Explore Chelmsford on your bike

There is no better excuse to get on your bike than British summertime! Getting out in the open, keeping fit and healthy and having time away from your screens are just a few of the benefits of cycling. To help you on your way, we have put together a list of great cycling routes for you to explore the local area…

Help Chelmsford become greener too by ditching the car and cycling as much as possible – don’t forget your helmet!

The 2021 Tour de France starts on 26 June and you can get into the spirit by cycling somewhere by yourself, with your friends or on a relaxing family outing.

City Centre through to Writtle (via Admirals Park)

This is a beautiful route which starts at Chelmsford’s city centre and follows Central and Admiral Park’s path all the way to Writtle. The path winds its way through the countryside, and you won’t be disappointed on this calming ride. Simply follow the signs to Writtle – you could even go further to Hylands Park and beyond if you wanted!

Arun Close to Admirals Park

You can explore Chelmsford’s local green spaces and scenery on this family friendly route. Starting at Arun Close, Springfield, this path will take you through the Chelmer Valley Local Nature Reserve, through to Riverside Leisure Centre and the city centre until you eventually get to Central and Admirals Park. There are a few benches along the way for a rest and if the weather’s on your side, perhaps enjoy a picnic! Below is a video which will give you step by step guidance on directions.

For the more advanced cyclists…

Why not venture out a little further (weather permitting)?

A great route, suggested by a staff member at the council, is to start from Beaulieu, go past Channels and then onto Domsey Lane before heading out to Terling. You can then travel towards Great Leighs via Fuller Street.

From Great Leighs, you can go through the countryside towards Littley Green & Hartford End before coming across to Pleshey and returning to Chelmsford via the Easters and Chignals. Alternatively, you can drop down south a bit and pick up the route the Tour de France took in 2014 through Howe Street, Great Waltham, Fanners Green and the edge of Melbourne. You can often see numerous birds of prey on these routes!

From Writtle, you will often see herds of deer around Edney Common, before heading south towards Ingatestone via Mill green. Then on towards Stock, taking in the windmill before heading to Hanningfield reservoir. From Hanningfield, you can go on to East Hanningfield and then onto Danbury (taking in the sometimes spooky looking graveyard and tiny chapel at St. Giles on the edge of Bicknacre, which used to be a leper colony) on the way. There’s loads of interesting things to see when out and the views make the tired legs worth it and for most of the rides, you are pretty much in the middle of nowhere and can see nothing but countryside for miles – all within 10 minutes of Chelmsford!

Proposed cycle routes for the future

Three new routes are being consulted for now. The first will connect the railway station with Baddow, the second will improve city centre connections and the third looks to introduce a School Street Zone on Trinity Road. These routes aim to help Chelmsford become a greener place. For more information and to take part in the consultation, go to: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/dc6602f4cec74d43aa476ea471c8a0e4.