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Saffron Walden
Things to do in Saffron Walden
Saffron Walden Museum

Saffron Walden Museum: Hours, Address, Saffron Walden Museum Reviews: 4.5/5

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Saffron Walden Museum

See all things to do
See all things to do
Saffron Walden Museum
4.5
147
#3 of 17 things to do in Saffron Walden
Speciality Museums • Ancient Ruins
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10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
2:00 PM - 4:30 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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Popular mentions
4.5
147 reviews
Excellent
103
Very good
39
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
0
GX_Traveller01
Gerrards Cross, UK85 contributions
A Gem of a Place
Apr 2022
a gem of a place with so much inside to see and enjoy - wish we had given ourselves more time. Someone described it as a Tardis (bigger inside than appears from outside)
Written 19 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Derbyshire Birdwatcher
1 contribution
Well worth the effort to visit
Mar 2022
An excellent museum with an extensive collection. The local interest section is particularly good, covering habitation, land use, industry and the people of the area. The sections on other parts of the world are fair, and are clearly aimed at teaching school students. A bit of a tardis; bigger inside than it appears from the outside. We needed about 2 hours to look over most of the exhibits.
Written 7 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Bee
England20 contributions
Saffron Walden Museum
Mar 2022
A reasonably priced museum to visit and full of interesting facts, memorbilia etc about the wonderful town of Saffron Walden
Written 17 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ballinora4
Cork, Ireland132 contributions
Well worth a visit
Feb 2022 • Couples
This museum in the centre of Saffron Walden is one of the best local museums I’ve ever visited. Fascinating collection of local artefacts, along with an eclectic array of colonial-era displays. And more!
Written 21 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
James C
1 contribution
Great museum!
Feb 2022 • Couples
The museum had an enormous variety of interesting objects, and was well worth the entrance fee! We came for Wallace the lion, but were amazed by the range of exhibits. We especially liked the natural history section. Would definitely return!
Written 12 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
local
Stroud, UK7 contributions
very interesting
Aug 2021
We did not have a great deal of time and would have liked to spend longer as we enjoyed learning about Saffron Walden and the surounding area
Written 6 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
SaffronWaldenMuseum
Thank you for taking the time to post a review upfromsumerset. We are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed learning about Saffron Walden and the surrounding area when you visited. We look forward to welcoming you back, when you have longer time to spend exploring our other galleries.
Written 1 December 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
racer458037
Richmond, UK10 contributions
Ok museum first but few seconds kind of marred visit for a few moments after
Aug 2020
The museum itself was ok but what i was less than impressed with was when i went to pay to get in. As the Art Fund Art Pass has so many 50% attractions, and as it made no mention on the price board at the time, i thought nothing that after showing for 2-3 seconds both sides of the pass he asked for a couple of pounds. i gave and then he gave me directions. i walked off and as i take my time in museums, 20 seconds later two women about 5/6 metres away were paying who also presented two Art Passes. Helpdesk guy said "ahhh yes, two Art Passes" and walked off without being asked for money. Perplexed by this i went back to the counter and said "well i've just shown my Art Pass, that should get me in for free if they just have then shouldn't it?". Reply, "yes an Art Pass does." I showed the card again and he morbidly hesitatingly said "w w wwwwwwwell i thought it was a student card". SMH, i didn't at the time but the stupidity of not checking, asking and assuming in such a carefree lax way still gets me today i shown BOTH sides remember, name side first with a cursory flick of the other side. Anyway, money refunded and now in for free.... Had those 2 women not been there, i'd have been charged. I sometimes if the attraction is good donate a bit of money regardless. Not this time, i enjoyed the museum to a point with it's elcletic mix but having that did annoy me for a couple of minutes after and had it not been an alright museum i'd have no problems giving 1 star because you should leave a museum happy, not annoyed. Mistakes happen but being ripped off, is the number 1 way to annoy me. When you come to pay, if you have the same guy i did, be switched on or he will have you aswell.
Written 2 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
SaffronWaldenMuseum
Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to your comments, racer458037. I am sorry that the customer service you experienced upon arrival marred your visit. Please be assured that it was a genuine mistake. Our Welcome volunteer did not intentionally charge you the £2.50 entry fee. Art Fund passholders are eligible for free entry, along with several other passholders of which there are too many to list on the Price Board. However, please be assured that the new cashless payment system - introduced only recently - includes an electronic till which has all the eligible passholders listed on the free entry category. All staff and Welcome volunteers are currently undergoing training on this system. I am glad to see that you received a refund and that you enjoyed the eclectic mix at the Museum.
Written 9 December 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
CharlieW
27 contributions
Has a stuffed lion
Jan 2020
" My family recently moved to the area and my dad told me to come to the museum to learn about the local area. I got in for free as I was under 18. Has an extensive collection with an exhibit about the town, 1 about china, and other collections include ancient Egypt and a historic international cultural exhibit which includes a shark tooth pick that was found by Captain Cook on his journey to Tahiti. The museum has the local legend Wallace the lion that lived in a private zoo and when he died was stuffed and shown at the museum. Can interest all ages for kids there is the kids zone and for the adults the local history area or local wildlife may be more of an interest"!
Written 19 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
SaffronWaldenMuseum
Welcome to the area brentfordboy123 Thank you so much for taking the time to post your review. We hope to welcome you back again soon; we have a rolling programme of special exhibitions, activities and events throughout the year, there's always something new to see and do!
Written 1 December 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
marchantcolin
Eastbourne, UK4 contributions
AN EXCELLENT MUSEUM
Jan 2020
The museum was full of interesting items and facts - well displayed - and well explained.
The cost was very reasonable considering the size of the mueum.
Written 25 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
SaffronWaldenMuseum
Thank you very much for taking the time to post this review marchantcolin. We are so glad that you found the Museum both interesting and affordable and look forward to welcoming you back again.
Written 1 December 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Caseylou
Haverhill, UK16 contributions
Excellent museum! 🤗
Aug 2019 • Family
We visited on Sunday my dad found it and we didn’t even know it was here,but we were glad we did find it. As soon as you go in you can choose your own hat and backpack full with goodies including a magnifying glass,books,toys,chalk board,a animal toy,etc. You can also have your own chart of the things to find around the museum. We had fun looking round and at 1 part you could put bones and animals under a microscope and have a close up look at them. I really enjoyed looking at the details on some stinging nettles! There is also a sandpit where you can dig up tons of different old stuff that has been around for years. Next to it is also a colouring table where me and my brother coloured some animals in. We had a really good time and everyone was friendly. It is also very cheap to get in. The toilets were immaculate and super clean. I really enjoyed my time here. 😁😊😁
Written 12 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
SaffronWaldenMuseum
Thank you so much for taking the time to write your detailed review UnicornChill_xoxo We are so pleased that you had fun during your visit. The museum has a rolling programme of special exhibitions, activities and events throughout the year - including Museums at Night - which we think you and your brother would particularly enjoy. We look forward to welcoming you back.
Written 1 December 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Saffron Walden Museum
Saffron Walden Museum is open:
  • Sun - Sun 14:00 - 16:30
  • Wed - Sat 10:00 - 16:30