Saffron Walden

Travel Guide
Saffron Walden showing a house, a city and street scenes
Saffron Walden
Saffron Walden featuring heritage architecture and château or palace
Saffron Walden which includes interior views, a house and heritage architecture
Audley End House which includes land animals and interior views
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 center 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 center.

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 HK$761 per night from 22 Dec to 23 Dec
HK$761
HK$913 total
includes taxes & fees
22 Dec - 23 Dec
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Bishop's Stortford. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,957 reviews)
"Good stay overall"

Reviewed on 16 Nov 2024

Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport
Novotel London Stansted Airport
Novotel London Stansted Airport
4 out of 5
Round Coppice Road, London Stansted Airport, Stansted, England
The price is HK$657 per night from 4 Dec to 5 Dec
HK$657
HK$789 total
includes taxes & fees
4 Dec - 5 Dec
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Stansted. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Very good for the price"

Reviewed on 16 Nov 2024

Novotel 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 HK$733 per night from 16 Dec to 17 Dec
HK$733
HK$879 total
includes taxes & fees
16 Dec - 17 Dec
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Stansted. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,803 reviews)
"Five minutes walk from the airport terminal exactly why we needed perfect for an early flight. Breakfast starting at 4 AM,"

Reviewed on 19 Nov 2024

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.
Deluxe 5 Bedroom Bungalow, Forest Setting, Hot Tub
Deluxe 5 Bedroom Bungalow, Forest Setting, Hot Tub
Little Sampford
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Saffron Walden. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and a pool table. Popular attractions Great Bardfield Cottage ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
Such a great place - and care!
"We came as a group of 4 families (16 people with children from 1 to 7) and really enjoyed our extended weekend. The hot tub at night was the highlight treat, the BBQ, the cinema room and the castle playground came second ex-aequo. The owner was close to us, giving us a"

Reviewed on 10 May 2023

Deluxe 5 Bedroom Bungalow, Forest Setting, Hot Tub
Huge Deluxe 600 Year Old Essex Manor House
Huge Deluxe 600 Year Old Essex Manor House
Essex
Stay at this vacation home in Saffron Walden. Enjoy a garden, balconies, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Audley End House and Fry Art Gallery ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Wonderful For Family Celebration
"We stayed with family and friends to celebrate my wife’s 40th birthday. Everyone had an outstanding time. The children absolutely loved this house which had so much for them to do and enjoy. Would highly recommend."

Reviewed on 19 Feb 2024

Huge Deluxe 600 Year Old Essex Manor House
Deluxe 4/5 Bed Hot Tub Cinema Room 15
Deluxe 4/5 Bed Hot Tub Cinema Room 15
Saffron Walden
Stay at this vacation home in Saffron Walden. Enjoy a garden, patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Great Bardfield Cottage Museum and Camping ...
Deluxe 4/5 Bed Hot Tub Cinema Room 15
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.