A picture postcard town, Saffron Walden was first called ‘Walden’ and then ‘Chipping Walden’ until around 1500 when the saffron crocus was grown extensively in the area and the saffron trade was at its peak. The ‘Saffron Walden’ name was formalised by Henry VIII in a charter granted in 1514, which showed five saffron flowers in the margins. Of course, the medieval town has many historic buildings, including St Mary’s Church, which is the largest parish church in the county. Fine examples of elaborate moulded plasterwork, known as pargetting, can also be seen on houses in Castle Street and Bridge Street. To get a real feel for the history of the town, Saffron Walden Museum (saffronwaldenmuseum.org) has collections housed in one of the oldest purpose-built museum buildings and was completed in 1835. The ruins of the Castle keep, dating back to the 1130s or 40s, are within the grounds, and inside, an early Tudor bed to mammoth tusks can all be seen.
With lots to see and do, it’s easy to see the appeal of this charming town and it thoroughly deserved the Sunday Times “Best Places To Live in 2023 in the East of England” accolade.
Living here provides plenty of choice in the way of homes, from timber-framed to large country homes, quaint and colourful cottages, while new build options are also offered.
Shopping and eating here (more about those later) is a joy and the Tuesday and Saturday market offers a wide range of stalls selling anything from flowers, olives, clothing, fruit and vegetables and much more. There’s plenty of activities going on to echo a community vibe, as well as clubs and organisations to get involved with. Sports clubs, including football, cricket and tennis, are on offer, as is the golf course. The Lord Butler Leisure Centre has a a 25-metre pool and runs various fitness classes including yoga, Zumba and aqua aerobics. For families, education comes with the offering of highly rated schools in and around the area. Stephen Perse Junior School Dame Bradbury’s is an independent school for boys and girls to the age of 11 and Saffron Walden County High School is rated outstanding by Ofsted.
While there isn’t a railway station in Saffron Walden, nearby Audley End station is managed by Greater Anglia and can reach London in just over an hour. Being located between a number of the county’s major towns and cities, road networks are conveniently close and Stansted Airport is a 30-minute drive away.
If you’re new to the area, or perhaps in need of a reminder, tours of the town are certainly worth doing, especially the town food tours which provide an incredible food tasting journey. Saffron Walden Town Council (visitsaffronwalden.gov.uk) has plenty of resources on things to do but don’t miss a visit to the town’s mazes and Bridge End Garden, created by Francis Gibson and is Grade II listed. Various galleries are also worth exploring and Saffron Screen is the town’s very own non-profit independent cinema. One of the most impressive examples of early 17th-century architecture in England is Audley End (english-heritage.org.uk). Events are in there plenty and on September 18 sees an evening garden tour in partnership with the National Garden Scheme. Nearby, Audley End Miniature Railway (audley-end-railway.co.uk) offers a magical day out and is one of the best in Essex. The area was once roamed by woolly mammoths at the end of the last ice age and today, the same soil helps to grow the highest quality grapes at Saffron Grange (saffrongrange.com) a boutique, family-run vineyard offering the finest quality English sparkling wine. A number of memorable experiences are available throughout the year from vineyard tours and tastings to special events.
As well as the renowned market, Saffron Walden is home to some wonderful independent shops and businesses. Neon Leo (neonleo.co.uk) is a local rental and preloved fashion store with a mission to help women elevate their style through sustainable fashion choices. Founded by Mandy Weetch and Abi North, there is a curated collection of trend-led clothing from daily basics to event wear to rent or buy, and unlike other rental platforms, customers can try on items at the store beforehand. Mandy and Abi said: 'We are proud to have built a community that encourages female empowerment and confidence through fashion. We're encouraging women to invest in the idea that you can borrow, buy and share exceptional clothes, sustainably, and at an affordable price.' Many were sad to hear of The Toy Box closure earlier this year, but in June, there was some happy news as new owners, Amber and Dillon reopened the much-loved traditional toy shop. There’s everything for little people…and maybe the young at heart! Follow their journey @thetoyboxsaffronwalden. Sage and Saffron (sageandsaffron.co.uk) brings together produce from the region’s finest farmers, vintners and artisan food makers and Hart’s Books (hartsbooks.co.uk) has been a staple in the town since 1836 and has every book type you can imagine and helpful staff.
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- Discover the charming Essex town of Saffron Walden
- How did Saffron Walden in Essex get its name?
- A local's guide to Saffron Walden
There’s no shortage of places to eat and drink in and around the town. Providing a fun and modern interior, The Eight Bells (theeightbellssaffronwalden.com) is a 16th century pub with menus thoughtfully crafted and constantly evolving to reflect the best seasonal ingredients. Taking your dog? They have their own menu too…the pawfect answer to dining with all the family. Another charming, beamed pub is The Crown (thecrownlittlewalden.co.uk) and is known for its “awesome roast” and “never disappoints” reviews on Tripadvisor.
Over in Church Street, is Chater’s (chaters.uk) which is not only a restaurant serving speciality coffee, fresh pasta and natural wine, it is also home to Vault Aperitivo, a modern independent distillery and general store stocking some pretty tasty provisions.
In January, Ana Hayter and Tori May opened Waffle+Coffee Café and Bistro (waffleand.co.uk) in the former Bicicletta site at 1-3 Market Walk. Their passion for great food including their sweet and savoury high-quality waffles, and exceptional coffee is much welcomed, and both are excited to breathe new life into this beloved location. Find out more about Ana and Tori shortly. Another must is French-style coffee shop, Jolie (@jolie.saffronwalden) which not only offers macarons, coffee and cake, but also grazeboards and cheeseboards…absolute pure heaven!
Steeped in history and located on the High Street, The Cross Keys Hotel and Restaurant (theoldcrosskeys.co.uk) offers rooms with unique character from the building which dates back some 850 years. A mix of architecture, the western end of the building was built in the 16th century as a shop, while the later 17th, 18th and 19th century elements of the building add to the charm and romance. There are ten rooms, and all are en-suite with luxurious bedding and towels. A full English breakfast will complement your stay nicely. If you’re looking for a countryside stay then just outside of the town, the village of Wimbish is home to Wimbish Hall Cabins (wimbishhallcabins.com) which provides five cabins surrounded by beautiful views and country walks to enjoy. Offering a blend of rustic charm and modern luxury, each is equipped with hot tub, fully-equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi and an EV charge point. Dogs are welcome at the Badger and Hedgehog cabins. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, family vacation, or group retreat, then this is the perfect base. Just a 15-minute drive away, The Cricketers in Clavering (thecricketers.co.uk) has 22 recently refurbished bedrooms, all unique in style and with “good”, “better” and “best room” categories…simply something for everyone.
In the heart of Saffron Walden, you'll find Waffle+Co, the award-winning, female-founded street food business which has taken the humble waffle to the next level. More recently, the dynamic duo behind Waffle+Co, Ana Hayter and Tori May, took their culinary vision a step further by opening Waffle+Coffee Café and Bistro at the former Bicicletta site.
Having founded Waffle+Co in 2018 Ana and Tori have built a reputation for delivering delectable sweet and savoury waffles through the fleet of mobile trucks which travel around the country serving up delights from their kitchen on four wheels.
'Having moved from London several years ago, we now both call Saffron Walden home and cherish its vibrant community vibe, the tranquillity of the countryside, the lively buzz of the small market town, and the strong connections we’ve built within this wonderful town.
'We love being surrounded by so many brilliant small and independent businesses such as Chaters, Neon Leo, Harrison Cantel Photography, Hill Street Chocolate, Truckhiato, BonnefireBox and Saffron Fish Co.
'Our commitment to the community, approach to customer service and dedication to using locally sourced ingredients in both businesses is fundamental. This not only supports local companies but also ensures the freshness and quality. By combining our passion, experience, and strong community ties, we are making Waffle+Coffee Café and Bistro a cherished spot in Saffron Walden, inviting everyone to chill out and soak up the cozy, laid-back vibe.'
waffleand.co.uk
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