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Central Park

33 ha

📷 Robin Webster · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

FamilyBirdsPicnic
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome33 ha

Getting here

51.73293, 0.46348

Open directionsv
Google Maps↗Driving directionsApple Maps↗Driving directionsWaze↗Live driving navigationGoogle Transit↗Bus, rail or tramApple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦63+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Woodpigeon and Blue Tit
  • ☀️Summer family visits work well here — arrive early and plan for a longer stay
  • ☕Cake at the Lake — makes this an easy full-day family visit without needing to pack food

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
CaféParking· PaidPicnic spotPlaygroundToilets

Best for

11 activities

Family friendly

playground, café, toilets, picnic area; Urban park — family destination

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, Magpie +60 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland — woodpeckers, warblers and woodland birds

Free

Picnic day out

picnic area, café, toilets, car park; Urban park — open green space

Free

Playgrounds

playground, toilets, café, parking

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, Magpie +60 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland priority habitat

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Migrant Hawker, Banded Demoiselle, Jersey Tiger +52 more · last seen 2026

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

7 signed routes nearby · 25 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Centenary CircleWalking route34 km
Named routeLength 34 kmRound tripRegional walking route
Pleasure Gardens WalkWalking route
Named route
Repton's WalkWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Hylands Estate Boundary WalkWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Hylands Lower Estate WalkWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Mill Yard Gatewaypublic footpath · 19 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 19 mPath type: footway
Shire Passagepublic footpath · 4 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 4 mSurface paving_stonesPath type: footway
Crown Passagepublic footpath · 26 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 26 mSurface paving_stonesPath type: footway
🚴

Cycling

71 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
EuroVelo 2 - Capitals Route - part United Kingdom 7Cycling route
Named routeRef EV2International cycle route
Great Waltham to City Centre Cycle RouteCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
NCN National Route 13Cycling route
Named routeRef 13National Cycle Network
NCN National Route 1Cycling route
Named routeRef 1National Cycle Network
Main RouteCycling route801 m
Named routeRef 13Length 801 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route420 m
Named routeRef 1Length 420 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Chelmsford Central Park and viaduct, 1972

📷 Robin Webster · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Chelmsford Central Park and viaduct, 1972

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱West ParkUrban park1 km→🌱Hylands ParkUrban park3 km→✦HYLANDS PARKHistoric site3 km→🌱Chelmer ParkUrban park3 km→🌱Central ParkUrban park100 m→🌱Frank Whitmore GreenUrban park300 m→