Saffron Walden

Travel Guide

Saffron Walden featuring a house, street scenes and a city
Saffron Walden
Saffron Walden which includes heritage architecture and a castle
Saffron Walden featuring heritage architecture, heritage elements and interior views
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 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is RM494 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
RM494
RM593 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star inn in Saffron Walden. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (242 reviews)
Great stay
"Spent 2 nights at The Cricketers, had a lovely stay, our room was in The Pavilion annex, spacious room, lovely bathroom, spotlessly clean, comfy bed. We ate both evenings at the pub, the food was wonderful and very tasty. Breakfast was great, with a very good choice. The lady doing the breakfast ..."

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

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 RM592 per night from 16 Aug to 17 Aug
RM592
RM710 total
16 Aug - 17 Aug
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,455 reviews)
"Bathroom was very clean. Dust on shelves and stained surfaces."

Reviewed on 20 Jul 2025

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 RM425 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
RM425
RM510 total
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,011 reviews)
"Amazing staff always happy to help"

Reviewed on 20 Jul 2025

Novotel 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.
Luxury 2 Bed Manor House Hot Tub Cinema Room Skytv

Luxury 2 Bed Manor House Hot Tub Cinema Room Skytv

3.5 out of 5
Saffron Walden
Stay at this 3.5-star residence in Saffron Walden. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Audley End House and Fry Art Gallery are ...
Luxury 2 Bed Manor House Hot Tub Cinema Room Skytv
Deluxe 2/3 Bed Hottub Skytv

Deluxe 2/3 Bed Hottub Skytv

3.5 out of 5
Saffron Walden
Stay at this 3.5-star residence in Saffron Walden. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Great Bardfield Cottage Museum and Camping ...
Deluxe 2/3 Bed Hottub Skytv
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 WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (445 reviews)
Spacious & comfortable suite
"Very spacious 2-room apartment; kitchette design was somewhat awkward with "hidden" utensils. Happy for use of the washer/dryer, but instructional help with dryer was needed. Weakest aspect was the location outside of Cambridge proper, requiring a 20-minute bus ride...longer to the train station. ..."

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

Turing Locke Cambridge
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.