Oaklands Park
🏟 Playground & park · Moulsham, Chelmsford
Oaklands Park
An award-winning 12-acre park in Chelmsford's historic quarter with children's play areas, the Museum of Chelmsford, a cafe and ornamental gardens.
🕑 Opening & entry
🌱 Opens at 7:30am daily; closing times vary seasonally from 5pm to 10pm. No out-of-hours access. · Free · No booking needed
📍 Location & directions
🗺️ Show map ▾
Address: Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 9AQ
Plus Code: 9F32PFF6+3G
About Oaklands Park
Oaklands Park is an established, award-winning park covering around 5 hectares (12 acres) within the historic quarter of Chelmsford, run free of charge by Chelmsford City Council. First opened as a public park in 1930, it holds both Green Flag and Green Heritage status in recognition of its quality and its historic landscape. The grounds surround the Museum of Chelmsford, housed in a Victorian villa, and are home to The Hive Cafe, making the park a natural stop for a half-day out. Families are well served with children's play areas and a kickabout zone, while tennis courts and a multi-sports area cater for older children and adults. The park is known for its ornamental planting, including a beautiful rose garden and the award-winning Echo Garden, alongside picnic spaces and public art installations. Mature trees and landscaped lawns give it a settled, heritage feel close to the city centre and the River Can. A car park with disabled bays serves visitors, and the park opens at 7:30am each day with seasonal closing times, so it suits an easy, free family visit that can be combined with the free museum next door.
⭐ What makes this place special
- Museum of Chelmsford
- The Hive Cafe
- tennis courts
- multi-sports area
- award-winning Echo Garden
- ornamental gardens
🏞 Facilities
- Free entry
- Parking: Yes – 52 standard spaces and 4 disabled spaces; parking restrictions apply.
- Toilets on site
- Café / refreshments
- Accessibility: Good walking and cycling access, with disabled parking available.
🧒 Ages & play
- children's play areas
- kickabout area
📍 Nearby places to play
- Central Park · approx 0.6 miles · City Centre
- Admirals Park · approx 1.2 miles · Waterhouse Farm
- Chelmer Park · approx 1.3 miles · Great Baddow
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❓ Frequently asked questions
Is Oaklands Park free to visit?
Yes. Oaklands Park is a public park run by Chelmsford City Council and entry is completely free, as is the Museum of Chelmsford in the grounds.
Is there a children's play area at Oaklands Park?
Yes. Oaklands Park has children's play areas and a kickabout zone, plus tennis courts and a multi-sports area.
What are the opening times for Oaklands Park?
The park opens at 7:30am daily, with closing times that vary seasonally from 5pm to 10pm. There is no out-of-hours access.
Is there a cafe and museum at Oaklands Park?
Yes. The Hive Cafe and the Museum of Chelmsford are both located within the park grounds.
Is there parking at Oaklands Park?
Yes. There are 52 standard spaces and 4 disabled spaces, and parking restrictions apply.