The charming town near Cambridge with a ‘real jewel’ garden you can visit

In 2025, the town was named as the best place to live in the UK

Many will get to enjoy a long weekend over the bank holiday. If you are thinking of things to do, there are many places near Cambridgeshire that you can venture out to for a day trip.

One of these is Saffron Walden, on the Cambridgeshire border in Essex. The quaint town was named as the best place to live in the UK last year, with plenty of reasons to make this a well-earned title.

Saffron Walden is full of cute independent shops and cafes, as well as historic buildings. One of its most historic buildings is St Mary’s Church, which is the largest parish church in Essex.

The church stands at the heart of the medieval town. The church has stood the test of time, as it is over 800 years old.

However, in 2023 it was struck by lightning and part of the church was badly damaged. On May 5, 2023, lightning struck the church’s tower.

Luckily, there was no damage to the structure of the church, but electronic items in the church were damaged and had to be replaced. One of the items damaged in the storm was a mechanism which stops the clock from sounding at night.

Other great parts to visit in Saffron Walden include Bridge End Garden. This is described as a “real jewel” and an “environment of great charm”, according to the Visit Saffron Walden website.

This is the perfect place for any gardening enthusiast, as it replicates garden techniques and designs from the Victorian era. Another beautiful green space to visit while in Saffron Walden is its common, which is one of the town’s oldest open spaces.

Just a 28-minute drive from Cambridge, Saffron Walden is the perfect day out in the sunshine.