The stunning town in eastern England has been chosen by experts as the best place to live in the country. The Sunday Times was the perfect place to live in the UK in 2025, beating 72 other spots across the country, including Tilly and Seven Oaks.
The judges said Saffron Walden was chosen as “a historic look of knockouts with excellent state schools, rich cultural offerings and an explosive foodie scene.” The 36-year-old Indoblet and a trainee psychotherapist left London in the town of Essex in 2021 with her husband and children, comparing it to her French holiday destination.
She said: “In the summer it's like everyone is crushed and in the south of France. It really has a great vibe.”
Henry Lowe, 69, lived in Australia for 10 years, now says he will never leave the town of Essex.
Saffron Walden holds a countryside exterior and medieval building. These include the oldest residential buildings – original malt dating back to the 15th century. There is also a grass maze that appears in 1699 and a stunning park-bridge end garden founded in 1840.
According to Visitsaffronwalden, there are many “great independent shops and cafes” and the square has a market twice weekly in 900 years. There are a few things to do in the nearby area, including visiting Audrey Endhouse, the Audrey End Miniature Railway, the Saffron Walden Museum, the Fly Art Gallery, and the Saffron Music Hall.
According to RightMove and Zoopla, Saffron Walden property has an overall average price of £441,000. The average home price in the UK is £268,000.
The Sunday Times Expert Jury Panel also selected local winners.
Wales – Gower Peninsula, Swansea
Northern Ireland – Dundrum, County Down
Scotland – North Barwick, East Lothian
London – Walthamstow
East – Chelmsford, Essex
Midlands – Ilmington, Warwickshire
Northeast – Ilkley, West Yorkshire
Northwest – Liverpool, Wooln
Southeast – Petersfield, Hampshire
Southwest – Tuvalley, Somerset
