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Chelmsford revealed as Radio 2 in the Park location

Alice Cunningham & Shivani Chaudhari
BBC News, Essex
BBC TV personality Rylan Clark and comedian Ellie Taylor holding a yellow banner that reads BBC Radio 2 in the Park Chelmsford 2025. They are both smiling at the camera. Ellie has sunglasses on her head.BBC
Rylan Clark and Ellie Taylor have told of their excitement at the announcement

BBC Radio 2 has announced this year's location for its flagship live music festival will be Chelmsford in Essex.

Radio 2 in the Park will take place in Hylands Park, just outside the city, from 5 to 7 September.

The announcement was made on The Scott Mills Breakfast Show with the artist line-up to be revealed on the same show on Tuesday. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday.

Mills said: "We haven't done anything in this area of the world in a long time and we've got a venue right there. The park was used for so many years for V Festival.

A view of the Radio 2 in the Park festival stage from far back. Thousands of people stand in front of the crowd watching Sting perform at night. The stage is lit up and has two large screens either side.
Radio 2 in the Park has previously seen the likes of Sting performing to the crowds

"On a sunny day, I can't think of anywhere better," he added.

Mills said the full line-up of will be revealed at 08:00 on Radio 2 on Tuesday.

Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said it was to be the "biggest party of the year" while leader of Chelmsford City Council, Stephen Robinson, added it was a "fantastic opportunity" for the city.

The announcement came as Mills was speaking to fellow Radio 2 presenter and comedian, Ellie Taylor, who hails from Essex.

She was live on air at Hylands House within the park alongside Rylan Clark, also from Essex, to reveal the location.

Clark said: "I am beside myself because last year I had to get the train to Preston, this year I could probably jog.

"I'm so so excited, Essex definitely know how to throw a party."

PA Media Crowds of people, many of them waving their arms, facing the stage at V Festival in Hylands Park on a sunny day. The photo is taken from the stage.PA Media
V Festival took place at Hylands Park in Essex between 1996 to 2017

"We've been busy booking some of the world's most loved artists to perform to thousands of revellers in Hylands Park, as well as to millions of listeners and viewers at home or on the move," Ms Thomas said.

"We can't wait to bring our family of Radio 2 presenters to Essex."

Robinson added that Hylands House was "no stranger to music festivals", having previously hosted V Festival, Creamfields South and Country Calling.

"BBC Radio 2 in the Park is a fantastic opportunity for Chelmsford – one that will lift our local economy and boost the city's position as a top events destination," he said.

"We're looking forward to welcoming world-famous music acts and thousands of Radio 2 fans from across the UK to our brilliant city this summer, for this unrivalled three-day celebration of music."

In recent years the festival has been held in Preston in Lancashire and in Leicester.

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