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15th Century Period Cottage In Saffron Walden, Essex, England

Family-friendly cottage in Saffron Walden

Photo gallery for 15th Century Period Cottage In Saffron Walden, Essex, England

Drake Cottage - rose in bloom and side gate to courtyard garden.
Sitting room
Drake Cottage from the street.
Dining room with seating for 6 and inglenook brick fireplace.
Double bedroom with ensuite shower room

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 481.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Dryer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View map
Saffron Walden, ENG
  • Place, Bridge End Gardens
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Market Square
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Audley End House
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, London (STN-Stansted)
    ‪21 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

15th Century Period Cottage In Saffron Walden, Essex, England

Chocolate box cottage in the heart of the market town of Saffron Walden and yet situated in a quiet back street and only 0.2 miles from the Market Square passing by an artisan bakery and interesting shops and restaurants along the way.

The cottage has undergone extensive renovation to include kitchen, bathroom and en-suite yet retains all of its historic character. The cottage is heavily beamed with a large inglenook fireplace to two rooms, oak floors to the downstairs. It has a small and very private courtyard garden. The property has on road parking available outside. Ideally situated to explore Saffron Walden and Cambridge and London is easily accessed by the local station Audley End which is a 5 minute drive away from the cottage. It is just perfect for two - four guests and idyllic for two.
Drake Cottage received the ROSE award from Visit England in 2022 in recognition of service excellence - only 100 hospitality venues receive the award in any year.

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Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Highchair , travel cot and stair gate available
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking is allowed outside on the patio .

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Lock the doors and return the keys
Please return keys to lock box on departure .
Please strip beds of duvet cover, pillow cases and sheet if time allows.
Please place all towels in the bathtub.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Due to the age of the house absolutely no candles or naked flames can be used in the cottage but we do provide LED flickering candles for your use
Bookings only accepted one year in advance.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Saffron Walden

Located in Saffron Walden, this cottage is in the city centre. Audley End House and Prior's Hall Barn are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Chilford Hall Vineyard and Gog Magog Golf Club. Travelling with kids? Consider Bridge End Gardens and Whoosh Explore. Spend some time exploring the area's activities, including golfing.
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Map
Saffron Walden, ENG

What's nearby

  • Bridge End Gardens - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Market Square - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Fry Art Gallery - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • The Common - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Audley End House - 3 min drive - 2.3 km

Getting around

  • Audley End Station - 5 min drive
  • London (STN-Stansted) - 20 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Temeraire - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪the Railway Arms - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪The Curious Goat - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Zafferano Lounge - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Waffle and Coffee - ‬5 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is 15th Century Period Cottage In Saffron Walden, Essex, England pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at 15th Century Period Cottage In Saffron Walden, Essex, England?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at 15th Century Period Cottage In Saffron Walden, Essex, England?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 15th Century Period Cottage In Saffron Walden, Essex, England?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is 15th Century Period Cottage In Saffron Walden, Essex, England located?

Located in the heart of Saffron Walden, this family-friendly cottage is steps away from Fry Art Gallery, Bridge End Gardens and Church of St. Mary. Market Square and The Common are also within 10 minutes.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 132 out of 139 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 139 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 139 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 139 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 139 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Karen L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect location, very high spec property, great amenities.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Helen H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely cottage

Drake Cottage is a delightful place to stay. It’s (really) old and beautifully renovated with lots of great touches for guests. It’s very close to the centre of Saffron Walden but quiet.would love to come back.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rainer A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

One of the oldest houses in Saffron Walden!

A most delightful and original cottage- very lovingly arranged for holidaymakers. Superbly equipped - nothing wanting at all!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chris H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect short break

Drake Cottage was a fabulous place to stay. Its obviously a beautiful, old, cosy cottage. But its also modern and comfortable. The kitchen in particular was excellent. It has everything you need for a proper cook. Being so close to the centre of town was a bonus. There's plenty to do in the area. We'd never thought of staying in Saffron Walden before. It's a lovely place and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nicola H.

A relaxing, hidden gem

The cottage is truly amazing. It is well equipped, cosy and relaxing. The decor is modern whilst still very complementing of the era, all the finishing touches are perfect. All the rooms were spotless. The beds were so comfortable it was a struggle to get up and explore. The location is perfect for a trip to Cambridge or London or just stay in Saffron Walden, which is a lovely town. The kitchen has everything that you could want for a weekend or a longer stay. We loved our stay here and would recommend it to everyone.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Superb Cottage

A lovely time was had by myself and my gf over the easter weekend here. The listing description was 100% accurate regarding the location, layout and facilities. The property was spotlessly clean on arrival.The owner Deb and housekeeper Lucy were very friendly and nice, giving excellent customer service from the time of arranging the booking until departing the cottage. I would highly recommend this property to anybody thinking about booking a stay here. Many fine dining restaurants to choose from close by and i can honestly say i could find no fault with the weekend we had at this lovely cottage.

10/10 Excellent

Russell P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Drake Cottage

Drake Cottage 13- 20 October Sorry for delay in responding. This in no way reflects our enjoyment of our stay in Drake Cottage. A message was left in the Cottage visitor book. We found the cottage to be everything we required in comfort and modern convenience while retaining the feeling of old-world charm. It was beautifully appointed for self-catering and was spotlessly clean. The beds, pillows and the bedding were luxurious and more comfortable than any we have ever experienced over many years of both hotel and self-catering holidays. The location of the cottage was superb for access to the town centre. it made for a most interesting and relaxing holiday venue.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marloes Ö.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Det var en helt fantastisk vistelse. Vilket otroligt hus! Charmigt och med bekväma sängar. Fint städat och boendet ligger centralt.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amelia C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This cottage is perfect - it is spotlessly clean and every convenience has been thought of and provided. The location is perfect for exploring the town and the local countryside and we were extremely comfortable. We would stay here again!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Helen S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful character property in great location. Fantastic communication from start to finish
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Paul R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A lovely, charming cottage very close to everything we needed for our trip. It is full of character and it is obvious that someone has thought about all the details. We enjoyed our time immensely.Thank you
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Patricia G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a lovely stay at Drake Cottage. The cottage is beautiful, both on the inside and on the outside. Everything is spotless, including the modern appliances. We've stayed at many vacation rentals, but this one is by far the cleanest we've seen. Everything you need is already provided for, including tape, a flashlight, soap, scissors, you name it. There's lots to see and do in and around Saffron Walden. Even a trip to London is only an hour by train from Audley End. We would have loved to stay longer, but unfortunately, our holidays were over. We will be back for sure!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ian M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Delightful cottage, well furnished and supplied with all essentials (including non-essentials like a charcoal BBQ with implements- buy your own charcoal). I thoroughly enjoyed my stay there.
Stayed 11 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cherrilyn S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We absolutely loved our stay in your cottage, it was spotlessly clean,very cosy and comfortable.We love that it was right in the centre of town so was so easy to walk everywhere.Thank you so much Sherry,Pete,Dianne and Gordon
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Françoise B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful stay in a marvellous cottage in a beautiful little town

Extraordinary cottage, very well equiped, cosy and confortable.You feel at home and it is just as though Elizabeth 1st is going to knock at your door!The town itself is delicious, with nice people : we had coffee and cake when visiting the church!Also nice shops.Easy to get to London or Cambridge by train from Audley End, and last surprise : Audley End house!Thank you Deborah and Susie, we would certainly be happy to come back and tu recommend Drake cottage
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kelly A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charming Cottage

The cottage was exactly as described. The stairs are very tricky, but we expected that. For American visitors, the appliances were tricky to operate and Google was our friend for temperatures and instructions. Saffron Walden has way more restaurants and shops than you expect, so wandering down every alley is a must. Gardens and Church are a must for striking, as well.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Peter H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Reliably Outstanding

We have stayed here several times in the past, and, whenever we are planning on visiting the family in Saffron Walden, we always look for to see if this property is available. Highly recommended, except for people with mobility issues, for whom the tight, winding staircase to the upstairs bedrooms would be an issue. Apart from that, highly recommended.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

June W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Drake Cottage

Beautiful cottage in a stunning location.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Peter H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just Excellent

We try to stay here whenever we're in Saffron Walden, visiting family. We are very pleased with the property and the helpfulness of the owner and housekeeper. My only word of caution to prospective guests is that the narrow, winding staircase is not suitable for people with mobility issues, but that would be my only real reservation.
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joseph P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely house

A lovely old house in Saffron Walden. A beautiful village, close to Cambridge.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sharon W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect!

We stayed for a few nights birthday surprise for my best friend.The cottage was perfect.Proximity to the town fantastic,no traffic noise ect..but the best part of all is the added touches that meke you feel welcome and special...all toiletries,hairdryers,milk,tea,coffee,an amnesty basket incase you have forgotten anything and then the towelling robes to sit in the gorgeous lounge watching a film with hot chocolate in hand.Id like to say thankyou for allowing us the privilege to stay in your beautiful grade 1 listed building,if those walls could talk im sure they would be happy with the loving way its been renovated. We will definitely return one day.xx
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stunning period cottage in Saffron Walden

Full of character and beautifully presented property. Comfortable, cozy, extremely well equipped. Location couldn’t be better, quiet, but short walk to all local amenities. Saffron Walden is a quintessential English town, with so much to see and explore. Would definitely return to both Drake Cottage and Saffron Walden.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Catherine C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charming Heritage Cottage

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our week's stay at Drake Cottage. The location is perfect; close enough to town to walk to the shops, cafes and restaurants, but off the main road for peace and quiet. The cottage was spotless and beautifully decorated, everything you need is provided. Deb and Lucy answered our questions quickly and efficiently. We would highly recommend a visit to this wonderful cottage in Saffron Walden!
Stayed 6 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marc M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing

Perfect ! amazing place ! fully equiped !
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Maartje B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Super leuke vakantie

Het huisje was gezellig en schattig. Het was in een leuke buurt en de locatie was erg handig
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

About the host

Hosted by Deborah Wheatley

Host profile image
This cottage was bought to be our personal bolt hole when visiting England and also a home to share with our friends and family as we currently live in Fort Lauderdale Florida. We have dual British and American citizenship having moved to the USA 23 years ago.

The cottage is our personal pride and joy and it will be a pleasure for us to share this historic cottage with you.

Why they chose this property

We fell in love with the cottage in 2012 while visiting Saffron Walden; it was so pretty with roses around the door and only a 2 minute walk from the town's restaurants and shops. We had lived in Saffron Walden before moving to Chicago, USA in 1999 and now live in Fort Lauderdale , Florida. We are very happy to have bought the cottage so we get to spend time in England.
We love Saffron Walden with its historic centre and market place and the cottage's location, though in a very quiet street, is only a few minutes from the shops, market place, pubs and restaurants making it unnecessary to drive anywhere when in town. The cottage is only 25 minutes drive from the centre of Cambridge and a 45 minute train ride to the London Underground.

What makes this property unique

If you are looking for a romantic period cottage to spend a week or weekend this cottage is a perfect match. 15th century charm with up to date plumbing, kitchen and bathrooms.

It's location between Cambridge and London make it an ideal base for visiting the UK as the Audley End train station with its regular service to both cities is a 10 minute drive away making it unnecessary to drive into the cities. It is also perfectly situated for touring the East Anglia area including Suffolk and Norfolk.

The cottage oozes character from every beam and has a very warm and welcoming atmosphere. Audley End Park is only a 5 minute walk away from the cottage meaning you can enjoy the English countryside as well as all that the town itself offers.

Languages:

English

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