You've an hour or two to wile away before you sit down to an award-winning meal in the Samphire Restaurant; a 5-minute walk down Duke Street takes you to the City's pretty Shire Hall and tiny flint-studded cathedral. Discover the secret heart of Essex...
Staying at the County Hotel in Chelmsford you are just a couple of minutes’ walk from the centre of this historic county town and less than 5 minutes’ walk from Chelmsford train station. Chelmsford was granted city status by The Queen in 2012 and lays claim to the second smallest cathedral in England. Beautifully restored Hylands House and Park, just to the west of the city, is open to the public throughout the year.
The County Hotel offers you bright, contemporary rooms with free Wi-Fi and HD TV. Fully air-conditioned Premium rooms are luxurious in style and extra spacious – both sitting and work areas feature. Dining in the hotel’s acclaimed Samphire Restaurant, you can enjoy modern European dishes topped off with freshly brewed coffee and petit fours. Or perhaps you’d prefer a scrumptious afternoon tea on the south-facing terrace?
Essex County Cricket Club and Great Leighs Racecourse are among the many attractions at your doorstep. Bond Street Chelmsford is the shopping destination within walking distance; Lakeside and Bluewater are within 30 minutes’ drive. You can reach London Liverpool Street in 32 minutes – a direct route from Chelmsford train station. Once known as the ‘market-place of Caesar’ (the Romans arrived here in 60 AD), discover the secret heart of Essex for yourself.
We say: These rooms are small but perfectly formed for one person. They’re great value for a night away: Contemporary style en suite bedroom, 161 sqf, offering free Wi-Fi, satellite TV (HD, Freeview), digital radio, iPod docking station, laptop safe, writing desk, direct dial telephone, alarm clock, ironing station, tea and coffee making facilities, toiletries, hairdryer, and key card access. Single bed. Accessible? These rooms are split between the first and second floors, which are accessible by lift. Single rooms have showers only.
We say: These rooms are comfortable and well-equipped. They have both work and seating areas: Contemporary style en suite bedroom, 194 sqf, offering free Wi-Fi, satellite TV (HD, Freeview), digital radio, iPod docking station, laptop safe, writing desk, direct dial telephone, alarm clock, ironing station, tea and coffee making facilities, toiletries, hairdryer, and key card access. Double bed. Accessible? These rooms are split between the first and second floors, which are accessible by lift. Standard rooms have a bath and a shower; many walk-in. Some rooms include amenities such as grab rails and pull cords.
We say: These rooms are comfortable and well-equipped. They have both work and seating areas: Contemporary style en suite bedroom, 194 sqf, offering free Wi-Fi, satellite TV (HD, Freeview), digital radio, iPod docking station, laptop safe, writing desk, direct dial telephone, alarm clock, ironing station, tea and coffee making facilities, toiletries, hairdryer, and key card access. Twin beds. Accessible? These rooms are split between the first and second floors, which are accessible by lift. Standard rooms have a bath and a shower; many walk-in. Some rooms include amenities such as grab rails and pull cords.
We say: These rooms are spacious and airy, offering a high level of comfort and style. Enhanced amenities feature in premium rooms: Contemporary style en suite bedroom, 269 sqf, offering free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, satellite TV (HD, Freeview), DVD player, digital radio, iPod docking station, mini bar (charged; stocked on request), laptop safe, writing desk, direct dial telephone, alarm clock, ironing station, tea and fresh coffee making facilities, biscuits, nibbles, bowl of fruit, jug of milk, mineral water, bathrobes, toiletries, hairdryer, and key card access. King-size bed. Accessible? These rooms are split between the first and second floors, which are accessible by lift. Premium rooms have a bath and a shower, most of which are walk-in.
We say: These rooms are spacious and airy, offering a high level of comfort and style. Enhanced amenities feature in premium rooms: Contemporary style en suite bedroom, 269 sqf, offering free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, satellite TV (HD, Freeview), DVD player, digital radio, iPod docking station, mini bar (charged; stocked on request), laptop safe, writing desk, direct dial telephone, alarm clock, ironing station, tea and fresh coffee making facilities, biscuits, nibbles, bowl of fruit, jug of milk, mineral water, bathrobes, toiletries, hairdryer, and key card access. Twin beds. Accessible? These rooms are split between the first and second floors, which are accessible by lift. Premium rooms have a bath and a shower, most of which are walk-in.
We say: The best room in the house - two interconnecting areas: the first consists of a king-size bedroom with fitted wardrobes and a large en suite bathroom. The second includes a reception area and a lounge with a sofa bed. Contemporary style suite, 328 sqf, offering free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, satellite TV (HD, Freeview), DVD player, digital radio, iPod docking station, mini bar (charged; stocked on request), laptop safe, writing desk, direct dial telephone, alarm clock, ironing station, tea and fresh coffee making facilities, biscuits, nibbles, bowl of fruit, jug of milk, mineral water, bathrobes, toiletries, hairdryer, and key card access. Separate seating area. King-size bed. Accessible? This room is on the first floor and features an accessible entrance, a bath and a walk-in shower.
The acclaimed Samphire Restaurant serves up an elegant fine dining experience. With its oak floors and summery pastel hues, it is the perfect place to enjoy uncomplicated European cooking in a modern style. Using only the best of British seasonal ingredients, and where ever possible locally sourced produce. Start with carpaccio of beef fillet with rocket, shaved parmesan, pine nuts and truffle oil. Mains might bring roasted rack of Essex salt marsh lamb and confit shoulder croquette, with potato dauphinoise, sprouting broccoli and red currant jus. For dessert, perhaps you'd prefer salted caramel chocolate fondant with pistachio ice cream and toasted cocoa nibs, or the best-loved warm raspberry Bakewell tart. Discover Samphire's signature selection of wines available by the glass, too; the Godello grape, under its white wines, is our firm favourite.
Please reserve a table for dinner in advance.
In the summer, dining at the County Hotel reveals an altogether different flavour. Take a seat in the fresh open air – sunny or shade – and dine al fresco. The lounge bar opens out onto the south-facing terrace where you can enjoy a chilled glass of signature white wine from Monterrei, in north-west Spain, with Continental meats, olives, cheeses, chutney and toasted sourdough bread.
Don’t miss the opportunity to indulge in afternoon tea whilst staying in this glorious setting - savour homemade scones with fruit preserve and cream, sandwiches, cakes and a pot of tea. Both traditional afternoon tea and champagne afternoon tea are available to order and can be enjoyed in the Samphire Restaurant or lounge bar. Afternoon tea can be booked in advance at a special price when booking your room via classicbritishhotels.com.
The unique surroundings of the County Hotel present a wonderful setting for private dinners and celebrations. The hotel caters for reunions, anniversaries, family gatherings, birthday parties, charity and club events, and business dinners. Call Classic British Hotels on 0844 967 0984 for advice and let us help you organise a memorable private dinner.
Rainsford Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 2PZ, Great Britain
RHS Garden Hyde Hall is a horticultural gem in the heart of Essex with the rolling hills as a backdrop. The 360-acre estate is constantly evolving – major strategic investment over the next couple of years will see the installation of a new winter garden, global growth vegetable garden, big sky meadow, a state-of-the-art learning centre, and a redesigned visitor centre. Hyde Hall comprises numerous garden areas, but it is famed for its iconic dry garden – a Mediterranean-style outcrop that showcases drought-tolerant plants and is home to more than 400 different species.
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