Saffron Walden named one of the best places to live

After being crowned the best place to live in the UK in 2025, Saffron Walden has once again earned a spot on the Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2026 list. Described as ‘medieval yet increasingly modern’, and enjoying a ‘cool new lease of life’, the town has been praised for its vibrant independent shops and cafes, excellent schools, beautiful countryside and gardens, easy access to Cambridge and London, and its fantastic community spirit and wealth of volunteer-led activities and organisations.

The article acknowledges, however, that ‘with high desirability come high house prices and Saffron Walden certainly has those, with property values significantly above the national average and some locals now being priced out’.

We were pleased to see the work of the almshouses recognised: ‘The King Edward VI Almshouse Charity provides a vital service for Saffron Walden and surrounding villages, offering a variety of one and two-bedroom affordable homes for local people on a low income. The charity has received planning permission for up to 16 energy-efficient homes and is now fundraising for the build.’

Further information about our plans for the future is available on our Project Crocus pages.