SAFFRON WALDEN TOURIST INFORMATION AND ATTRACTIONS

Saffron Walden is located in NW Essex some 50 miles from London, but in a largely unspoilt rural area. This very attractive town is one of the best-preserved English medieval market towns with examples of every style of architecture from the 12th century onwards.

Saffron Walden is uniquely fortunate in having two important mazes: the ancient turf maze on the Common and the restored Victorian yew hedge maze at Bridge End Gardens.

Saffron Walden Museum stands in an enclosed grass meadow, suitable for picnics, with the ruins of the 12th century Walden Castle in the grounds. Collections include: Local Social History, Archaeology, Egyptian and Eastern Mediterranean Antiquities, Ethnography (cultures from round the world), Decorative Arts (textiles, ceramics, glass and furniture), Natural History Collection. Saffron Walden Museum is open every day of the year except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Mondays to Saturdays - 10am to 5pm, Sundays and public holidays - 2 to 5pm (closes at each day at 4.30pm in winter).

Saffron Walden's Bridge End Garden is in fact a series of seven interlinked gardens laid out by the Gibson family in the nineteenth century. These grade II* listed gardens are open to the public each day free of charge.

The nearby Saffron Walden Church (the largest in Essex) is also worth a visit, as is the Fry Art Gallery (Castle Street - www.fryartgallery.org, Tel 01799 513779).

Saffron Walden town centre map.

Click here for map covering a larger area (not to scale).

Swimming and sports

Lord Butler Leisure Centre - Swimming and other sports Tel. 01799 522777

Cinema

www.saffronscreen.com - opening from early summer 2006 (County High School, Audley End Road). Tel 01799 500238

Markets

Saffron Walden Market
Tuesday and Saturday (market can be found next to the library on the map).

Great Chesterford Farmers Market
Second Saturday of the month at the Community Centre, Great Chesterford. 10.00am – 12 noon. Local lamb, pork, pies, cakes, seasonal vegetables, fruit, hand-made crafts.

More information about Saffron Walden

For more information about Saffron Walden please phone the Tourist Information Centre - 01799 510444.

Tourist Attractions south of Great Chesterford | Chesterford Homepage