Chelmsford
Credited as the "birthplace of radio", Chelmsford has a large number of people who travel to work in the City of London financial sector.
The continuing importance of Chelmsford as an employment centre is demonstrated by the fact that the number of "in" commuters, mostly from other parts of Essex, almost exactly balances the number of workers commuting into London.
At a distance of roughly 32 miles northeast of Charing Cross, London, and approximately the same distance from Colchester.
As well as the headquarters of Essex County and Chelmsford Borough Councils, the modern town is also home to a range of national and international companies.
Shopping in Chelmsford is always a varied and rewarding experience, as it offers two main shopping centres, High Chelmer and The Meadows, as well as two retail parks, Riverside and Chelmer Village.
The High Street is full of both independent retail boutiques and high street name chain stores.
For the more discerning shopper there is also a wide variety of specialist retailers, especially in Baddow Road and Moulsham Street which are located at the end of the pedestrianised High Street.
Chelmsford has a vibrant night life scene with many nightclubs, pubs, wine bars and restaurants in the town centre area. Its central Essex location and good public transport links make the town ideal for revelers to visit from surrounding areas.
The town is surrounded by many small villages like Galleywood, Danbury, Writtle, Good and High Easter, Roxwell, Mashbury, Chignal Smealy, Little Baddow, Great and Little Waltham, Howe Street, Pleshey and Bicknacre.
Services from Chelmsford are operated to London Liverpool Street and Ipswich, Clacton, Harwich, Braintree and Norwich. Despite having platforms elevated on a viaduct, the station has full disabled access via a lift for each of the two platforms and as well as stair access.
Chelmsford also has a Park & Ride service that is based at nearby Sandon, just off the A12 at Junction 18. It runs from 7 am to 7 pm, Monday to Saturday with five bus stops around the town (one near High Chelmer for shopping).
