With the London Olympics 2012 fast approaching, Chelmsford is busy preparing for a once in a lifetime experience. Forget the Football World Cup, for three weeks next summer, the ‘Greatest Show on Earth' will literally be on the town's doorstep and the people of Chelmsford & Essex have a chance to be part of it.
With the main Olympic Stadium less than thirty minutes away from Chelmsford by train, most of the sporting world will be focussed on Stratford in East London. However, Essex will be playing their part to as Hadleigh Farm in Benfleet has been awarded the exciting sport of Mountain Biking. With tickets starting from just £20, and it being easily accessible straight down the A130, this is the best chance for the people of Chelmsford to become part of history.
In regards to the role that Chelmsford will be playing in the Olympics, there are two main areas that the town will be at the forefront of when it comes to London 2012. Firstly, several of the local sporting facilities have been designated as Olympic pre-games training sites for a wide range of sports from Archery all the way across the spectrum to Wrestling. Secondly, with Chelmsford being so well placed in relation to London, travel and tourism will play a major part in the town getting involved in 2012.
In total, there are eighteen venues in Essex that have been accepted as Olympic pre-games training sites, six of which are based right here in Chelmsford.
The two main sports centres in Chelmsford, Riverside Ice & Leisure & Chelmsford Sports & Athletics Centre, will be offering training facilities for such sports as Athletics, Fencing, Martial Arts, Gymnastics, Trampolining, & Wrestling. They will also be offering training facilities for Paralympic Games athletes in Boccia, Athletics, Wheelchair Fencing, & Goalball.
A few miles further a field, other Olympic pre-games training venues in Essex include, Five Lakes Hotel Golf and Country Club in Maldon for Football, Unex Towerlands in Braintree which is a world renown equestrian centre, the highly regarded Felsted Private School as a centre for Archery, and the newly built Harlow LeisureZone, which will cater for a multitude of Olympic and Paralympic sports.
Chelmsford Hotels, Guest Houses, & Accommodation for London 2012
As mentioned previously, the location of Chelmsford in relation to the Olympic Stadium in East London makes the town a perfect base for visitors from not just all over the UK, but from anywhere in the world. A short train journey of less than 30 minutes will take you directly into Stratford station which is adjacent to the Olympic Park and connects to the Docklands Light Railway for the Excel Centre, home to seven Olympic events, including the always popular Boxing.
In addition, there will also be trains into London Liverpool Street station where you will be able to connect with London Underground for venues such as Lords Cricket Ground for the Archery, Horse Guards Parade for the Beach Volleyball, and the world famous Wembley Stadium for Football. You will also be able to catch either a Central Line or Circle Line train to other London railway stations on your way to other venues such as the Weymouth for the Sailing or Henley for the Rowing.
Therefore, taking into account the excellent transport links and thousands of visitors from across the globe descending on London 2012, Chelmsford will be a most desirable place for many spectators to be based. Fortunately, the town and its surrounding area is blessed with several hotels, guest houses, and bed & breakfast accommodation, which are all ideal for these visitors.
For those looking for high quality accommodation then Pontlands Park Hotel would be an obvious choice. Located just outside Chelmsford, it is one of the best hotels in the area and noted for its outstanding service and superb food. For those days when you fancy a break from all the excitement of the Olympics and a little bit of leisure time, it also has an indoor pool, gym, sauna & spa facilities, plus a delightful golf course.
If you are on a budget, then there are a number of hotels in Chelmsford to suit your pocket. Hotel chains Premier Inn, Best Western & Travelodge all have properties within Chelmsford and offer a good standard of accommodation and service at a reasonable price. Alternatively, local independents such as the County Hotel and the strangely named Miami Hotel both have good reputations in the area and would make an ideal base for the Olympic traveller.
Chelmsford Olympic Events
In celebration of being designated as an Olympic County, Essex will be hosting several events, of which Chelmsford will play a major part. In the lead up to the Games, there will be a number of Olympic Walks supported by the London 2012 Inspire Programme. The Chelmsford ‘Walk Your Way to the Games' events will be taking place over varying distances from location including Galleywood, Hylands Park, Admirals Park, Anglia Ruskin University, Riverside Ice & Leisure Centre and Moulsham Mill. All those taking part and completing the course will receive a commemorative medal.
Chelmsford Borough Council is also planning a number of Olympic Games celebration events including an ambitious large scale festival in Hylands Park in July 2012. This event, just a week before the London 2012 Opening Ceremony, will combine the very best of Essex culture, music & fireworks. It is expected to be attended by thousands of Essex residents and visitors to the area from all over the world. In addition, annual events such as The 3foot People Festival, Essex streetdiversions & The Fling are all expected to get into the spirit and adopt a strong Olympic flavour in 2012.
Could the Olympic Flame come to Chelmsford?
With the promise by the Chairman of The London Olympics 2012 Organising Committee, Lord Coe, that 95% of the population of Great Britain will be within one hour of the Olympic Flame relay route, there is a good chance that it may actually come to Chelmsford.
With the relay taking 65 days and travelling 135 miles each day, Chelmsford has put in a bid to host one of the lunchtime stopover events, or one of the more high profile and prestigious evening celebrations. Colchester has also thrown their hat into the ring, but with the flame only spending three days in the East of England, its all to play for.
Chelmsford councillor Ray Ride, who is responsible for Leisure and Culture said last year that, "We agreed to make an initial bid to have one of the torch relays in Chelmsford. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and the chance to showcase Chelmsford to a national audience." Mr Ride went on to say that they would now wait optimistically for the final decision, which is due in mid 2011.
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