Saffron Walden, a picturesque town in Essex, has been crowned the best place to live in the UK according to this year’s Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide. On March 21, 2025, the announcement was made, and Saffron Walden surpassed 71 other locations, receiving high praise for its “knockout” good looks and vibrant community spirit.
Judges from The Sunday Times visited each of the 72 shortlisted towns, assessing various criteria crucial for gauging the quality of life. Factors included educational facilities, accessibility to transport, broadband speeds, cultural offerings, access to green spaces, and the health of the local high street. Helen Davies, the Best Places to Live editor, remarked, “It is easy to feel overwhelmed by everything going on in the world, but there really is so much to celebrate as we look closer to home.”
The charming town of Saffron Walden boasts excellent commuter links to both London and Cambridge, making it an attractive option for families and professionals looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The area is particularly known for its top-tier state schools and a burgeoning food scene that showcases local produce, reflecting a culture of community support and pride.
Visitors to Saffron Walden can enjoy its bustling weekly markets. On Tuesdays, a traditional market caters to local needs, while Saturdays draw a larger crowd for a cosmopolitan experience. As noted by the local tourism board, Visit Saffron Walden, “The Tuesday market is traditional for locals and Saturday is the busy cosmopolitan market day.” Here, stalls offer a variety of goods, including cheese, fruits, vegetables, olives, breads, and even Spanish delicacies, all while bursting with community energy.
Locally renowned chef Jamie Oliver has been known to patronize several stalls, lending his support to the vibrant market scene. His presence highlights the communal commitment to celebrate local produce and cooking, fostering an atmosphere of culinary delight that shines through the town's award-winning food culture.
Saffron Walden’s name has a historical twist, originally being called Walden, it adopted its current name in the early 1500s to honor the thriving saffron industry stimulated by a royal charter from Henry VIII. The area had long been a key supplier of the spice, which was highly valuable, making it a focus of local economies. The laborious process of saffron harvesting requires tremendous care; it takes about 150 flowers to produce just a single gram of saffron. Moreover, the crop was so valuable that it was said to be worth more than its weight in gold.
Beyond its culinary heritage, Saffron Walden has historical significance in the English lexicon as well. The word “topical” is derived from John Harvey, an astrologer from Saffron Walden, whose writings in the late 1500s contributed to the early use of the term. This connection to linguistic history adds yet another layer to the town's rich cultural tapestry.
The awards list this year features an eclectic mix of locations, from remote villages in Wales to bustling urban suburbs, reflecting the varying aspirations of residents across the UK. Davies emphasized that “high house prices are no barrier to inclusion – as long as they provide value for money,” underscoring the diverse characteristics people seek when choosing a place to call home.
Ultimately, Saffron Walden stands as a testament to the heart of British small-town life, showcasing an impressive blend of history, culture, and community pride. As the recognized best place to live in the UK, it offers residents a location to be proud of, filled with amenities and charm that define quality living today.
