Need alternative plans for sightseeing near Chelmsford, England

First of all, sorry to hear about your friend's health incident. Wishing her a speedy and complete recovery.

Are you asking about lodging recommendations in Chelmsford itself? Or recommendations for other towns in the area that would be interesting to visit during your 4-day stay? Or both?

For the latter, I was thinking of Saffron Walden and Cambridge, but according to Rome2Rio you have to go back into London and change trains to go there, so it's more than 2 hours each way. OTOH, without returning to London you can visit Colchester, Ipswich, and Bury St Edmunds by train.

Cursed Rome to Rio again.

Go to Ipswich and get a direct train to Cambridge from there- about 2 1/2 hours. Or the horse racing town of Newmarket on the way.

Norwich is only 1 hour 20 away. Lots of lovely places to go to on the Suffolk Coast- take the coastal train to Lowestoft from Ipswich.

You've got Sudbury 45 minutes away. Harwich and even Felixstowe.

In the other direction (changing at Shenfield) there is Southend only an hour away, and places like Burnham on Crouch.

Coastal towns like Clacton and Walton a short distance away. Lots of very attractive options by train to look at.

You're on the verge of Constable Country- John Constable, the painter, lots of villages and towns little changed from his town.

Benjamin Britten and Aldeburgh as well.

So much, so much variety in easy reach.

The X30 bus takes you right to Stansted-
https://www.firstbus.co.uk/uploads/maps/X30%20Southend%20-%20Stansted%20Airport%20T.pdf

yet again Rome 2 Rio has dropped a clanger.

While in and out of London Liverpool Street (or Liverpool Street, tube, Kings Cross) is certainly possible it is by no means necessarily the best option.

Every hour, just a couple of minutes after the hour, there is a train to Ipswich - an interesting town in its own right, plenty to do on the Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex coast - from whence there is a direct train to Cambridge. In fact, if you are keen to visit the Isle of Ely with its tremendous lantern cathedral, changing at Ipswich and Ely to Cambridge can be done several times and hour.

Don't take R2R at face value.

Sorry for your friend, Chris, and sorry for the disruption to your plans. I hope that she recovers fully and quickly.

Thanks to all for your help. I am hoping for my friend's recovery as we have been long-distance friends for 58 years and would very much like to see each other again before our travel years come to a close.

Hi Chris,

I have a brother living just a few miles from Chelmsford. (Chelmsford is not a particularly interesting or attractive town). I would also suggest you stay in Cambridge and do day trips. Ely is the next station up from Cambridge. (15 mins). You can walk to Ely Cathedral from the station. Have lunch at the Almonry Restaurant that sits behind the cathedral and walk down to the river before heading back to the Station. (3- 4 mile route).

In Cambridge, take a punt up the river (No booking needed), and enjoy looking at all the beautiful colleges. There is a small market on most days and interesting stores. Lots of bicycles and students, but it is still very nice and walkable. Cambridge will be easy for your flight from Stansted.

I would hesitate about going in the Colchester/Ipswich direction. The cities have lost spark over the years and the countryside around, while lovely, will need you to rent a car.

Margaret

if you are looking to explore an English Heritage property then go to Audley End House and Gardens, Near Saffron Walden is very nice. You can take the train from Cambridge to Audley End and then take a taxi the short distance to the house. (walking to it is on a busy highway).