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.

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 ฿3,373 per night from 22 Dec to 23 Dec
฿3,373
฿4,048 total
includes taxes & fees
22 Dec - 23 Dec
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! (1,966 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 ฿2,924 per night from 2 Dec to 3 Dec
฿2,924
฿3,509 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Dec - 3 Dec
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Stansted. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,005 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 ฿3,261 per night from 16 Dec to 17 Dec
฿3,261
฿3,913 total
includes taxes & fees
16 Dec - 17 Dec
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Stansted. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,800 reviews)
Fully recommend
"Great place, top quality, delicious breakfast."

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.
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! (349 reviews)
Worth a visit
"Fabulous as always. We’ll return!"

Reviewed on 11 Nov 2024

Turing Locke Cambridge
 The Regent
The Regent
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! (220 reviews)
"Really good room, well equipped, close to town and railway station. Provided good breakfast."

Reviewed on 14 Nov 2024

The Regent
Broxbourne Riverside Chalets
Broxbourne Riverside Chalets
3 out of 5
Mill Lane, Broxbourne, England
Stay at this 3-star cottage in Broxbourne. Enjoy free parking, a garden and patios. Popular attractions Lee Valley Park and River Lee Country Park are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (77 reviews)
"Overall good,the chalet need updating."

Reviewed on 2 Nov 2024

Broxbourne Riverside Chalets
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.

Cities near Saffron Walden