The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

UK

The Best Things to Do in Chelmsford

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Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC BY-SA 3.0

Thanks to a certain television programme, we are all familiar with the county of Essex, but how much do you know about Chelmsford? The only city in the county, Chelmsford has a great deal to offer – Stage Security have compiled a list of some of the best things you can do there.

Just a 35-minute train ride from London, there’s plenty to explore in Chelmsford, and if it’s events you’re looking for, you won’t be disappointed.

Go Green

For lovers of nature, the Grade II listed neo-classical Hylands Estate will be a big hit, with its stunning landscaped gardens, fairs, festivals, café, ancient woodlands and Adventure Playground.

Place Your Bets

Race-goers can attend Chelmsford City Racecourse, one of the country’s newest racecourses and one of only three to be floodlit. Whatever the weather, there’s always an exciting race on, and you can enjoy a lively atmosphere at two on-site restaurants and many bars. The city’s annual beer festival also takes place here – cheers!

Family Fun

Jump Street (not associated with the films) is a large indoor activity centre guaranteed to entertain the whole family. With more than 300 trampolines, 4000 sq ft of soft play area and the world’s largest Clip and Climb centre, expect little ones to be tired out! Great family fun for when it’s wet outside!

Spend Spend Spend

If you’re looking for some retail therapy, High Chelmer is the place for you. The largest shopping centre in the city, High Chelmer is home to more than 80 high-street favourites including Topshop, Pandora and SuperDry. When you’re all shopped out, grab a bite to eat at Turtle Bay, Carluccios or Cote Brasserie.

Catch a Show

If you’re a fan of the theatre, you’re in for a treat! The Civic Theatre offers fabulous views from every seat and provides an incredibly immersive experience. It’s the city’s largest theatre, with audiences of more than 500 and an array of productions. With everything from drama and comedy to musicals and talks about famous figures, there’s something for everyone. The city’s oldest theatre is the Old Court Theatre, which provides a more cosy, intimate atmosphere with shows the whole family can enjoy at a reasonable price.

Stroll Back in Time

Why not enjoy a stroll around Chelmsford Cathedral, one of the city’s most iconic buildings? With over 800 years of rich history, the cathedral is the third smallest in the country and provides a picturesque backdrop for an autumnal walk.

At Stage Security, we’re big fans of this city and all it has to offer. If you are interested in the Chelmsford security services we can provide in the area, visit our website for more information.

How Scottish Landscapes Are Revolutionised On-Screen

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Throughout the UK there have been a great many locations which have been chosen for film or TV because of their perfect scene-setting landscapes. Very often we know these places very well but when you actually see them on-screen, they can appear very differently indeed.

In line with the campaign that our partners PCA Predict are running around how locations around the UK have been altered to look amazing on-screen, we want to take a look today and Scotland and the locations which have been selected for the silver screen, which look in stark contrast to the places that we know and love.

Glenfinnan Viaduct, Lochaber

A beautiful viaduct set in the heart of Fort William in northern Scotland, was transformed into a magical and fantasy thoroughfare for the Hogwarts Express in the widely acclaimed Harry Potter. This viaduct was built in 1901 and trains still ride over it, and you can too during your time in Fort William.

Glen Etive near Glencoe

It doesn’t get more British on film than James Bond and throughout the years there have been a huge amount of locations around the isles which have been used for many of James’ daring missions. In Daniel Criag’s third instalment of the popular spy franchise, Skyfall, there is a scene towards the end of the movie when Bond and his boss M, are escaping a madman and reach the wild landscapes of Bond’s family home, Scotland. This route through Glencoe is spectacular for sure, but the additions which the directors and cameramen have made to the scenery is simply breathtaking.

Calanais Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis

Disney may only be animation but that doesn’t stop them from being inspired by some of the beautiful natural landscapes which the British Isles have to offer. In the recent film Brave, the standing stones which are often seen were inspired by the Calanais Stones on the Isle of Lewis, a fascinating network of neolithic stones whose origins are largely unknown.

Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin

Not far from Edinburgh you’ll find this spectacular chapel in Roslin which was the very same chapel which you will have seen in the widely acclaimed The Da Vinci Code, starring Tom Hanks. Naturally the interior of the chapel has been embellished on-screen to add to the tense drama but the chapel itself is absolutely stunning, even prior to the exaggeration. Inside the chapel you can find engravings of angels playing bagpipes and people dancing with death, the clarity of these images have aged over time but on-screen they look absolutely magical.

Glen Nevis

The Glen Nevis mountains and the nearby landscape was heavily used during the filming of the iconic tale Braveheart. Once again, this is most certainly a beautiful corner of the world, but on-screen some artistic license was taken to make this place look even more wild, and even more rugged.

Do you know any filming locations near you? Let us know how they looked when you saw them on-screen we’d love to hear from you.