[2] Archaeological evidence suggests continuous settlement on or near the site of Saffron Walden from at least the Neolithic period.

[4] A priory, Walden Abbey, was founded under the patronage of Geoffrey de Mandeville, 1st Earl of Essex about 1136, on the site of what is now Audley End House.

[3] The market was moved from nearby Newport to Walden during de Mandeville's tenure, increasing the town's influence.

[3] The town at that time was largely confined to the castle's outer bailey, but in the 13th century the Battle or Repel Ditches were built or extended to enclose a larger area to the south.

A guildhall was built by the wool-staplers in the market place, but demolished in 1847 to make way for the Corn Exchange.

By 1640, Samuel Bass's family and a number of others had departed for the Massachusetts Bay Colony as part of the Great Migration.

[11] The trade was less lucrative than saffron, but the town continued to grow through the 19th century, and had a cattle market, corn exchange and other civic buildings.

[12][13] In the 1900s the Saffron Walden branch railway line from Audley End station, on the mainline from London to Cambridge, was extended to Bartlow.

Acrows Ltd, makers of falsework, built premises to the east of the town and became a significant employer and economic influence in the area.

The large mace was given to Saffron Walden by James II in 1685 and provides an early recording of the unofficial coat of arms.

Two smaller silver maces were bought by the corporation in 1549 to commemorate the granting of a new town charter by Edward VI.

This purchase is recorded in the town's Guild of Holy Trinity accounts and reads, "For 2 new maces, weying 18 ownces one quarter and half at 8s.

[18] The 12th-century Walden Castle, built or expanded by Geoffrey de Mandeville, the first Earl of Essex, is in ruins.

After the medieval period, the castle fell into disuse and much of the flint was taken and used in the construction of local houses and the wall surrounding the Audley End estate.

The town is divided into four parish wards: Audley, named after Audley End House - representing the western area of Saffron Walden including Audley End; Castle - taking its name from Saffron Walden Castle; Shire (formerly Plantation) - representing the southern area of the town; and Little Walden - representing the small village of the same name and a large rural area to the north of the town.

[33] According to the Office for National Statistics, at the time of the United Kingdom Census 2001, Saffron Walden had a population of 14,313.

[40] Located to the west of the town centre, it was rated outstanding in its most recent Ofsted report in 2012.

The station is sited on the West Anglia Main Line between Cambridge and London Liverpool Street.

An hourly GreaterAnglia service between Stansted Airport and Norwich, via Cambridge and Ely, also stops at Audley End.

[46] Regular bus services connect the town with Cambridge, Bishop's Stortford, Haverhill and Stansted Airport.

During the coronavirus pandemic, Essex Highways narrowed some roads in the town centre to make social distancing easier for pedestrians and they reduced some speed limits to 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) as part of their Safer, Greener, Healthier scheme.

Audley End Airfield, a private grass runway, is located about 1 mile (2 km) outside of the town.

Audley End House, once one of the largest mansions in England, is now in the care of English Heritage and is open to the public.

[49] During the summer months, picnic concerts and a last night in the style of the BBC Proms have been held in the grounds.

The collection includes extensive artworks and supporting material by Edward Bawden, who lived in the town during the 1970s and 1980s, and Eric Ravilious.

The Anglo American playing fields, located close to Bridge End Gardens on Catons Lane, are home to the town's cricket club and were donated to Saffron Walden by the US forces after the war.

[58] A monument at the site commemorates the American airmen and people of Saffron Walden who died in the Second World War.

[59][60] Lord Butler Leisure Centre is located on Peaslands Road and includes a pool, gym and sports injury clinic.