Around Cambridge: Saffron Walden

Another post about our travels in the area near to Cambridge.

Saffron Walden

The next town in our list of historic places near Cambridge is that of Saffron Walden. (Except, of course, that Saffron Walden is in Essex!) The town has a lot of character, as it is full of mediaeval buildings and narrow streets. It is also full of antique and craft shops, much to Elizabeth’s delight.

The Town Council’s website says this about it: “This very attractive town is one of the finest preserved examples of a medieval market town and is quintessentially English. Within its outstanding Conservation Area you can find examples of every style of architecture from the 12th to the 21st century.”
(accessed 9/12/07 at http://www.saffronwalden.gov.uk/)

The town became prosperous from the crop of saffron, which was harvested from local crocus fields. It is actually quite close to Audley End, and we did have a brief look at Saffron Walden after our visit there last Saturday. After inspecting the church however, the heavens opened, and we had to beat a hasty retreat back to the car.

John and I really liked the look of the town, so we returned the next fine day, which happened to be Monday. This turned out to be a great choice of day, as the town was having its annual Christmas lat night shopping and market. The town hall was open, and lots of craft and antique stalls were set up in the main hall. This of course, was Elizabeth’s idea of heaven on earth.

We spent a couple of happy hours exploring the antique shops (not high brow ones, but ones with lots of interesting stuff), the market and the town hall fair. One of the stalls at the market grabbed our attention – it not only had flowers, but a flock of wooden ducks for sale.

We finished our tour with a stop at a Café called Gluttons, which of course delighted John!