Cotswolds-alternative town named one of the best places to live in the UK
THE Cotswolds is known for their beauty with quaint cottages and winding streets and there’s one very similar town over 100 miles away.
Saffron Walden is nestled in the Essex countryside.
In 2025, the Essex town was named the “best place to live in the UK” by The Times, and it does have a likeness to the popular Cotswolds.
The town is filled with wonky Tudor houses, winding streets and a plethora of independent shops.
There’s The Toy Box which sells old-school toys and has been in the town for 40-years, The Corner Cupboard where you can find antique jewellery, and Hart’s Books.
Saffron Walden is well-known for its big outdoor market which it’s held since 1141 – and you can see it for yourself on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Stalls sell food from fresh fruit and vegetables, to olives, bread, fish, flowers, antiques and jewellery.
If you’re lucky you may even spot a celeb like Jamie Oliver, who lives nearby and is often seen picking up fresh ingredients at the stalls.
There are lots of cafes around the town too from The Goat and Grass to Waffle and Coffee to Chater’s.
When it comes to pubs, you’re spoiled for choice – and lots of them have scooped up awards in recent years too.
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In 2022, the Railway Arms was awarded CAMRA County Pub of the Year and North West Essex Pub of the Year in May.
The pub serves all sorts and drinks and snacks, although you won’t find pub grub here – but there are food trucks every Thursday.
The Railway Arms closed in 2017 but reopened in 2020 as Saffron Walden’s first community-run free house pub – and it holds a quiz every Sunday.
The Eight Bells on Bridge Street is also a popular spot and has a beautiful interior with beams and antler light fixings.
With a set menu you can get two courses for £19.50 or three for £24.50.
You can dine on the likes of prawn cocktail, chicken kiev, smoked haddock kedgeree and to finish, sticky toffee pudding or vanilla cheesecake.
While it’s not actually in Saffron Walden, The Cricketers Arms is a short drive away in Rickling Green and won Best Destination Pub 2025 Muddy Awards.
It was also awarded 1 AA Rosette for culinary excellence.
The pub is known for its hearty Sunday meals like the ‘Tear & Share’ lamb shoulder and three meats ‘Pig n Mix’ roast.
On the outskirts of Saffron Walden is Audley End an English Heritage House – but there’s lots to do on the grounds.
Here, you’ll even find a miniature railway which will reopen for Mother’s Day weekend.
There are events held throughout the year too like Woodland Adventure Days where kids can explore the playground, discover the fairy walk – and ride one of the trains.
Saffron Walden even has its own vineyard called Saffron Grange.
The family-run vineyard makes English sparkling wine including white and rosé.
If you fancy a tour, and a tasting – you can book one from £25 per person.
It’s easy to explore Saffron Walden in a day too as it’s a 30-minute drive from the city of Cambridge.
If you’re going by train, from London it can take as little as 55-minute which gets you into the nearest station at Audley End.
From there, it’s just a 7-minute drive into the Essex town.
For more on Essex, check out England’s smallest town has riverfront pubs, man-made beach and its own train station.
And make sure to discover the ‘other side’ to the county with sandy beaches and the biggest pleasure pier in the UK.
Hear what one reporter got up to on a trip to the pretty Essex town…
Senior Consumer Reporter Adele Cooke headed to Saffron Walden for a weekend getaway, and here’s what she thought…
“Before I boarded the train for my weekend break, Essex conjured up images of Gemma Collins rather than a refined getaway.
So it was a pleasant surprise to arrive at our cottage set in the splendour of Audley End House and Gardens, just outside Saffron Walden. If you are looking for a place to get away from it all, it’s perfect.
“The 17th-century manor has been visited by everyone from Elizabeth I to screen royalty Olivia Colman, who filmed scenes for Netflix series The Crown.
“In nearby Saffron Walden there were more surprises. Coffee in hand, we took a stroll to St Mary’s Church, which dates to Norman times and is still the tallest building in Essex with its spire topping out at 193ft.
“Then it was on to Bridge End Gardens and its maze – before a pint at the Cross Keys Hotel, also known for its great food. The fun continued with a visit to one of Essex’s Tiptree tea rooms. I knew Tiptree as the makers of tasty jams, often served in little jars at posh hotels.
“But I was surprised to learn the Essex-born company also has eight tea rooms and even a museum.
“We got the day off to the best of starts at Tiptree’s Courtyard tea room in Saffron Walden with their traditional breakfast, a Full English complete with tasty local sausages, bacon, egg and even some traditional Tiptree brown sauce.”