Chelmsford was founded as a market town in 1199 by King John and today there's still plenty for tourists to enjoy.
Like many towns in Britain the car has been banished from the main town centre, so the pedestrian area allows visitors to wander around.Try to stop in the town on a Thursday to catch the weekly antiques and secondhand goods market.
Also check out the 15th century cathedral which hosts an annual music festival and make some time to stop by some of the picturesque villages within the area. Chignall St. James and Chignall Smealey have cottages with traditional Essex plasterwork while Pleshey boasts beautiful thatched cottages.
Near the city and situated in acres of parkland is Hylands House, a popular venue for concerts.
