Saffron Walden

The 12th-century Walden Castle, built or expanded by Geoffrey de Mandeville, the first Earl of Essex, is in ruins. After the medieval period, the castle fell into disuse and much of the flint was taken and used in the construction of local houses and the wall surrounding the Audley End estate. All that remains is the ruined basement.


Near the castle is a turf maze, a series of circular excavations cut into the turf of the common. It is the largest example of this style of maze in England, the main part being about 100 feet (30 m) in diameter. The earliest record of it dates from 1699, although its origin may be earlier. It has been extensively restored several times, most recently in 1979.^[19][20]


The oldest inhabited building in the town is believed to be the former maltings at 1 Myddleton Place. The 15th-century building with a courtyard garden was used by the Youth Hostel Association from 1947 to 2010.^[21] It is now used for functions.^[22] Pevsner described it as: "without doubt, the best medieval house of Saffron Walden".^[23] Other notable early buildings are in Bridge Street, Castle Street and the side streets off the High Street. The High Street contains some late-Georgian and Victorian buildings.^[23]


Bridge End Gardens, seven interlinked gardens – including a maze, rose garden and walled garden – were originally laid out by the Gibson family in about 1840. They have been restored with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund and volunteers.^[24][25]


St Mary the Virgin, Saffron Walden (Church of England) is the largest parish church in Essex.^[26] The church dates mainly from the end of the 15th century, when an old smaller church was extensively rebuilt by the master mason John Wastell, who was building King's College Chapel in the nearby city of Cambridge. In 1769 it was damaged by lightning and the repairs, carried out in the 1790s, removed many medieval features. The spire was added in 1832 to replace an older lantern tower. The church is 183 feet (56 m) long and the spire, 193 feet (59 m) high, is the tallest in Essex.


The town's Catholic church, Our Lady of Compassion, is on Castle Street. Created in 1906 from a 16th-century barn, it was restored in 2004–5.^[27]


With a long history of non-conformism, Saffron Walden has:


^[28]

Saffron Walden falls in to three local government administrative areas, including Uttlesford District Council and Essex County Council.


The town itself is administered by Saffron Walden Town Council which has 18 members.^[29] The majority party is Residents for Uttlesford ('R4U'), who are a local political party formed by residents. As of 2023 the mayor is Heather Asker of Residents for Uttlesford.


The town is divided into four parish wards: Audley, named after Audley End House - representing the western area of Saffron Walden including Audley End; Castle - taking its name from Saffron Walden Castle; Shire (formerly Plantation) - representing the southern area of the town; and Little Walden - representing the small village of the same name and a large rural area to the north of the town.


Nationally, the town is part of the much larger Saffron Walden Parliamentary constituency. The MP is Conservative, Kemi Badenoch who is Secretary of State for International Trade.


Notable former MPs include:


It has been considered a safe seat for the Conservative Party since 1922.