Is Saffron Walden a nice place to live?
March 7th 2024
Is Saffron Walden a nice area to live in?
Tucked away in the Essex countryside, Saffron Walden is a medieval market town known for its historical-looking architecture and quiet, rural living. For home buyers, especially young families looking for a quieter country area to raise their children, Saffron Walden might be the perfect prospect.
In this area guide we’ll be taking a closer look at Saffron Walden and running through all the things you might want to know about the town, from transport links and schools, to shops and the state of the housing market.
What is transport like in Saffron Walden?
Saffron Walden is located between a number of major towns and cities by road, making it an excellent commuter town. The city of Cambridge and the town of Bishop’s Stortford are both only a 30-minute drive away, while Stevenage and Chelmsford are less than an hour away.
While there isn’t a railway station directly in Saffron Walden, Audley End station is only two miles away in the village of Wendens Ambo, which can be reached via a regular bus service. Audley End station is managed by Greater Anglia, and can reach London in just over an hour and Cambridge in just under an hour.
For anyone needing to catch a flight, Stansted Airport is also very close by, 30 minutes by car and just under an hour by train.
Are there any good schools in Saffron Walden?
There are a number of highly rated schools in and around Saffron Walden, making it perfect for families looking to settle down. There are a number of highly rated primary and secondary schools in the area, from Katherine Semar Junior School and Saffron Walden County High School, both rated Outstanding by Ofsted, to Ashdon Primary School and Joyce Franklin Academy, both rated Good.
In terms of higher education, Hertford Regional College and Braintree College are both under an hours’ drive away and offer a wide range of academic and vocational courses. There are also a number of highly rated universities in the nearby city of Cambridge, from Anglia Ruskin to the University of Cambridge.
What is there to do in Saffron Walden?
Saffron Walden is a town with a long, rich history and so is full of sites and attractions that are great for family days out. The Saffron Walden Museum contains a number of varied collections, from ancient Greece and Egypt to social and local history. Right next to it is Walden Castle, the ruins of a tower that dates back to the 11th century, as well as the largest turf maze of its type in England. There is also Bridge End Garden, a gorgeous walled garden and hedge maze built in 1840 which is free to the public.
In terms of non-historical activities, there is the nearby Saffron Grange Vineyard, which offers vineyard tours and wine tasting. For fitness is also the Saffron Walden Golf Club, Saffron Walden Cricket Club, and the Lord Butler Fitness & Leisure Centre, which has a number of exercise classes and a 25m pool.
What is the housing market like in Saffron Walden?
According to Rightmove, the houses for sale in Saffron Walden are priced as follows:
‘Properties in Saffron Walden had an overall average price of £453,382 over the last year.
The majority of sales in Saffron Walden during the last year were terraced properties, selling for an average price of £408,927. Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £535,660, with flats fetching £207,559.
Overall, sold prices in Saffron Walden over the last year were 1% down on the previous year and 4% up on the 2020 peak of £436,183.’
If you're interested in living in Saffron Walden, check out all the properties we currently have listed in the area, and contact our local branch for any information you might need.