Your stay — Puttocks Farm B&B
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Chelmsford.
The Property — Puttocks Farm B&B
Puttocks Farm B&B is a working farm near Chelmsford, offering simple, no-fuss rooms with views of fields and livestock. The vibe is relaxed and rural, a good fit for travellers who want peace and easy access to the Essex countryside rather than city centre buzz. Standing in the lobby – a converted barn with farm tools on the wall and the smell of breakfast cooking – you know exactly what you're getting: honest, unfussy hospitality.
Chronicles of Chelmsford
Chelmsford grew from a Roman settlement, Caesaromagus, into a medieval market town. It became a centre for engineering and electronics in the 20th century, home to Marconi's wireless factory. The city gained cathedral status in 1914 and was granted city status in 2012. Today it blends red-brick Victorian streets with modern developments and a strong commuter culture, its economy tied to finance, law and tech. The pedestrianised High Street and Hylands Estate offer a mix of chain shops and green space.
Best Time to Visit
Full Chelmsford guide →Best months
June, July, August – warmest months with long daylight, good for exploring Essex's countryside and coast. July is peak summer with school holidays.
Peak / festival surge
July is the busiest month due to school summer holidays and the V Festival (usually August) drawing crowds to the area. Hotel prices rise 20–30% above shoulder season; book well in advance.
Budget shoulder season
May and September offer mild weather, thinner crowds and lower rates – often 15–25% cheaper than July. Good for walks around Chelmsford's parks and nearby villages.
Weather & packing
Essex summers are usually warm and dry, but can turn rainy quickly – a lightweight waterproof jacket is essential. Pack layers: mornings and evenings can feel cooler despite midday heat.
Live City Briefing — Chelmsford
- Chelmsford's City Centre East transport improvements continue, with bus lane and cycle route works on Victoria Road expected to be active until late 2026 – allow extra time for road closures and diversions.
- Hylands Estate will host the 2026 Hylands Summer Live series in July, including a major concert weekend (15-16 July) – expect extra traffic and limited parking near the A414.
- The city's new ‘Plaza’ development on Market Road is due to open restaurants and public space by summer 2026, adding fresh dining options.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Puttocks Farm B&B, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Given the B&B is in a semi-rural edge of Chelmsford, request a room at the back of the house on the first floor. This avoids the small car park and any early-morning comings and goings. The first floor (which is one flight up, no lift) tends to be quieter than the ground floor, where the breakfast room can create noise from 7am.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, particularly those near the breakfast room or the front of the house facing the lane. The lane is quiet but the occasional early delivery van or guest car can be heard. Also avoid any room directly above the kitchen if you're a light sleeper.
Best views
The rear of the B&B overlooks fields and a small orchard. Request a room at the back for a green, open view. The front overlooks the lane and a few neighbouring houses — nothing special.
Quietest floors
First floor only (there is no lift and only two floors). This B&B is a converted farmhouse, so the layout is compact; the first floor is your best bet for quiet.
🔊 Noise notes
Chelmsford's main A-road has some distant hum, but Puttocks Farm is set back on a no-through lane. The biggest noise source is the B&B itself: breakfast prep from 7am and other guests moving about. No lift, so no lift machinery noise.
Insider tips
1. Parking is free and on-site, but the car park is small (about 6 spaces). Ask to reserve a spot when booking, especially in summer. 2. The owners live on-site and are flexible with early check-in if notified the day before — ask when you call to confirm.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Puttocks Farm B&B
Free basic WiFi for all guests; speed around 10 Mbps, no login required
No lift; all rooms on first floor accessed by stairs (original 18th-century farmhouse layout)
Complimentary digital PressReader access on shared tablet in lounge; no physical papers
Check-in 15:00–21:00, early bag-drop by arrangement, late check-out by 11:00 costs £20 if available
Free storage before check-in or after check-out, ask at reception
No step-free access to main house; ground-floor breakfast room only; no wheelchair-accessible rooms
Free on-site parking for 8 cars, first-come first-served; nearest public car park is Chelmsford City Council Car Park (Parkway) £7 per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required 14 days before arrival; a £50 incidental card hold taken at check-in
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use high-street banks or Post Office for best rates; avoid airport exchange bureaux (poor rates).
Contactless and chip-and-PIN widely accepted; mobile pay common; some markets or small shops prefer cash.
Round up taxi fares; 10% in restaurants if service not included; optional for hotel porters (£1–2).
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Café chain filter coffee, approx £2.00–2.50.
Supermarket meal deal (sandwich, snack, drink), approx £3.50–4.00.
Pub main (e.g. fish and chips), approx £12–14.
Limited street food; try the market on Tuesdays/Saturdays for stalls, or High Street takeaways.
Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Aldi are common budget supermarkets.
High-street chains in the city centre (e.g. Primark, M&S) and Bond Street market stalls.
Cheapest way around is walking or using First Essex buses day pass (approx £5.00). From Stansted airport, national express coach to Chelmsford is cheapest (approx £8–10).
Buy a railcard if staying longer; shop at Aldi or Tesco for groceries; use student or over-60 discounts if eligible.
Good to know — Chelmsford
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.74 · GBP
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Chelmsford, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Puttocks Farm B&B
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Chelmsford Station → London Liverpool Street
💡 Buy an off-peak return if you're heading to London for the day; it's cheaper than two singles. Avoid the 08:00-09:00 rush hour if you can — trains cram up fast.
London Liverpool Street → Chelmsford Station
💡 Buy an off-peak return if you’re not travelling before 09:30; it halves the cost. Cheaper than a taxi from London by a long way.
Chelmsford Station → Stansted Airport
💡 A taxi to Chelmsford Station costs about £6 from the Holiday Inn Express. The direct train to Stansted is quicker than any airport coach from the city centre. No step-free access at the station though — mind the stairs if you've got heavy luggage.
Chelmsford Bus Station → Stock Road / Greenwoods Hotel
💡 Get the First Bus app for contactless mobile tickets, or pay exact cash. The stop is a 4-minute walk from the hotel gate.
Holiday Inn Express (near Chelmer Village Retail Park) → Chelmsford City Centre (Bus Station)
💡 The bus stop is a 5-minute walk from the hotel — turn right out of the entrance and head to the roundabout. Exact change needed for single fares; get a contactless card for simpler tap-on.
Holiday Inn Express → Stansted Airport
💡 Book at least an hour ahead for airport runs — walk-ups can mean a 20-minute wait. Try 'Chelmsford Airport Cars' for flat-rate pricing. The hotel reception can call one for you.
Stansted Airport → Greenwoods Hotel Spa and Retreat
💡 Pre-book with a company like Chelmsford Cars or Stansted Airport Taxis for a fixed price. Uber can surge to £50+ when flights arrive.
Chelmsford Station → Greenwoods Hotel Spa and Retreat
💡 From the station, walk to the rank outside Marks & Spencer for a black cab – cheaper than Uber for this short run.
About Chelmsford
Wikipedia ↗
Chelmsford () is a city in Essex, England. It is the county town of Essex and one of three cities in the county, along with Colchester and Southend-on-Sea. It is located 31 miles (50 km) north-east of Charing Cross in London, and 22 miles (35 km) south-west of Colchester. At the 2021 census the buil...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Puttocks Farm B&B?
Given the B&B is in a semi-rural edge of Chelmsford, request a room at the back of the house on the first floor. This avoids the small car park and any early-morning comings and goings. The first floor (which is one flight up, no lift) tends to be quieter than the ground floor, where the breakfast room can create noise from 7am.
Which rooms should I avoid at Puttocks Farm B&B?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, particularly those near the breakfast room or the front of the house facing the lane. The lane is quiet but the occasional early delivery van or guest car can be heard. Also avoid any room directly above the kitchen if you're a light sleeper.
Is Puttocks Farm B&B noisy?
Chelmsford's main A-road has some distant hum, but Puttocks Farm is set back on a no-through lane. The biggest noise source is the B&B itself: breakfast prep from 7am and other guests moving about. No lift, so no lift machinery noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Puttocks Farm B&B?
The rear of the B&B overlooks fields and a small orchard. Request a room at the back for a green, open view. The front overlooks the lane and a few neighbouring houses — nothing special.
What are insider tips for staying at Puttocks Farm B&B?
1. Parking is free and on-site, but the car park is small (about 6 spaces). Ask to reserve a spot when booking, especially in summer. 2. The owners live on-site and are flexible with early check-in if notified the day before — ask when you call to confirm.
What time is check-in at Puttocks Farm B&B?
Check-in at Puttocks Farm B&B is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Puttocks Farm B&B have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi for all guests; speed around 10 Mbps, no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Puttocks Farm B&B?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Puttocks Farm B&B?
Supermarket meal deal (sandwich, snack, drink), approx £3.50–4.00.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Puttocks Farm B&B?
Cheapest way around is walking or using First Essex buses day pass (approx £5.00). From Stansted airport, national express coach to Chelmsford is cheapest (approx £8–10).
When is the best time to visit Chelmsford?
June, July, August – warmest months with long daylight, good for exploring Essex's countryside and coast. July is peak summer with school holidays.
Top Attractions in Chelmsford
💡 Go on a Friday for the widest selection, and grab a sausage roll from the Tudor-style stall at the far end—under £3 and made fresh on site.
💡 Look for the 'Tree of Life' tapestry in the Chapel of Unity; free guided tours run on the first Saturday of each month at 11am.
💡 Go on a Saturday morning if you want food options – the Ethiopian stall near the High Street end does a filling veggie platter for £6. Cash is preferred but some stalls take cards. Arrive before 11am for the best produce.
💡 Walk the riverside path toward the canal basin for a quieter stretch; the park cafe does decent coffee but closes by 3pm.
💡 Head to the section between Victoria Road and Parkway – it's less maintained but has good birdlife and quiet spots. The raised boardwalk near the Tesco access point gives a good view over the reeds.
💡 Go on a weekday morning when it's quieter. Look for the small brass rubbing centre in the south aisle – you can make your own rubbing for £2. The café in the adjacent Chapter House has reasonable lunch specials.
💡 The hands-on 'Sound and Light' gallery is surprisingly good for kids; aim for weekday mornings to avoid school groups.
💡 The museum is compact – you can see everything in an hour. The highlight is the 1950s domestic room display with a working radio and period furniture. Free parking in the adjacent car park (limited spaces). No café, but the park outside has a kiosk in summer.