Saffron Walden

Perhaps you’re in need a change of pace from your hectic everyday life, or perhaps you’re visiting London, but would really like to take a day to explore a different side of England, one that’s a bit, well, older. Whatever the purpose of your journey may be, have I got the place for you.

Saffron Walden.

Saffron Walden is about an hour and a half outside of London and one hour from Cambridge. In this quaint town you will find streets lined with bold colorful houses and plenty to do for a day or weekend trip.

Unfortunately, the day that we went (in true English fashion), it poured down rain, because, for whatever reason, it always rains here when I have something planned. That said, we still made the most of it and got to get a feel for this little town.

THINGS TO DO:

Walden Castle - This castle is mostly ruins at this point, but it is worth checking out.
Castle Street - Looking to get the perfect IG photo from your getaway? Head over to castle street where you’ll find rows of bright colored houses.
Audley End House and Gardens - Here you’ll find perfectly manicured hedge mazes, flower beds, and one of England’s largest mansions. It’s not exactly in town centre, so be sure to plan the extra time to check it out.
The Saffron Walden Museum - As one of the oldest purpose driven museums in England, the museum is host to a multitude of pieces including ancient artifacts, textiles, geology, and more.

WHERE TO EAT + DRINK:

Saffron Walden is actually full of restaurants and all of them have good reviews online, so it was difficult to narrow it down seeing that we were only there for a day trip. We ended up choosing a pub called The Eight Bells and I was not disappointed.

The Eight Bells - marked by 8 small bells outside the front door, this place is hard to miss. When we pulled into the parking lot it was filled with Range Rovers, Jaguars, and a Rolls Royce, so I immediately braced myself for it to likely be expensive. I was pleasantly surprised when it was not, an entree will run your around 15 pounds, which is pretty standard. Inside was GORGEOUS and filled with fun eclectic furniture and funky pieces on the walls. It was also packed around 2 PM on a Friday, so if you have the forethought to make a reservation, I probably would.
I ended up getting the maple glazed pork ribeye with a poached egg, and my fiance Stuart got a classic bangers and mash, we both opted for the tomato herb soup as a starter. Both of us were pleased with our meals as well as the service.
BONUS POINTS - The menu had a ton of vegetarian and gluten free options, and the wine list was extensive.
The Old English Gentleman - If you’re looking for a more traditional pub with straightforward, classic, food and no frills (think cider and ale over a curated wine list) than this is definitely your spot.
The Restaurant on Church Street - Full disclosure we didn’t actually get to go to this restaurant because we made our way back home before it opened (it is only open for dinner and not until 7:30 PM), but we did pass by it and man is it CUTE. Judging from the photos online, it has the vibe of dining inside your rich friend’s luxury wine cellar and it has nothing but positive reviews online, so I am certain it’s a great choice for an elegant late night dinner.

The pork rib eye with a poached egg, hash browns, and pease pudding.

Overall our visit to Saffron Walden was a great success and I will definitely be back (probably, like, in the summer, when it’s not pouring rain).

Tell me your thoughts, would YOU like to visit Saffron Walden?

Also, if you want more fun travel and fashion content, follow me on instagram @thelaurabarrett

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