Let’s first talk about Chelmsford and then, we will explore the best parking spots there, both free and paid.
Chelmsford is a medium-sized city in Essex County, located between Colchester and London. It has a population of 181,000 people. It is located at the confluence of the cute little river Can and the river Chelmer, which means there are some beautiful walks to be had, as well as numerous bridges and hundreds of acres of incredible parkland. It is truly a must-see for nature lovers.
Chelmsford is considered to be in the ‘London commuter belt,’ as it is only an hour and a half, or a 40-mile drive, from Charing Cross train station in central London. As a result, it is an excellent option for those seeking high London wages without the stress of living there.
Chelmsford has three stunning Victorian railway viaducts and was first connected to the rail network in 1842. Today, the station is extremely busy, with 14,000 commuters traveling to and from London every day. Although it appears to be very modern from the outside, standing on its platforms reveals the classic Victorian metalwork and roofing.
Sir Geoff Hurst was born in Chelmsford, and every local will tell you with pride how he scored a hat-trick against West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final, which England won. Guglielmo Marconi, the inventor of the wireless radio, was also born in Italy. He established the first wireless radio factory in Chelmsford in 1899, which eventually revolutionized global communication.
Chelmsford is now regarded as one of the healthiest cities in the United Kingdom, with a plethora of tourist attractions. If you go, you must see the Anglican cathedral, which was completed in 1520. There are numerous parks, as well as the incredible ‘Radical Bikes’ BMX track if you enjoy extreme sports. There is also plenty of family entertainment, such as the White Elm Garden Centre & Tea Room, where you and your family can see various farm animals. There are several museums and art galleries, a zoo, and the Mace Playce soft land kids play center, which has an excellent, low-cost restaurant.
Chelmsford is a lovely little city with a nice mix of modern and historic architecture and a really upbeat atmosphere. Despite the fact that it is a busy city, there are plenty of good free residential parking options as well as paid options in the city center.
Please scroll down to find the perfect parking spot for you.
Important Note:
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Please ensure that you park your vehicle safely and responsibly every time, making sure to adhere to local parking rules, signs, and regulations.
Free Parking in Chelmsford
Free, unrestricted residential street parking
Have you thought about free residential street parking? It could be a really convenient parking option, especially if you are tired from a long drive. The walk to the center will provide you with a much better sense of the city’s layout, and we have listed all of the parking spots below, depending on which direction you will be driving in from. We have also done our research and discovered a number of interesting attractions that you might want to visit on your way to the center.
Please remember to be courteous and follow the rules when parking on the street. Nobody wants to hear your music or late-night conversations. It is not illegal to park on residential streets for free, but you must be courteous. If someone has posted a sign asking you not to park there, there must be a reason, and you should look for another location. Do not block anyone’s driveway or park too close to another person’s vehicle. Using free residential street parking is at your own risk, so if something does not feel right, trust your instincts and go somewhere else. The following addresses include the distances to the railway station.
East
If you are coming from the east, such as Maldon or Colchester, you can visit the Holy Trinity C of E church and take a short detour along the banks of the peaceful river Chelmer. There is also the Meadowlands Shopping Centre if you need a coffee or something to eat on your way to the center.
- Shrublands Close CM2 6LR – 0.6 miles
- Jeffcut Road CM2 6XN – 1.3 miles
South
Are you coming up from Southend-on-Sea? There are a few good parking options nearby that will take you past the Essex County Cricket Ground and Central Park. It has a fantastically designed children’s play area, as well as some old stone bridges and the aforementioned Victorian viaduct, all of which will leave you speechless. There is a great museum along the way, as well as the tow path along the Cam River, which is also worth seeing.
- Meadgate Avenue CM2 7ND – 1.2 miles
- Longstomps Avenue CM2 9BY – 1.4 miles
- Hillside Grove CM2 9DA – 1.5 miles
West
If you are coming from London or Luton, there are more free residential parking options in Chelmsford’s west end. As you cross the Cam, you will once again pass through Central Park, and you can even stop for a quick game of golf at the pitch and putt. Admirals Park and Tower Gardens are both highly recommended. The flower beds and overall design are stunning.
- Epping Close CM1 2TH – 1.1 miles
- Forest Drive CM1 2TR – 1 mile
- Park Avenue (North) CM1 2AE – 0.8 miles
- Avon Road CM1 2JX – 1.5 miles
- Warwick Square CM1 2AJ – 0.8 miles
Free after 6pm/overnight streetside parking
Feel free to take advantage of these free parking options after 6 p.m., but make sure you leave by 08:00 the next day, or you will have to purchase a parking ticket.
- Railway Street CM1 1QS – 0.1 miles
- Coval Lane CM1 1TG – 0.3 miles
- Victoria Road CM1 1QU – 0.2 miles
Dave Evans & Gerhard Dippenaar Parkingscout.co.uk Chelmsford Version 1.0
- Rainsford Road CM1 2XB – 0.3 miles
- Cedar Avenue CM1 2WW – 0.3 miles
Park and Ride Services
- Chelmer Valley Park and Ride CM3 3PR – north of Chelmsford
- Sandon Park & Ride Car Park CM2 7RU – east of Chelmsford
Cheapest Paid Car Parks
If you are concerned about safety, there are always paid parking options available. These are more convenient for the disabled, the elderly, or those who do not have time to walk in and out of the city for 20-30 minutes.
- Meadows Retail CM2 6LU – £1.80 for 2 hours
- The Granary car park (ANPR) CM1 1AN – £2.00 for 2 hours
- Rectory Lane East CM1 1RH – £2.00 for 2 hours
- Rectory Lane West CM1 1RN – £2.00 for 2 hours
- West End CM1 1QS – £2.00 for 2 hours
- Coval Lane Long Stay Car Park CM1 1TG – £2.00 for 2 hours
- Moulsham Street Car Park CM2 0LD – £2.00 for 2 hours
Free short-term parking (2h or less)
We love free parking! Feel free to use these commercial options if you only need to pay a short visit to the city, but keep in mind that you must leave before your two hours are up; there are cameras and barriers, and there will be penalties if you do not.
- Riverside Retail Park CM1 1AN
- Chelmer Village Retail Park CM2 6XE
- Tesco Superstore CM2 9XW
- Coronation Park Car Park CM2 6AF
- Homelands Retail Park CM2 5PX
- Asda Superstore CM2 6RU
- Tesco Superstore CM2 6QT
