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Springfield Lyons Bronze Age Enclosure Tours

North-East of Chelmer Village Way, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 5AR

  • Multiple dates available
  • In person
  • Pre-booking required

This is a fantastic opportunity to explore one of the forgotten gems of Chelmsford’s history, a Bronze Age enclosure used as the home of an important chief around 850 BC.

With the help of local historians, visitors will learn what life was like in this special corner of prehistoric Chelmsford, when swords were forged, strange rituals were carried out and the land was used as a cemetery.

Visitors can look at the Bronze Age enclosure itself, which is very well preserved, while enjoying the peaceful oasis of green space sandwiched between commercial and residential areas. Organisers will describe how the site was the home of an important Chelmsford leader towards the end of the Bronze Age while being part of a Stonehenge-like ritual landscape which included a mortuary enclosure, Neolithic enclosure and nationally-important cursus monument, all now lost. Local historians will take small groups of visitors on a tour inside the Bronze Age enclosure, teaching them why it was built and what life was like for the inhabitants, before showing them the archaeological pits left from the excavation of the adjacent Anglo-Saxon cemetery. Visitors are free to take photos, and while the site is great for picnics, there is a well-stocked café at the nearby Longacres garden centre.

Timings & Tours

Friday 12 September:
1000-1600 tours 1030, 1200, 1430
Saturday 13 September:
1000-1600 tours 1030, 1200, 1430
Saturday 20 September:
1000-1600 tours 1030, 1200, 1430
Sunday 21 September:
1000-1600 tours 1030, 1200, 1430

Location & directions

North-East of Chelmer Village Way, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 5AR

Directions:
What3words location thus.exact.blues. As you leave the roundabout from Cuton Hall Lane to Chelmer Village Way and descend downhill, there is an information board and public footpath sign visible on the left-hand side, you can take this foot path or the next footpath where there will be a temporary sign board.

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:
Pre-booking required
Booking conditions:
Booking for the tours is essential.
Booking email:
[email protected]
Booking website:
https://www.chelmsfordhod.co.uk
Booking opens:
01 Aug 2025 12:00 AM
Booking closes:
20 Sep 2025 12:00 AM

Accessibility details

The site can be, wet, boggy and slippery so extra care must be taken especially as the ground is uneven due to the dips and pits in and around the enclosure. There is no parking at the site, the nearest locations are either the Wyvale Garden Centre or nearby Richmond Road (off the Roundabout).

Additional information

Access to this site is only available because of special arrangements with local volunteers and the owners Essex County Council.

Max no of people per tour:
15

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