The little UK city that was the capital of England instead of London for just 3 days

It is the county town of Essex and one of three cities in the county, along with Colchester and Southend-on-Sea. Located 30 miles (50 kilometres) north-east of London from Charing Cross it has more connections to the capital than simply being a commuter belt city.

In 1835, when visiting Essex and Suffolk to cover local elections as a journalist, Charles Dickens visited Chelmsford. He was apparently so upset that he could not find a newspaper on a Sunday that he wrote in a letter to a friend that Chelmsford was "the dullest and most stupid place on earth."

Not so! Chelmsford was in fact the actual capital of England for a brief period in history. During the Peasants' Revolt of 1381, the pretty Essex city ruled the country for three-day period.

King Richard II, who was trying to suppress the rebellion, based his court and government operations in Chelmsford, according to BBC Essex. While London remained the official capital, the shift in governmental power and the King's presence in Chelmsford led to it being considered the acting capital for a few days.

The Peasants' Revolt was a widespread uprising against the English government, primarily due to new poll taxes and other grievances. King Richard II, who was only 14 at the time, was forced to meet with the rebels and make promises to end the revolt.

After initially meeting with the rebels in London, King Richard II and his court moved to Chelmsford, where he based his operations for a few days. This period saw him issuing orders and directing efforts to suppress the rebellion.

Katharine Schofield, an archivist from Essex County Council, told the BBC: "In the sense that the Government travelled with the King, the centre of the court was in Chelmsford, but technically London was still the capital."

"It is believed the King stayed in a Royal Manor in Writtle, but it is not known exactly where this was."

"Writtle was the principal area, but after the Bishop of London started building up Chelmsford and it became the County Town from the 13th Century, documents cease to be dated at Writtle and start being dated in Chelmsford."

The documents that reveal this information are held in the National Archives in Kew because they are classed as records of central government.

There are a number of documents that have details of the peasant's revolt in Essex, as it covered most of the County.

Katherine says that, whilst in Essex, the King issued orders to suppress rebels. She said: "Whilst Essex and Kent were the centre of the revolt and people marched on London, there is evidence of revolts in other counties and, in order to get the rebels to disperse, the King promised them that they would be pardoned for their rebellion and granted their freedom."

Following this, most men from Essex returned home, but the King went back on his promise. The last rebels were suppressed just outside Billericay.

Chelmsford is also known as the birthplace of radio. In 1899 opened the first "wireless" or radio factory in the world at Hall Street in the Moulsham area of Chelmsford.

Visitors to Chelmsford today have plenty to see. The city boasts one of the UK newest race courses and is home to the Essex Police Museum.

The nearby Hylands Estate is a beautiful Grade II listed public park and house where events are regularly held throughout the year.

A spokesperson for visitessex.com said: "Garden lovers will be in their element at RHS Garden Hyde Hall, one of the finest gardens in the East of England with panoramic views, a café, restaurant, garden centre, and regular events. For the adrenaline junkies, swing through the treetops at , found in Hylands Park. Chelmsford is also home to some lovely country parks that offer peaceful afternoons of bird watching in rural Essex."

The town also boasts a theatre, a zoo, escape room and three shopping centres including a John Lewis, as well as wonderful independent retailers, boutique stores, and a regular market.

The city's centre is home to charming historic streets and Chelmsford Cathedral, parts of which date back to the 12th Century.