Walden Castle, Essex

Walden Castle was built in the town of Saffron Walden, by Geoffrey de Mandeville at the start the Anarchy (a period in the 12th century during the the reign of King Stephen, which was characterised by civil war and unsettled government). Most of the building work occurred between 1141 and 1143.

Walden castle was one of several castles built by Geoffrey to reinforce his power across the region. The castle stood on a natural high point within the town and featured a square Norman keep and a bailey wall. Geoffrey was arrested by King Stephen in 1143, and ordered to hand over various of his castles, including Walden. Geoffrey agreed, but promptly reneged on this agreement once released, and launched a campaign against the king's strongholds in Cambridgeshire. Geoffrey died during a siege the following year, still not having reclaimed Walden. Henry II ordered the castle, to be destroyed in 1157.

Today only the ruined core of the castle remain, with most of the stones stolen over the intervening centuries for use in buildings elsewhere.

Nearby to the castle is the Maze, a series of circular excavations cut into the turf of the common. It is the largest turf maze in England, the main part being about 100 feet in diameter. The earliest record of it was in 1699, and it has been extensively restored several times, most recently in 1979.

Saffron Walden Museum is in the grounds of the castle.

Opening Times

Any reasonable time.

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Ticket Prices

Admission is free.

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Disabled Facilities

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More Information

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