Chelmsford has been named among the UK’s best places to live for 2027.
The Essex city was included in Muddy Stilettos’ list of the UK’s Top 260 Best Places to Live, published in late October.
Published annually, the guide picks out the best places to live in each county and looks at what they offer, from schools, commuting and house prices to where to eat, shop and spend a weekend.
Chelmsford is one of eight places in Essex to make the list, alongside Billericay, Bradwell-on-Sea, Buckhurst Hill, Colchester, Leigh-on-Sea, Manningtree and Saffron Walden.
Why Chelmsford made the list
The guide says the city “offers a bustling high street with big-name shops and indies, excellent transport, hip bars and restaurants and great culture”.
“In short, it’s a superb all-rounder and one of the best places to live if you want everything on your doorstep,” it adds.
It calls Chelmsford “one of Essex’s better shopping destinations”, with John Lewis and a cinema at Bond Street.
For a meal out, it names Galvin Green Man, The Windmill Chatham Green and Pig & Whistle Restaurant, “all serving exceptional cuisine”.
“Green space is one of Chelmsford’s secret weapons,” the guide says.
It picks out Hylands Estate, with “574 acres of parkland and woods for walking, picnicking and generally pretending you own a country estate”.
“For a city, Chelmsford does community pretty well,” it says, pointing to events in Central Park and at Hylands from the Sausage & Cider Festival to the National Flower Show.
“Schools are a major tick in Chelmsford’s box,” according to the guide, which names Chelmsford County High School for Girls and King Edward VI Grammar School.
Its “best kept secret” is that the artist Grayson Perry grew up in Chelmsford.
How much it costs to live in Chelmsford
The average house price in Chelmsford is £411,356, according to the guide.
Semi-detached homes, the most commonly sold type, average £449,125, terraced homes around £373,971 and flats £218,011.
“All-rounder status doesn’t come bargain-basement cheap, but Chelmsford offers plenty of choice,” the guide says.
It calls the city “commuter heaven”, with direct trains to Liverpool Street taking around 35 minutes and annual season tickets from £5,204.
Residents in the north-east of the city can use Beaulieu Park station instead, where it puts season tickets at around £5,384.
What do you think makes Chelmsford a good place to live? Tell us in the comments.
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