Saffron Walden Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Saffron Walden which includes street scenes, a city and a house
Saffron Walden
Saffron Walden showing heritage architecture and a castle
Saffron Walden featuring a house, heritage architecture and interior views
Audley End House which includes interior views and land animals
Beautiful medieval structures, a lively local market and a collection of Essex’s finest gardens make this village a perfect getaway in the English countryside. 

Although it’s close to the busier cities of Cambridge and London, the quaint market town of Saffron Walden has managed to maintain all of its rural charm. The historic village with roots in the Roman era is situated in the heart of Essex County. Saffron Walden’s compact village centre is characterized by medieval architecture and a lively square that is the site of the popular Saffron Walden market.

Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries Saffron Walden was home to many British nobles and today their homes and gardens have become some of the region’s most popular attractions. Spend a day exploring Audley End House and Gardens where you can meet the resident horses, see the operating kitchen garden and admire the intricate details used to decorate the manor’s interior. Take the kids to the nearby Audley End Miniature Railway for an afternoon of fun. Stop by Bridge End Garden where there are seven ornamental gardens and a hedge maze. You can enjoy outdoor activities year-round in Saffron Walden as the town is located in one of the driest regions of Britain. 

Visit Walden Castle for some fascinating medieval history. Although only ruins of the castle remain, this is still a site worth visiting if you want to learn about one of the oldest buildings in the region and photograph the interesting scenes created by the ruins. 

The beautiful Market Place hosts a market each Tuesday and Saturday and a visit to the town should be timed so you can attend at least one of the market days. Saffron Walden comes alive as buskers, local farmers and the townspeople mingle and buy their weekly produce. Sample local fruit and vegetables, or pull up a chair at one of the cafés and restaurants that line the square to watch the day unfold.

Saffron Walden can be reached from London in just over an hour by car or by train via the Audley End railway station. Most accommodation is located in the village centre.

The Cricketers
The Cricketers
4 out of 5
Wicken Road, Clavering, Saffron Walden, England
The price is Rp1.712.919 per night from 23 Jan to 24 Jan
Rp1.712.919
Rp2.055.503 total
includes taxes & fees
23 Jan - 24 Jan
Stay at this 4-star inn in Saffron Walden. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge) and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (198 reviews)
Amazing stay at The Cricketers
"Extremely friendly staff. Very welcoming and dog friendly. The building was a beautifully preserved 15 century pub. Our room was clean, comfortable and had everything we needed for our stay. Meals were amazing, we had dinner and breakfast there. I would highly recommend."

Reviewed on 28 Dec 2024

The Cricketers
Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport
Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport
4 out of 5
Waltham Close Stansted Airport, Bishop's Stortford, England
The price is Rp1.745.552 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
Rp1.745.552
Rp2.094.663 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Feb - 2 Feb
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Bishop's Stortford. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8/10 Very good! (2,082 reviews)
"Very confortable rooms. Fantastically located on the side of Stansted Airport terminal"

Reviewed on 6 Jan 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport
Hampton by Hilton London Stansted Airport
Hampton by Hilton London Stansted Airport
3 out of 5
Bassingbourn Road, Essex, Stansted, England
The price is Rp1.555.052 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
Rp1.555.052
Rp1.866.062 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Feb - 2 Feb
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Stansted. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,827 reviews)
"The service in the restaurant was slower than expected but there was only 2 people taking orders and payment so waiting time could have been better But the food was beautiful"

Reviewed on 5 Jan 2025

Hampton by Hilton London Stansted Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Turing Locke Cambridge
Turing Locke Cambridge
4 out of 5
47 Eddington Ave, Cambridge, England
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Cambridge. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (367 reviews)
"Last minute booking for 1 night, as got tickets to a gig at the Cambridge Corn Exchange. Absolutely loved this hotel. Quirky, clean, comfortable and the little cocktail bar off the lobby is gorgeous. Staff all very friendly. The hotel was full, so parking wasn’t a bit of a pain. I wasn’t aware you ..."

Reviewed on 21 Dec 2024

Turing Locke Cambridge
The Regent Aparthotel
The Regent Aparthotel
3.5 out of 5
41 Regent St, Cambridge, England
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Cambridge. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (228 reviews)
Great location
"This is a lovely Aparthotel in a great location in Cambridge. Only downside is the noise from the road. I advise guests to bring earplugs or even better, supplied by the hotel. Some noise also from banging doors in the corridor. A coffeemaker is provided in the room, but only with 2 capsules and ..."

Reviewed on 16 Dec 2024

The Regent Aparthotel
Fennec Apartments
Fennec Apartments
3 out of 5
16 Fennec Close, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge, England
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Cambridge. Enjoy free parking, a pool table and an outdoor tennis court. Popular attractions Virtual Aviation and Cambridge ...
8.2/10 Very good! (35 reviews)
"The place was a lot smaller than the pictures"

Reviewed on 22 Oct 2024

Fennec Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Saffron Walden

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
12
" "5 - Excellent 57%
4 - Good
9
" "4 - Good 43%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Have visited before, lovely area

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Well-preserved half-timbered houses with pargetted walls; lively market selling wide range of fresh food; individual butchers and fishmongers. impressive parish church; brand new concert hall.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovely old town set in beautiful countryside.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

If you;re looking for a quiet place to use as a base to explore the Saffron Waldon area, this B&B is spot-on. Also very handy for Stansted airport.

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