Saffron Walden and Little Walden

The walk begins besides the town car park and goes through a number of streets to arrive in Bridge End Gardens. Time should be taken to visit these fine gardens, where the hedged maze is based on the one at Hampton Court. You could add a little distance on to your walk by working your way around the maze before starting out proper. The gardens are also home to the Fry Art Gallery, which is open during weekend afternoons throughout the summer. The gallery houses a unique collection of works of the main artists who were part of the artistic unity that flourished in and around the nearby village of Great Bardfield around the time of World War II.

Now, on to the St Mary the Virgin church, which has 12 bells and a spire 200 feet (61 metres) high. In size, it is the second largest church in Essex, with a length of 184 feet (54 metres). The north chapel contains brasses removed from the earlier church and the National Memorial to Lord Butler, who as Minister of Education, brought in the 1946 Education Act and whose Garter Banner hangs above the memorial.

The museum in the castle grounds houses a most interesting collection of items found in the town throughout the ages and from across the world. It is open daily and is well worth a visit. Here you will see the items found in archaeological digs, including ornaments found in local the Saxon cemetery. There is also a collection of humming birds and fine collections from the Australian Maori and Pacific peoples. Beyond the museum are a few stone walls, all that now remain of the 12th century Walden Castle.

Further on, you pass the Sun Inn, with its gable front, magnificent plasterwork, and stories of exciting days in the Civil War. It is said that Oliver Cromwell stayed here with Thomas Fairfax, when they met the Commissioners of Parliament and tried in vain to settle the quarrel with the army.

In Myddlyton Place, a fine 15th century house (once a malting) now houses Saffron Walden Youth Hostel. At this spot looking north towards Cambridge, the land rises gently with the south facing slope and it is here that the saffron fields were. Proceeding downhill along the High Street, you can see ahead the avenue of London plane trees, which brings a touch of the countryside to the centre of the town.

The information centre is worth a visit, and you can obtain a leaflet, which gives details of some of the magnificent listed buildings in Saffron Walden. Finally, you reached the common where, in the far right hand corner, there is a turf maze.

Leaving the town and walking up Pound Walk there are fine views over the surrounding countryside and the hills of north Essex. You are now following the Harcamlow Way, a 141 mile walk which explores much of the Essex and neighbouring Cambridgeshire countryside. Luckily you only follow it a short distance before parting with it at Butler's Farm.

From Butler's Farm, you follow a fine hedged green lane. Then, by turning west, a good track leads along the top of a ridge with wide views. From here, a firm track leads downhill with extensive views over the village of Little Walden. Pass a large lake and then visit the Crown Public House and the village green.

Returning uphill the way is by tracks and beside Woods with fine views to join the track from Birds Farm to return to the car park in Saffron Walden at the start of the walk.