...
and Ipswich
Ipswich
Ipswich is a large town and a non-metropolitan district. It is the county town of Suffolk, England. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the River Orwell...
, Clacton, Harwich
Harwich
Harwich is a town in Essex, England and one of the Haven ports, located on the coast with the North Sea to the east. It is in the Tendring district. Nearby places include Felixstowe to the northeast, Ipswich to the northwest, Colchester to the southwest and Clacton-on-Sea to the south...
, Braintree
Braintree, Essex
Braintree is a town of about 42,000 people and the principal settlement of the Braintree district of Essex in the East of England. It is northeast of Chelmsford and west of Colchester on the River Blackwater, A120 road and a branch of the Great Eastern Main Line.Braintree has grown contiguous...
or Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
. The Crouch Valley Line
Crouch Valley Line
The Crouch Valley Line is a branch line from Wickford to Southminster in Essex. It is usually called the Southminster Branch by users of the line, although that is no longer its official name...
also runs through the far south-east tip of the borough, stopping at South Woodham Ferrers
South Woodham Ferrers
South Woodham Ferrers is a town and civil parish in the borough of Chelmsford, Essex, England. It is approximately from London and, according to the 2001 census, has a population of 16,629. The town is located east of Fenn Creek, and near where it meets the River Crouch...
were services run from Wickford
Wickford
Wickford is a town in the south of the English county of Essex, with a population of more than 32,500. Located approximately 30 miles east of London, it falls within the District of Basildon along with Basildon, Billericay, Laindon and Pitsea....
to Southminster
Southminster
Southminster is a town on the Dengie peninsula in the Maldon district of Essex in the East of England. It lies about three miles north of Burnham-on-Crouch and ten miles south-east of Maldon. To the north is the River Blackwater, which is tidal and since Roman times has been the gateway to trading...
from South Woodham Ferrers railway station.
The Amsterdam Express
Dutchflyer
Dutchflyer is the name given in the UK to an integrated passenger service between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Formerly known as Amsterdam Express, Dutchflyer is a rail/sea/rail service operated jointly by Stena Line, National Express East Anglia, and Nederlandse Spoorwegen...
, a rail/sea/rail international service also stops in the borough at Chelmsford, connecting the town to the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.
There are several primary routes within the borough. One of these, the A12, is also a trunk road
Trunk road
A trunk road, trunk highway, or strategic road is a major road—usually connecting two or more cities, ports, airports, and other things.—which is the recommended route for long-distance and freight traffic...
and runs from London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and the M25
M25 motorway
The M25 motorway, or London Orbital, is a orbital motorway that almost encircles Greater London, England, in the United Kingdom. The motorway was first mooted early in the 20th century. A few sections, based on the now abandoned London Ringways plan, were constructed in the early 1970s and it ...
, centrally in a north-easterly direction through the borough bypassing the town of Chelmsford onwards to Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
and Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
. Two other significant primary routes are the A130
A130 road
The A130 is a major road in England linking Little Waltham, near Chelmsford, the county town of Essex, with Canvey Island in the south of that county. It is a primary route for most of its length, only losing that status south of the A13 junction at Sadlers Farm "magic" roundabout as it nears its...
which runs north-south across Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
and the A414, which begins as a primary route in Chelmsford but its terminus us Maldon in Essex. The A414 then runs west through Essex, meets the M11
M11 motorway
The M11 motorway in England is a major road running approximately north from the North Circular Road in South Woodford in north-east London to the A14, north-west of Cambridge.-Route:...
and then its path continues into Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
via Harlow
Harlow
Harlow is a new town and local government district in Essex, England. It is located in the west of the county and on the border with Hertfordshire, on the Stort Valley, The town is near the M11 motorway and forms part of the London commuter belt.The district has a current population of 78,889...
. Various other A- and B-Roads
Great Britain road numbering scheme
The Great Britain road numbering scheme is a numbering scheme used to classify and identify all roads in Great Britain. Each road is given a single letter, which represents the road's category, and a subsequent number, with a length of between 1 and 4 digits. Originally introduced to arrange...
connect the borough, especially its main town, Chelmsford, to the rest of the county and beyond.
Education
Educational establishments in the borough include:- Anglia Ruskin UniversityAnglia Ruskin UniversityAnglia Ruskin University is one of the largest universities in Eastern England, United Kingdom, with a total student population of around 30,000.-History:...
- King Edward VI Grammar SchoolKing Edward VI Grammar School (Chelmsford)King Edward VI Grammar School, or KEGS, is a British grammar school located in the town of Chelmsford, Essex, England. It takes pupils between the ages of 11 and 18 — from Year 7 to 11 the pupils are exclusively male, although it becomes mixed in the sixth form .The present headteacher is Thomas...
, known locally as 'KEGS' - St John Payne Catholic Comprehensive SchoolSt John Payne Catholic Comprehensive SchoolSaint John Payne Catholic School is a Roman Catholic faith school located in Chelmsford, Essex. Established in 1959, it has been one of the leading faith schools in the area since its opening...
- Chelmsford County High School
- Writtle CollegeWrittle CollegeWrittle College is one of the largest land-based university colleges in the UK; it is also one of the oldest. Writtle, previously known as Writtle Agricultural College, is a Partner Institution of the University of Essex and teaches FE and HE programmes.- Writtle :The college has diversified over...
, an agricultural college - Great Baddow High SchoolGreat Baddow High SchoolGreat Baddow High School is a secondary school in Chelmsford, Essex, England. The ages of pupils range from 11 to 16 years old, and students in sixth form ages from 16 onwards. In September 2002, the school was awarded specialist Sports College status, where children benefit from a wide range of...
- Moulsham High School and humanities collegeMoulsham High SchoolMoulsham High School is a comprehensive school in Chelmsford, Essex. The headteacher is Mr M. Farmer.The Current head boy is Joshua Missen and the head girl is Zoe Mcclymont.Head of student council is Robert Cashman-External links:*...
- Hylands School Specialist Science and Sixth Form CollegeHylands SchoolHylands School is a school in Chelmsford, Essex. It is a specialist Science College.- External links:*...
- The Boswells School
- Columbus School and College, a special needs school.
- Chelmer Valley High SchoolChelmer Valley High SchoolChelmer Valley High School is a co-educational comprehensive school in Chelmsford, Essex, England. It is a specialist Engineering College and is the home of the Blue Falcons Gymnastic Display Team....
- New Hall SchoolPalace of Beaulieuright|350px|thumb|Beaulieu Palace circa 1580The Palace of Beaulieu also known as New Hall was located in Essex, England, north of Chelmsford....
, opened 1799. - Chelmsford County High School for GirlsChelmsford County High School for GirlsChelmsford County High School for Girls, or "CCHS", is a selective grammar school for girls aged 11–18 located in Chelmsford, Essex, England. It is one of the most consistently high-achieving secondary schools in the UK, regularly scoring in the top 5 schools for both GCSE and A-level results.In...
, consistently one of the top five schools in the UK for both GCSE and A-level results. - St Peters CollegeSt Peters CollegeSt. Peters College is a Church of England Voluntary Aided School in Chelmsford, Essex. The school is a specialist arts college.It is due to be closed in August 2011. -External links:*...
, the former Rainsford High School, which is due for closure in August 2011. - The Sandon SchoolThe Sandon SchoolThe Sandon School in Chelmsford, Essex is an 11-18 mixed comprehensive of 1200 students.- External links :*...
- Chelmsford CollegeChelmsford College-External links:*...
a college of further educationFurther educationFurther education is a term mainly used in connection with education in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is post-compulsory education , that is distinct from the education offered in universities...
Tourism
Henry VIIIHenry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
's former Palace of Beaulieu
Palace of Beaulieu
right|350px|thumb|Beaulieu Palace circa 1580The Palace of Beaulieu also known as New Hall was located in Essex, England, north of Chelmsford....
is situated in Boreham
Boreham
Boreham is a village and civil parish, in Essex, England. It is located approximately northeast from the county town of Chelmsford. The village is in the borough of Chelmsford and parliamentary constituency of Saffron Walden.- History :...
, now occupied by the New Hall School
New Hall School
New Hall is one of the oldest Catholic schools in England. It is located in the former Tudor Palace of Beaulieu in Essex.Today New Hall is a leading Catholic independent boarding & day school for boys and girls aged 3–18. Founded in 1642, New Hall School, Chelmsford, is the oldest Catholic school...
. Other places to visit in the borough include the RHS Garden, Hyde Hall
RHS Garden, Hyde Hall
The Royal Horticultural Society's garden at Hyde Hall in the English county of Essex east of London. It is one of four public gardens run by the Society, alongside Wisley, Harlow Carr, and Rosemoor. In the year ended 31 January 2010 it received 130,011 visitors....
at Rettendon, and numerous open spaces in Chelmsford, including Admirals and Central Parks. Writtle
Writtle
The village of Writtle lies a mile west of Chelmsford, Essex, England, it has a traditional village green, complete with duck pond and a Norman church; and was once described as: 'one of the loveliest villages in England, with a ravishing variety of ancient cottages'...
, where Robert the Bruce
Robert I of Scotland
Robert I , popularly known as Robert the Bruce , was King of Scots from March 25, 1306, until his death in 1329.His paternal ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage , and...
is said to have married his second wife Elizabeth de Burgh
Elizabeth de Burgh
Elizabeth de Burgh was the second wife and the only queen consort of King Robert I of Scotland.-Life:She was born in Dunfermline, Fife in Scotland, the daughter of the powerful Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster and his wife Margarite de Burgh...
in 1302, has English Royal connections, with King John building a hunting lodge there in 1211. Much of the site now lies within the grounds of Writtle College
Writtle College
Writtle College is one of the largest land-based university colleges in the UK; it is also one of the oldest. Writtle, previously known as Writtle Agricultural College, is a Partner Institution of the University of Essex and teaches FE and HE programmes.- Writtle :The college has diversified over...
, the internationally famous centre for horticulture and agriculture. A few miles away is the attractive village of Pleshey
Pleshey
The village of Pleshey lies in Essex, England, just to the northwest of Chelmsford.William the Conqueror gave Pleshey, in the parish of High Easter to Geoffrey de Mandeville in appreciation of his services; Mandeville was one of William's battle commanders at the Battle of Hastings in 1066...
, where stand the ruins of a once important castle mentioned in William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
's play Richard II
Richard II (play)
King Richard the Second is a history play by William Shakespeare believed to be written in approximately 1595. It is based on the life of King Richard II of England and is the first part of a tetralogy, referred to by some scholars as the Henriad, followed by three plays concerning Richard's...
. The entire circuit of the castle walls can still be traced in the village streets. American tourists often visit the village of Springfield, Essex
Springfield, Essex
Springfield has been a civil parish of the Borough of Chelmsford, Essex, England since 1907. The parish takes in the portion of the town north of river Chelmer and west of the A12 bypass and originally comprised the manors of Springfield Hall, Springfield Barnes, Cuton Hall, and in part New Hall...
, the origin of "Springfield
Springfield (toponym)
Springfield is a famously common place-name in the English-speaking world, especially in the United States. According to the U.S. Geological Survey there are currently 34 populated places in 25 states named Springfield throughout the United States, including at least four in Wisconsin;...
" as a popular place name, first giving its name to the important City of Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
, and subsequently Springfield, Illinois
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
, the state capital of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, and Springfield, Missouri
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
, among numerous others.
Twin towns
Chelmsford's official twin townsTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
are: — Backnang
Backnang
Backnang is a town in Germany in the Bundesland of Baden-Württemberg, roughly 30 kilometers northeast of Stuttgart. Its population has increased greatly over the past century, from 7,650 in 1900 to 35,761 in 2005....
(Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
) — Annonay
Annonay
Annonay is a commune in the north of the Ardèche department in the Rhône-Alpes region in southern France. It is the most populous commune in the Ardèche department, although it is not the capital, which resides in the smaller town of Privas.-Geography:...
(France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) — Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Chelmsford is a suburban town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts in the Greater Boston area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town's population was 33,802. The Census Bureau's 2008 population estimate for the town was 34,409, ranking it 14th in population among the 54 municipalities in...
(USA)