Saffron Walden is an historic medieval town and over the 360 years between 1140 and 1500, the success of different trades helped Saffron Walden grow up to become the successful and thriving town that it is today.
Saffron Walden is the only town in the country to be associated with the precious crop, saffron. Saffron was in great demand for the woollen industry and brought wealth to the town. The church benefited greatly from this commodity as spare gardens were used to grow saffron to provide money for the church. The wealth the church gained can still be seen today in the form of the magnificent spire which adorns the church.
Malt was another commodity which Saffron Walden successfully traded in the 1870's, Conical shaped roofs of the maltings dominated the skyline and there were once as many as 15 pubs in the town of which only a few remain today.
The income provided by trading helped fund a market square, a motte and bailey castle and of course the church and there is evidence to suggest that the town was abundant in other trades, with streets such as 'Butchers Row' and 'Tanner Row' among others showing that there was much more economic activity.
The cattle market also played an important part in the successful trade in the town. These were originally held in the current market square before being moved to Hill Street, which was closed and replaced by in a supermarket in the early 1980's although the original gate to the market still stands as a prominent landmark.
The town market is said to be one of the earliest in Essex (started in around 1141) and the town grew up around it.
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Attraction
Audley End House and Park
Audley End Miniature Railway
Bridge End Gardens
Fry Public Art Gallery
HDRA Gardens
Priors Hall Barn
Saffron Walden Museum
Camping
Council
Dentist
Mrs Beckwith, Mr Griffin & Mrs Rae
The Dental Surgery
Doctor
Eaton C J & Partners
Gold Street Surgery
Newport Surgery
Sills P R & Partners
Estate Agent
Bairstow Eves West
Bruce Munro
Comins Robert
Hambro Countrywide Country Houses
Intercounty Partnership
Mullucks Wells & Associates
Golf Club
Inn
Queens Head Inn
Red Lion Hinxton
Market
Pub and Bar
Axe
Gate Inn
Kings Arms
Old English Gentleman
Old Forge
Railway Arms
Restaurant
Cricketers
Cricketers' Arms
Dish
Jade Garden
Prezzo Restaurant
School
Solicitor
Taxi
Safe-Cars Executive Taxis
Walden Cabs
Vet
Sports Clubs
Saffron Walden CC (Cricket)
Saffron Walden Judo Club (Martial Arts)
Shops
Harts Bookshop
Flower Shop
Bradshaw Ceramic Restoration
Boots
Bradshaw Ceramic Restorations
C & A Gould Ltd
Haddon Optical
Dyverse
Gray Palmer Ltd
Johnny Briggs
Farmer Kit Organics
Modish
Maze Coffee Shop
Gluttons
Cafe Cou Cou
Sceptred Isle Food Co Ltd
Chisnalls Deli
The Golden Butterfly
Ambrosial Bread
Burton & Son Butchers
Springwell Nursery & Garden Centre
Graces Farm & Country Gift Shop
The Corner Cupboard
The Holly Trees
Antiques
Bush Antiques
Ickleton Antiques
Market Row Antiques & Collectables
T Reed & Son Ltd
Lankester Antiques & Books
Debden Antiques & Interiors
Activities
Barnards Farm Riding Centre(Riding)
Places to Stay near Saffron Walden
Red Lion (0.24 miles)
Classic 16th Century Grade II listed Freehouse in a tiny conservation village, sitting in a walled garden overlooked by a dovecote and the village church. Exclusive Alastair Sawday Guide publication ... More
Saffron Hotel (0.24 miles)
Queens Head Inn (1.55 miles)
The Queen's Head Inn is a traditional 14th century coaching inn, located in the quiet and picturesque village of Littlebury in rural Essex. If you require accommodation we offer a traditional and relaxed atmosphere. All our rooms ... More | visit website
Cricketers (5.07 miles)
16th Century Freehouse in the heart of the English countryside, beamed ceilings, log fires, cask ales, English Tourist Board Silver Award and well known restaurant recommended in all major guide ... More
Duxford Lodge (5.70 miles)
Duxford Lodge Hotel, built in the early part of the 1900s as a private house still retains some of its grandeur. All fifteen bedrooms are individually decorated to a high ... More
Cricketers' Arms (5.84 miles)
As well as being ideal for getting to or from Stansted ... More | visit website
Swan Hotel (6.43 miles)
Holiday Inn Express M11 J10 (6.47 miles)
The Holiday Inn Express Cambridge Duxford hotel aims to be the premier choice for guests searching Cambridge hotels. The stylish Holiday Inn Express Cambridge Duxford offers 73 inviting guestrooms complete ... More
The Old Red Lion Inn (6.85 miles)
Old Red Lion (6.85 miles)
The Old Red Lion hotel dates back to its 18th Century days and was originally an old farm house. The lodges offer comfortable accommodation in a charming setting. There are 12 comfortably ... More
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