Saffron Walden Museum
Saffron Walden Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Discover a world of hidden treasures in one of the country’s oldest purpose-built museums. This award-winning museum explores the archaeology, natural history and social history of north-west Essex and the wider world. Our collections include: Ancient Egypt, Archaeology, Ceramics and Glass, Costume and Textiles, Geology, Furniture and Woodwork, Local and Social History, Natural History and World Cultures. From stone axes to Samurai armour, Saxon riches to shields, spears and swords. You will also find toys, decorative arts, world cultures and even an Ancient Egyptian Mummy. At our family-friendly museum children can excavate in the archaeological sandpit, meet Wallace the Lion or explore the natural history discovery centre. With a rolling programme of special exhibitions, activities and events throughout the year, there’s always something new to see and do! Pic nic in our grounds next to the ruins of the 12th century Walden Castle or, walk to the centre of the medieval market town where you can shop, eat, relax and explore. There is a small car park and access for disabled visitors.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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  • Sylvia
    2 contributions
    Excellent
    What a gem! We thought we would kill time and spend half an hour here but what a find! Bursting with local history as well as the more obscure. The different sections went on and on and the lovely lady on reception was wonderful. Would definitely recommend.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 December 2022
  • flutefairy
    Borough of Brentwood, United Kingdom464 contributions
    An interesting museum
    The Saffron Walden museum is fairly small but has many interesting exhibits of very different kinds so I think most people could find something of interest here. The collections include local history and trades, Egyptian artefacts, china & glass, costumes, toys & games , natural history etc. Entry prices are very reasonable and the staff were friendly. A very pleasant way to spend an hour or two.
    I'm delighted to hear that you found the variety of our collections of interest and that you found our staff friendly, Flutefairy. Please be assured that I will share your feedback with everyone as they will be thrilled to read it! Thank you for acknowledging our reasonable entry prices, currently being: £2.50 for adults, £1.25 for concessions and free for children under 18 years of age. We look forward to welcoming you again soon. Wendy-Jo Atter
    Written 6 October 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 25 August 2023
  • Carlaconsort
    Oswestry, United Kingdom124 contributions
    First and Foremost Time Portal
    Unassuming red brick edifice nestling in the picturesque supreme township of Saffron Walden it conceals a conucopia of astounding historical artefacts. All displayed and annotated in exemplary fashion that takes one on a fascinating journey through time. Every cabinet is a feast for the eyes, whether it be Viking brooches or camel teapots ! To be commended is the availability of a quite large lift for those of us no longer so limber of limb ! The custodians are most friendly and helpful too. I have been to the Ashmolean and the British Museum, this on a smaller scale is just as worthy. A must see for even the most casual of time travellers.
    I'm delighted to hear that you had such an interesting visit and were well looked after by the team here at Saffron Walden Museum, Carlaconsort. Please be assured that I will share your feedback with everyone as they will be thrilled to read it! It is fantastic for us to receive such positive feedback. All customer comments, good or bad, are welcomed and thanks to you, we get to hear what's working (and occasionally, how we might do better). Thank you for acknowledging our lift. The museum building and grounds have been designed to be as accessible as possible: There is a small visitor car park with one designated parking bay for disabled users. The museum is fully accessible to wheelchair users via the ramp, lift and stair lifts. Small mobility scooters can be used on the ground floor. The museum has a wheelchair available for visitors to use. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our service so it's gratifying to know that we're getting it right and that our customers are genuinely enjoying their visit to Saffron Walden Museum. We look forward to welcoming you again soon. Wendy-Jo Atter
    Written 6 October 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 27 September 2023
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4.5
161 reviews
Excellent
115
Very good
41
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
0

Trudie T
Saffron Walden, UK18 contributions
Oct 2023 • Business
My first visit when we took a group of Brownies the teasures are varied, precious, and so interesting, something for everyone. The staff were friendly, helpful and patience they provided a fabulous craft for the girls which suited all abilities.
Will return with my husband
Written 20 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Carlaconsort
Oswestry, UK124 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Unassuming red brick edifice nestling in the picturesque supreme township of Saffron Walden it conceals a conucopia of astounding historical artefacts. All displayed and annotated in exemplary fashion that takes one on a fascinating journey through time. Every cabinet is a feast for the eyes, whether it be Viking brooches or camel teapots ! To be commended is the availability of a quite large lift for those of us no longer so limber of limb ! The custodians are most friendly and helpful too. I have been to the Ashmolean and the British Museum, this on a smaller scale is just as worthy. A must see for even the most casual of time travellers.
Written 27 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm delighted to hear that you had such an interesting visit and were well looked after by the team here at Saffron Walden Museum, Carlaconsort. Please be assured that I will share your feedback with everyone as they will be thrilled to read it! It is fantastic for us to receive such positive feedback. All customer comments, good or bad, are welcomed and thanks to you, we get to hear what's working (and occasionally, how we might do better). Thank you for acknowledging our lift. The museum building and grounds have been designed to be as accessible as possible: There is a small visitor car park with one designated parking bay for disabled users. The museum is fully accessible to wheelchair users via the ramp, lift and stair lifts. Small mobility scooters can be used on the ground floor. The museum has a wheelchair available for visitors to use. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our service so it's gratifying to know that we're getting it right and that our customers are genuinely enjoying their visit to Saffron Walden Museum. We look forward to welcoming you again soon. Wendy-Jo Atter
Written 6 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

smallbusinesowner
Welwyn, UK2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Kept my interest. Great mix of items. Nothing dull about this place, every area is wow. This museum isn’t living in the past.
Written 28 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What a wonderful review title, thank you, smallbusinesowner. I'm delighted to hear that the variety of our collections kept your interest. Indeed “This museum isn’t living in the past” we have a rolling programme of special exhibitions, activities and events throughout the year, there’s always something new to see and do! We look forward to welcoming you again soon. Wendy-Jo Atter
Written 6 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

flutefairy
Borough of Brentwood, UK464 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
The Saffron Walden museum is fairly small but has many interesting exhibits of very different kinds so I think most people could find something of interest here. The collections include local history and trades, Egyptian artefacts, china & glass, costumes, toys & games , natural history etc. Entry prices are very reasonable and the staff were friendly. A very pleasant way to spend an hour or two.
Written 25 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm delighted to hear that you found the variety of our collections of interest and that you found our staff friendly, Flutefairy. Please be assured that I will share your feedback with everyone as they will be thrilled to read it! Thank you for acknowledging our reasonable entry prices, currently being: £2.50 for adults, £1.25 for concessions and free for children under 18 years of age. We look forward to welcoming you again soon. Wendy-Jo Atter
Written 6 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Lorna H
Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom55 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
A brilliant museum. So much to see, everything set out really well and informative. Activities for children. Lovely friendly staff. Go and visit!
Written 6 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm delighted to hear that you found the museum to be set out really well and informative, Lornah137. Thank you for acknowledging our activities; in addition to the regular family activities that we run, we will be offering 2 different adult creative activities during the month of December. You can find out what’s on at the Museum on our website and, Facebook and Twitter. We offer online event and activity booking via our page on Art Tickets. We look forward to welcoming you again soon. Wendy-Jo Atter
Written 6 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Henry G
Saffron Walden, UK2 contributions
May 2023
Our local Museum. Impressive Egyptology collection. The kids love it, particularly the taxidermy lion.
Written 31 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I’m pleased to read that you find our Egyptology collection impressive, henrygA7955FS, the museum’s Ancient Cultures collection certainly does feature an impressive Egyptology collection, ranging from pre-dynastic to Ptolemaic and consisting almost entirely of objects from tombs and burials. Among the more unusual items are the coffins of two Theban priests, a Middle Kingdom stele, a rare double block statue and a pottery figure vase in the image of Hathor. Examples of textiles used as mummy wrappings are also represented, along with the mummified remains of a young boy. I'm delighted that your kids love it here, particularly our taxidermy lion, he is one of the highlights of our collection! In a former life, Wallace had been a star in George Wombwell’s nineteenth-century traveling menagerie of exotic beasts and birds. Born in Edinburgh in 1812, Wallace was the first African lion to be bred in England and was perhaps named after William Wallace, the Scottish freedom fighter. It was almost certainly this particular Wallace that inspired Marriott Edgar's poem "The Lion and Albert" which relates the quaintly vicious story of a young boy named Albert who was eaten by a lion at the zoo. As we are your local Museum, we look forward to welcoming you all again soon. Wendy-Jo Atter
Written 6 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

StarGuvna T
Cambridge, UK434 contributions
Feb 2023 • Family
This is a very fashionable, peaceful and interesting museum to look at for a point of interest but that it’s fairly small looking around here doesn’t last that long that’s the only thing it’s a tiny little Musuem and there’s just not quite enough to spend time here. But apart from that it’s beautifully historical as well with the props and older things you see here so it’s great look at this place for history and obvious discovery.
Written 21 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Malcolm
22 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
Excellent collection of artefact. Don't expect a slick curated experience but a great array of objects from a surprisingly wide variety of periods
Written 29 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sylvia
2 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
What a gem! We thought we would kill time and spend half an hour here but what a find! Bursting with local history as well as the more obscure. The different sections went on and on and the lovely lady on reception was wonderful. Would definitely recommend.
Written 28 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stuart H
1 contribution
Nov 2022 • Friends
First of all... What a fantastic well kept museum.

Helpful friendly volunteers/staff, I've lived near Saffron Walden for 10+ years and didn't know this was here.

The exhibits are very informative and I could easily of spent 3-4 hours looking and reading the information provided.

So much stuff to look at, great for all ages!!

We will definitely be back..

We popped in on a Saturday afternoon.
Written 19 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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SAFFRON WALDEN MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Saffron Walden Museum

Saffron Walden Museum is open:
  • Sun - Sun 14:00 - 17:00
  • Wed - Sat 10:00 - 17:00