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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

Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Outdoor dining
Exterior
Dining
Property grounds
Nestled in the heart of Saffron Walden, Drake Cottage is a charming retreat with historic character. With its large inglenook fireplace, oak floors and heavily beamed ceilings, this cottage exudes warmth and coziness. Unwind in the private courtyard garden or explore the nearby Market Square with artisan bakery and interesting shops.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 481 sq m

Popular amenities

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

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About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

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.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Fan
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: Smoking is allowed outside on the patio .

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In the city centre

Things to do

  • Golf
  • Golfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 875 square feet

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  • Washer
  • Dryer
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10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, 7 reviews
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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

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.

Rules

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.

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Highchair , travel cot and stair gate available

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

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

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
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

Property is also known as

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

About the area

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
  • Audley End House - 3 min drive - 2.3 km
  • Imperial War Museum Duxford - 11 min drive - 14.3 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪The Temeraire - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Zafferano Lounge - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪the Railway Arms - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪The Curious Goat - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪The Eight Bells - ‬1 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.

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?

This family-friendly cottage is located in the city centre, within 1 mi (2 km) of Fry Art Gallery and Audley End House. Bridge End Gardens and Church of St. Mary are just steps away.

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Reviews

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

10

Exceptional

10

Cleanliness

9.8

Location

10

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 131 out of 138 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 138 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 138 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 138 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 138 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

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

10/10 Excellent

Vicki B., Niskayuna, NY

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

Wonderful Cottage

The cottage has all modern conveniences and is tastefully decorated. Everything was comfortable. The stairs are a bit challenging. The cottage is easy walking distance to town. We enjoyed our stay very much.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Clare D.

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

A gem of a cottage

This cottage is set in walking distance of the town but in a quiet backstreet among other period houses. Plenty of space for two independent adults and much hilarity with the stairs - do as we did and decant suitcase contents downstairs! Communication before and during the stay was excellent and loved all the homely touches of the cottage. 100% recommend staying here for a real Saffron Walden experience! Thank you Deb, will look forward to a return visit
Stayed 14 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patrick C.

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

Excellent Stay

Cozy cottage with full of character, made great by the owners attention to detail. No complaints at all.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Peter H., Calgary, Canada

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

Just Excellent

This is the place where we always try to stay when in Saffron Walden. Highly recommended
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Catherine T.

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

Quirky but beautiful cottage

Ideally situated this property is what my 6 year old would describe as a "wonky donkey " house! It is beautiful but you have to be very aware upstairs if you are tall (there are warnings in the guest book etc). The only slight frustration and not one the owners can control is the parking. Despite signs saying the parking outside was for Drake Cottage people parked there regardless and so we had to unload and put our car in the local public car park but realistically that is a first world problem!!! All in all a fabulous stay
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023