THE CROSS KEYS HOTEL | SAFFRON WALDEN
| Local Attractions | ||
Saffron Walden has it's fair share of in-town attractions as well as some a little further afield. Here are a few suggestions of places to visit during your stay in the Cross Keys Hotel. Information about all attractions can be acquired from the Saffron Walden Tourist Information Centre, 1 Market Place, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1HR
|
||
| Saffron Walden Museum |  |
|
Displays show local history, archaeology, geology, and natural history with a discovery cantre, costume and needlework, dolls and toys, ceramics and glass and 'Worlds of Man' cultures from peoples of the past - plus Ancient Egypt, Wallace the Lion and other surprises! Exhibitions, events and activities for all ages and interests from pre-school to adult. Grounds with castle ruins and parking suitable for summer picnics. Close to the heart of the beautiful mediaeval market town of Saffron Walden. Open: March - October Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm Address: Museum Street, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1JL
|
||
| Duxford Imperial War Museum |  |
|
| Tel: 01223 835000 | ||
| Saffron Walden Maze |  |
|
| Saffron Walden Turf Maze |  |
|
Saffron Walden in Essex has the largest publicly owned turf maze in England. It is 35m in diameter and the path to the centre is 1,500m long! Of uncertain origin, the chalk path has been recut several times and is now laid with brick. The path is narrow and demands concentration. Walking it brings on a feeling of dizzyness and detatchment from the surroundings. Of easy access, as it is on the town's common at TL 543385, this beautiful and complete labyrinth has a raised bank surrounding it and a central mound with a socket like depression which may have held a maypole or simlar focus. The very long path winds back on itself constantly and extends into four outlying corners. A must see and do!
|
||
| St Mary's Church |  |
|
| The Fry Art Gallery |  |
|
The Fry Public Art Gallery was opened in 1987 and houses an impressive number of pintings, prints, illustrations, wallpapers and decorative designs by artists of the 20th century and the present day who have local connections and have made a significant contribution to their field. There is an emphasis on those who for a variety of reasons settled in Great Bardfield between the early thirties of the last century and the death in 1983 of John Aldridge RA who had lived in the village for fifty years. Edward Bawden RA who, with his friend Eric Ravilious, discovered Bardfield a year before the arrival of Aldridge and dominated the scene for almost four decades, is represented by nearly 500 items. The gallery was designed to house the collection of Francis Gibson, a locla business man who dies in 1859, and the building pased by descent to the Fry family, who lease it to the Fry Art Gallery Society. Opening hours: Tesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 2:00pm to 5:00pm from Easter Sunday to the last Sunday of October inclusive and on Bank Holidays during this period. Group Visits outside these times are very welcome by arrangement. Address: The Fry Art Gallery, Castle Street, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1BD
|
||
| Mole Hall Wildlife Park |  |
|
Relax in 20 acres of grounds and deer meadow in idyllic surroundings. Get up close and feed deer, ducks and Pet's Corner. Many animals and birds from otters, chimps, wallabies, and flamingos, to owls, free roaming rabbits, guinnea pigs and more! Beautiful Tropical Pavilion; butterflies, monkeys and spiders, snakes, aquatic life in pools. Straw mountain and straw castle, Squirty Maze, Play, Tiny-Tots, Picnic, Cafe and gift-shop. Opening Hours: 10:00am to 5:30pm Daily except Christmas Day. Open until dusk in winter. Address: Mole Hall Wildlife Park, Widdington, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 3SS
|
||
| The Fitzwilliam Museum |  |
|
Magnificent world-class collections of art and antiquities spanning centuries and civilizations, housed in a museum which opened to the public in 1848. Displays include masterpieces by such artists as Titian, Rubens, Van Dyck, Canaletto, Constable, Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, and Picasso, drawings, prints and portrait miniatures, sculpture, furniture, clocks, ceramics, silver, armour, coins and medals, illuminated manuscripts, arts of the Far and Near East and aniquities from Egypt, the Ancient Near East, Greece, Rome and Cyprus. Opening Times: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm; Sunday 12:00pm to 5:00pm. Closed Mondays (Except Bank Holidays, open Sunday hours). Closed Good Friday and 24th, 25th, 26th & 31st December plus 1st January. Admission price: Free Address: The Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1RB
|
||
| Anglo American War Memorial |  |
|
The Anglo-American War Memorial was officially dedicated on August 13, 1955, by Field Marshal the Viscount Montgomery of Alamein with Major General Roscoe C. Wilson, Commander, Third United States Air Force to the memory of all the 65th Fighter Wings Groups whose men lost their lives during WWII. This included the 4th Fighter Group (Debden), the 56th (Boxted), the 355th (Steeple Morden), the 361st (Bottingsham) and the 479th (Wattisham).
|
||
| Bridge End Gardens |  |
|
Bridge End Garden is situated on the north side of Saffron Walden and is an attractive tranquil oasis where the visitor can discover gardening and building techniques and designs typical of the Victorian era. The garden is listed grade 2 and is very important visually and historically. It was set out from the beginning of the 19th century by the Gibson family who were eminent bankers in the town at that time. Much of what you see was laid out from the mid 19th century by Francis Gibson who elaborated upon his father's work and created long vistas terminating in statues and pavilions. You can, in part, discover the history of the garden yourself by looking for plaques in the walls of varying dates. The garden is divided into a number of enclosures, rather like the rooms of a house, each with a different design and fulfilling a different landscape function. One f these is the Dutch Gaden, which consists of geometric swirls of box that can be best seen from the viewing platform. What you see today is the design as drawn in a sketch by the famous Edwardian garden designer Gertrude Jekyll when she visited in about 1914. There is also the Wilderness Area, Poets Corner, the Walled Garden, the Central Lawn and the Maze area. The latter is particularly worthwhile visiting and, like the Dutch Garden, is best seen from it's own viewing platform. The Garden is open to the public, free of charge. Opening times of the Walled Garden and the Maze may vary depending on season and circumstance, it is best to check with the Tourist Information Centre in the Market Square, Saffron Walden. The Tourist Information Centre can also advise about group visits.
|
||
| Stansted Mountfitchet Castle & Norman Village of 1066 |  |
|
Mountfitchet Castle is a unique history time capsule. With it;s commanding position overlooking the Stort Valley, Mountfitchet Castle is situated on it's original site which is steeped in history. Formerly nd Iron Age hillfort, this historic site was also a Roman signals fort and later a Saxon and Viking settlement before being attacked in 1066 by the army of William The Conqueror who built is wooden motte and bailey castle here. This world famous, historically accurate reconstructed castle enables the visitor to travel back in time to 1066 Norman England. Explore the Castle and roam through the Norman Village hidden behind the caslte walls, wander in and out of the many houses and view the scenes, smell the log fires burning and experience the ambience of an ancient bygone lifestyle - a living history, hands-on and interactive experience. Mingle with the animals that roam frely throughout the castle grounds and listen out for the echoes of long-forgotten voices... Opening times: March - November 10:00am to 5:00pm Address: Mountfitchet Castle, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, CM24 8SP
|
||
| House On The Hill Toy Museum |  |
|
The House on the Hill Toy Museum is one of our country's most popular visitor attractions. It contains the largest toy collection in the world with toys from the Victorian era right up to the 1980's. Over 80,000 individual items from model railways, lead and tin toys, Meccano, Acton Man and Sindy to Raleigh Choppers, teddy bears, annuals, games, dolls and dolls houses. If you liked Thunderbirds, Star Wars, The Six Million Dollar Man and Barbie then you'll love the toy musem. Also at the House on the Hill Toy Museum is the collectors' shop where you can buy or sll items from yesteryear ranging from historical items and toys to rock 'n' roll memorabilia. As you make your way up the hill to the Toy Museum, encounter the life size dinosaurs guarding the entrance and beware the pterodactyl ready to swoop down and attack... Address: Mountfitchet Castle, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, CM24 8SP
|
||
| Kings College - Cambridge |  |
|
Kings College Cambridge welcomes visitors to see it's world famous chapel, and to walk around the grounds. You are also welcome to attend services which are held daily during accademic terms. The college was founded by Henry VI in 1441 and originally was to have a Provost (It's head) and 70 poor scholars, drawn exclusively from Eton College, Henry's other foundation near Windsor. Kings is a working college, and today has about 400 undergraduates (students), 200 graduates and over 100 Fellows (tutor). Most of these live and study here; for this reason the Chapel is the only building open to the public. Visitors to the chapel will be given a leaflet, part of which takes them on a tour of the grounds, identifying and describing the various buildings. The outstanding architecture of the chapel, together wih the artistry of Kings College Choir, have spread the fame of the Chapel worldwide. The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, which is broadcast on Christmas Eve, and some televised services, have made the Chapel one of the most recognisable buildings in England. Opening Hours: Tour available through the Cambridge Tourist Office: Check opening details with the Tourist Liaison Officer
|
||
| Linton Zoo |  |
|
The emphasis is on conservation and education while providing an enjoyable family day out! There is lots to see including lions, tigers, snow leopards, zebra, tapir, tamarin monkeys, lemurs, wallabies, parrots, owls, snake, giant tortoises, and much more set in 16 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. Various activities, keeper talks and animal encounters at weekends and school holidays. Winners of Best For Kids in Cambridge and Cambridgeshire Family Attraction of the Year. Opening: All year except 25th / 26th December
|
||