Chelmsford and Mid Essex Area Guide

Welcome to Mid Essex. Our region to the North East of London provides a delightful mix of rural villages and towns, ideal for families, commuters and retirees. The area has some outstanding schools and excellent shopping centres.

About our region

Our Mid Essex region with Chelmsford at the heart extends to Ongar and surrounding villages to the west. To the north, we find the villages of Ford End, the Easters and Pleshey. Going east, we have the Dengie peninsular with popular locations such as Cold Norton, Fambridge taking advantage of the open waterways, and the pretty villages of Danbury and Little Baddow. Heading south, we find the charming rural locations surrounding East & West Hanningfield and Howe Green. Whatever your preference, old or new property, rural or countryside, inland or waterfront, our area has it all.

Commuting

Our area offers excellent links by rail and road to London, Cambridge, Southend and principle locations. Stansted and Southend Airports are also within easy reach.

Chelmsford, the principle city of our region is in the London commuter belt, (35 minutes to London Liverpool Street), approximately 32 miles (51 km) northeast of Charing Cross, London. Chelmsford's population consists of a large number of City and Docklands commuters, attracted by the 30–35 minute journey from Central London via the Great Eastern Main Line. The same journey takes approximately 60 minutes by road via the A12.

Image - Chelmsford BR Station

Food and drink

Chelmsford is home to one of the largest and most diverse retail districts in Essex. High Chelmer and the Meadows are two large shopping malls, and you will find plenty of independent and chain stores in the city centre. The Bond Street Quarter is a recent addition to the city’s shopping scene and has brought stores such as John Lewis and Foyles to the area.

Image - John Lewis Bond Street - Chelmsford

With over 100 restaurants in the city, Chelmsford is a foodie’s dream. It also boasts artisan bakers, specialist butchers and farm shops. The Gourmet Food Fair, held in the high street, is a great place to sample delicacies from local producers. Take a ride out of the bustling city centre and you are sure to find a relaxing country pub to dine in.

Image - Chelmsford City Centre

For eating out we have a selection of national and internationally renowned restaurants, gourmet destination pubs and chain restaurants.

Image - The Galvin Green Man

The Galvin Green Man is a beautiful and award-winning Essex countryside pub and restaurant owned by Michelin-starred brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin. Located about 7 miles (15 – 20 minute drive) from Chelmsford, the charming pub is said to be one of the oldest in Essex, built in 1341. They can accommodate from 15 to 100 guests and offer a buffet menu which can be adapted for any special requirements and is at a set price per person. There is a large car park on-site and a licensed bar.

Image - Olio Restaurant - Writtle Green

Olio on The Green is an award-winning Italian restaurant set on the beautiful and charming Writtle Green. A fantastic family-friendly restaurant where the food is prepared with the finest natural ingredients and cooked in the traditional Italian way.

Events and places of interest

Our area offers a wide mix of events and places of interest to visit. There is always something interesting to do throughout the year.

RHS Hyde Hall

Nestled in the heart of rural Essex, enjoy the peace and tranquillity of Hyde Hall, with its eclectic mix of traditional and modern styles. Highlights include the Dry Garden with its fantastic range of drought-resistant plants and the Hilltop Garden with its roses and herbaceous borders.

Image - RHS Hyde Hall

Racing at Good Easter and Chelmsford

Chelmsford City Racecourse hosts a number of race days throughout the year and also hosts various entertainment and concerts throughout the summer months.

There is also racing at High Easter.

Image - Racing at Good Easter

Epping - Ongar Railway

Using a disused part of the overland tube network, step back in time and experience the romance of travel in bygone times as you pass through picturesque countryside, beautiful forest and historic towns. Both the longest heritage railway in Essex and the closest to London, easily accessible via the tube network.

The vintage buses start from the front door of Epping and Shenfield stations, taking you back in time to their period stations, with heritage steam and diesel hauled trains.

Image - Epping - Ongar Railway - Ongar

Education & Schools

Image - Anglia Ruskin University - Chelmsford

Mid Essex has plenty to offer regarding education and schooling. The area is home to part of the Anglia Ruskin University (formerly called Anglia Polytechnic) and to the grammar schools of Chelmsford County High School and King Edward VI Grammar School. A Catholic Secondary School in the area is St John Payne Catholic Comprehensive School. New Hall School, founded in 1642, is a private, Catholic boarding school that caters to pupils from the age of 3 right through to sixth form.

Image - Writtle College - Writtle

Educational establishments in the area include:

• Anglia Ruskin University
• King Edward VI Grammar School, known locally as 'KEGS'
• St John Payne Catholic Comprehensive School
• Writtle College, an agricultural college
• Great Baddow High School
• Moulsham High School and humanities college
• Hylands School Specialist Science and Sixth Form College
• The Boswells School
• Columbus School and College, a special needs school
• Chelmer Valley High School
• New Hall School, established 1642
• Chelmsford County High School for Girls, consistently one of the top five schools in the UK for both GCSE and A-level results
• The Sandon School
• Chelmsford College, a college of further education

If you have a growing family, then you’ll find that the educational facilities in Mid Essex really do offer something for every child. Whether they are of school age or moving into further education, they will be sure to thrive.