Saffron Walden has recently been named the Sunday Times Best Place to Live 2025, and it’s not hard to see why. With its combination of rich history, stunning countryside and thriving community, this charming town offers an enviable lifestyle that appeals to all kinds of residents.
As a leading Saffron Walden removals company, we’ve put together this guide so you can learn about what makes the town such a great place to live.
Where is Saffron Walden?
Saffron Walden is a picturesque market town located in the Uttlesford of Essex. It’s located around 15 miles south of Cambridge and around 43 miles north of London, which makes it an ideal location for those who want to enjoy the peace and charm of rural life while being well-connected to major cities. The town is nestled within the beautiful Essex countryside, offering residents easy access to both nature and urban conveniences.
What makes Saffron Walden a great place to live?
Here’s why Saffron Walden stands out as the best place to live in the UK in 2025:
Strong sense of community
The town boasts a close-knit, welcoming community. There are often regular events, local gatherings and community initiatives to bring people together. Saffron Walden Town Council is particularly active, hosting activities such as crafts for children in the school holidays, a Community Language Café, and Ceilidhs.
Thriving independent businesses
Saffron Walden is home to a variety of independent shops, cafés and boutiques. These businesses give the town a unique character and offer residents a more personalised shopping experience compared to larger commercial centres.
For example, Neon Leo is an award-winning pre-loved fashion store offering pieces to rent and buy. Angela Reed is a family-run furniture and home accessories shop dating back to 1880, providing high-quality furniture. There’s also Sage & Saffron delicatessen, providing excellent local produce, including cheeses, bread, coffee and cakes.
Cosy traditional pubs
For those who enjoy a traditional British pub, Saffron Walden has plenty to offer. Its historic pubs serve as the perfect spots to relax, socialise, and enjoy locally sourced food and drink in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
The Eight Bells is a highly rated timber-framed pub, offering a variety of drinks and food, with thoughtfully curated seasonal menus that cater to all kinds of diets and tastes. The Railway Arms is another popular choice and is renowned for serving some of the best cask conditioned ales and traditional pub grub in the area.
Bustling cultural scene
The town has a lively cultural scene, with theatres, galleries and regular events celebrating local art, music and theatre. Whether it’s a live performance or an art exhibition, there’s always something to inspire and entertain.
Saffron Hall is an award-winning 740-seat performance space that hosts world-class concerts, theatre, talks and more, and has seen performances from the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. The Fry Art Gallery houses a huge number of paintings, prints, illustrations and other designs from artists who have an association with the area, spanning the 20th Century to the present day. In 2025, they’re set to host an impressive programme of events to celebrate their 40th anniversary.
Outstanding schools
Families will appreciate the exceptional schools in Saffron Walden, offering excellent educational opportunities for children of all ages. The town has a range of highly regarded primary and secondary schools, making it a great choice for those looking to settle down and raise a family.
These include Katherine Semar Infant School and Katherine Semar Junior School, which both received Outstanding ratings from Ofsted, and Saffron Walden Country High School, which was also deemed to be Outstanding.
Variety of housing options
From charming period properties to modern developments, Saffron Walden offers a variety of housing options to suit different tastes and budgets. Whether you’re looking for a character-filled cottage or a spacious family home, there’s something for everyone.
According to Rightmove, the majority of property sold in the last year were terraced homes, selling for an average of £393,478. Semi-detached homes sold for an average of £465,478 and flats sold for an average price of £203,632. This is generally on par with the wider Uttlesford area as a whole, where the average property prices range from £370,915 for a terraced home to £453,590 for semi-detached homes.
Access to beautiful countryside
Saffron Walden is surrounded by breathtaking countryside, offering residents the perfect escape into nature. With rolling hills, woodlands and nature reserves on the doorstep, it’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
In addition to the many walking routes and trails accessible directly from the town, there are also many interesting outdoor destinations just a short distance away. For example, Hatfield Forest is a National Trust site located just 15 miles south of Saffron Walden, and offers 1,000 acres of open woodland, lakes and meadows to explore.
Excellent transport links
Saffron Walden is well connected, with excellent road links to major cities like Cambridge and London, with journeys taking around 30 minutes and two hours respectively. The nearby Audley End train station offers direct routes to Cambridge and London, making it an ideal location for commuters looking for a quieter place to live with quick access to these cities. From there, journeys to Cambridge by train take just 20 minutes, and to London takes an hour.
There are also plenty of regular bus services which connect Saffron Walden to Cambridge, and other local areas. London Stanstead Airport is just a 30 minute drive away for international journeys.
Moving to Saffron Walden?
Britannia Harrison & Rowley is your local Saffron Walden removals company. A family-run business, they’ve been providing expert removals and storage services in the area for over 100 years, always delivering the best possible customer experience.
You can speak to the team about your move in Saffron Walden on 01480 369458 or email removals@harrisonandrowley.co.uk.
