In addition to the Archway Guest House, we stayed at the Cross Keys Inn in Saffron Walden. The Cross Keys is located on the main street through Saffron Walden (High Street) and was a great evening. In addition to available rooms, the Cross Keys has a beautiful traditional pub frequented by locals on the first floor complete with open fireplaces and a very cozy feeling. The Cross Keys boasts an interesting history as it was the 'Whalebone' Inn when Oliver Cromwell's officers stayed there. Additionally, room 6 is reputed to be haunted and is subsequently closed to guests. The staff was the most polite of any of the hotels on our recent trip (3) and we loved this Inn (we saw no evidence of a ghost, but we weren't in room 6!). The price was 15 pounds less than Archway and the comfort comparable. If you retire early, the noise from the pub on weekends may bother you but it didn't us as it was a congenial, convivial atmosphere. A different experience altogether from Archway guest house but... more