10 Best Family Days Out In Chelmsford
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Image © Patricia Wilden.
A visit to Chelmsford in Essex always an adventure, that can provide days of fun for all the family.
Chelmsford has some of the best experiences in Essex for families and is well worth a trip during the summer holidays. The city offers fun days out for kids with a range of interests and passions where your family can create memories to last a lifetime.
Check out some of the best parks, attractions and shopping in the city. The city of Chelmsford is a manageable size and we have made it easy to see what's on offer.
Marsh Farm Animal Adventure Park
Animal lovers need look no further, as Marsh Farm Animal Adventure Park has everything you need for an action-packed day meeting furry friends. The farm shop sells locally sourced, fresh produce, snacks and drinks, and this is a great idea for children and families who love a park and farm day out.
They have free parking on site, and disabled toilet facilities and baby changing are available.
The park is only taking bookings online due to COVID-19. However, they aren't allocating specific time slots so everyone can enjoy the farm at a leisurely pace whilst maintaining distancing measures.
Where Is It? Marsh Farm, Marsh Farm Rd, South Woodham, Ferrers, CM3 5WP.
Is It Accessible For Wheelchairs and Buggies? It is accessible for buggies and wheelchair users but please be aware that it can get muddy when it rains.
How Much Does It Cost? £6.99 for standard entry.
Capital Karts
A visit to Capital Karts is a must when you are near Chelmsford. Just 15 minutes away from London city centre is the UK's longest indoor Go Karting track.
They are open with a reduced capacity and increased cleaning measures to ensure the safety of visitors. If you work up an appetite after your session, their restaurant is back open with distancing measures in place, just please note that they are only accepting card payments. Free parking is available and they have disabled toilets and baby changing facilities.
Where Is It? Capital Karts Ltd, Unit 1, Rippleside, London, IG11 0RJ.
Is It Accessible For Wheelchairs and Buggies? Yes.
How Much Does It Cost? £27.50 for an adult sprint session and £24.00 for a junior session.
RHS Garden Hyde Hall
A 360-acre site of tranquillity is what to expect at Winter Garden and Global Growth Vegetable Garden. A day out to visit the gardens will leave the kids and family rejuvenated. Plus, after spending some time admiring the flowers you can get takeaway food from the Gardener's Rest restaurant.
Currently, you need to pre-book your sessions. Disabled toilets and baby changing facilities are available and parking is free. They are asking all guests to maintain distancing measures on the premises.
Where Is It? Hyde Hall Creephedge Lane Rettendon, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 8ET England.
Is It Accessible For Wheelchairs And Buggies? Yes.
How Much Does It Cost? £12.15 for Adults and £6.10 for children.
Caddies Crazy Golf
If your family has a competitive streak, you can't beat crazy golf. They are now taking only online bookings for two groups on the course at a time to maintain social distancing. After you have played the course, you can relax and enjoy a bite at the restaurant.
They are close to Essex Street, Warrior Square and The Victoria Shopping Centre car parks. They have great gluten-free and vegan options and a fabulous kids menu. Disabled toilets and baby changing facilities are available.
Where Is It? 12 London Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1NT, England.
Is It Accessible For Wheelchairs And Buggies? Yes.
How Much Does It Cost? Starting at £6.50 for 9 holes, but increasing in price if you want to play the 18 holes across the two courses.
Live Dosa
This restaurant is named after a staple of South Indian cuisine- the humble dosa. We recommend the masala dosa and the Kootu Curry. They cater to vegans and have a huge gluten-free selection.
There are two car parks, one near Ship pub and the other by Chelmsford city theatre, both within walking distance. They only have takeaway and collection options at the moment, you can book online or over the phone. They have increased cleaning procedures for delivery to ensure a safe service.
Where Is It? Live Dosa, 43 Duke St, Chelmsford, Essex, UK.
Is It Accessible For Wheelchairs And Buggies? Yes.
Bond Street
For a city experience and day out perfect for kids and adults alike, Chelmsford City centre has a modern, accessible high street with a great selection of shops and restaurants including Wagamama, Prezzo and Jamaica Blue which offer great vegan and gluten-free options.
The individual venues will have their own measures in place so it is best to check before booking.
Bond street car park starts at £2.40 for up to an hour.
Where Is It? Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1GD, England.
Is It Accessible For Wheelchairs and Buggies? Yes.
Free Experiences In Chelmsford
The best days out near Chelmsford can be affordable without compromising on the fun-factor. Many free experiences are available near Chelmsford, Essex that will excite and captivate your kids.
Chelmsford Cathedral
Whether you want to appreciate this Essex Cathedral's architecture, artwork or participate in private prayer, visiting Chelmsford Cathedral is always a peaceful experience. Car parks nearby are Waterloo Lane, High Chelmer and Bond Street, with various options for food within walking distance.
They have disabled toilets and baby changing facilities. The church asks for visitors to wear face masks within the building and will be working in line with government guidelines.
Where Is It? Chelmsford Cathedral, New St, Chelmsford CM1 1TY.
Is It Accessible For Wheelchairs And Buggies? Yes.
Chelmsford Central Park
Experience the leafy side of Chelmsford at Chelmsford central park. This park is a lovely green space to visit with a cafe and plenty of space to maintain social distancing.
They are currently open with the cafe only offering takeaway options in line with government guidelines. There have disabled toilets and baby changing facilities on site. Waterhouse Lane car park and High Chelmer car park are both within walking distance.
Where Is It? CM2 0RW, very close to the centre of Chelmsford.
Is It Accessible For Wheelchairs And Buggies? Yes.
Hylands Estate
There is a lot to experience at the Hylands Estate. The house, stables, adventure playground have enough to occupy your entire day and enough green space to relax. After you finish exploring, the Stables Cafe offers hot and cold drinks and food.
Free parking is available. Disabled toilets and baby changing facilities are also available. They are re-opening various aspects of the estate in line with government guidelines, it is best to check ahead to see what is on offer.
Where Is It? Chelmsford, CM1 1GD, England.
Is It Accessible For Wheelchairs And Buggies? Yes.
Admirals Park and Tower Gardens
Admirals park is huge at 30 hectares and has a lot to offer on a day out with tennis courts, cricket and football pitches. Or, you can visit and stroll along the wooded walking track.
Admirals park is also the site of Chelmsford beer festival! They have a free car park and disabled toilets, but no baby changing facilities. Currently, they are open to visitors but asking people to remain consistent with social distancing measures.
The Black Bull is a great pub for families just across Rainsford Road, opposite the park. After a day at the park, dinner at this family-owned pub will go down a treat.
They only take card payments and social distancing measures are in place within the pub. The Black Bull is also accessible for wheelchairs and has baby changing facilities.
Where Is It? Rainsford Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 2PL.
Is It Accessible For Wheelchairs And Buggies? Yes.
Essex East England United Kingdom Chelmsford England
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in Philosophy, Religion, and Ethics
Katie UnnithanBachelor of Arts specializing in Philosophy, Religion, and Ethics
Having been born in San Francisco and raised in Cheshire, Katie has a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics from the University of Birmingham. She has a passion for exploring new places in the UK, training with her university athletics club, and spending quality time with her 10-year-old sister. She is dedicated to promoting social justice and environmental issues and strives to eliminate inequalities that restrict young people from achieving their goals and aspirations.
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2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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