'Knockout' Saffron Walden named best place to live

The Essex market town of Saffron Walden has been named as the best place to live in the UK in The Sunday Times’ annual Best Places to Live guide.

- VICKY SHAW

Judges praised the town's knockout" good looks and compared its market to those found in the south of France.

The guide, which will be published on Sunday, assessed 72 locations across the UK, considering factors ranging from schools and transport to broadband speeds, culture, green spaces, and the health of the high street.

Saffron Walden's appeal, according to the judges, lies in its blend of convenient commuter access to both London and Cambridge, high-performing state schools, and a thriving cultural scene.

The town also boasts a burgeoning "foodie scene" and a revitalised high street, successfully combining chain stores with independent businesses.

The guide notes that locals compare Saffron Walden's Saturday market to those found in the south of France.

Helen Davies, editor of