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Moving to Saffron Walden

15 replies

PollyL · 10/03/2009 21:38

Any advice on good things to do with a 3 yr old and a 1 yr old in Saffron Walden? I work full time which cuts down options, but I would love advice as this moving business is all a bit scary!

OP posts:
laurasmiles · 12/03/2009 16:09

HI there PollyL - I moved here two years ago and it was a good decision. Don't be scared -it's a lovely town and there's plenty to do, especially if you drive.

The town itself has:
a soft play centre; two outdoor parks; some lovely open gardens for picnics and walks; and a maze; a castle ruin; and duck pond. There's a nice children's library area; a lovely swimming pool with baby pool at a nice temperature; the sports centres does trampolining for your older one.......

In the Summer there are always activites on the common, with fairs and fetes galore. At Chrsimas time there's a lovely late night shopping night with Father Christmas and music and food, etc, and all the children get dresssed up in fancy dress and it's great fun.

There are a few child friendly cafe's too.

Audley End House is beautiful and there's a little steam train for children to ride through the woods with teddy bears.

If you want or can drive:
There is a Zoo at Linton - not too far away. Also, with Cambridge just over half and hour away on a good run, your options open up a lot. There are nice outdoor paddling pools there for the summer and theatres for shows etc.

If you're off in the week at all, there are a range of preschool activites running in and around the surrounding villages. The Town Centre's Tourist offfice should be able to give you some of the information....

Don't worry. It's really a town you can grow into. The health visitors even come to your home for your children's checks - which they could never do in London, where I was before!!

When are you moving?

PollyL · 16/03/2009 19:40

Thank you so much for all of the tips. It is great to hear such a positive write up. We are hopefully moving at the end of April - if we survive packing up. Maybe see you on the Common!

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Millarkie · 16/03/2009 20:05

Hi PollyL. I think Laurasmiles has covered most of the things to do, but thought that I'd add that my family moved here almost 2 years ago and we love it.
There is a huge long thread somewhere on the mumsnet archives with lots of saffron walden incomers (and a few original residents) discussing the perils of moving, schools, seats on trains and where to get the best hot chocolate

laurasmiles · 17/03/2009 12:04

Yes, I was one of those incomers and learnt a lot from that thread!! It doesn't take long before you're passing it on to the next tranche!

childrenchildreneverywhere · 20/03/2009 17:15

Hi Polly,

Another Saffron Walden mum, I have four children between 1 and 6 and by far their favourite thing to do in town is visit the Museum - it's free for children and only £1 for adults, we have been so many times yet they always adore it. They also have special themes running throughout the year with special events for children, such as "snakes alive" (lots of really scary real snakes and spiders - not for the faint hearted!).

We've lived here for 3.5yrs and love it. It's very family friendly.

LynetteScavo · 20/03/2009 17:29

Is there a massive stuffed lion in the Museum? I went to a museum in Warwick and there was a facinating story and picuture about a huge lion. It said the lion had gone to Safron Waldon.

PollyL · 23/03/2009 22:23

Thank you for all of the advice - we have been really unsure about moving, but I feel much better that SW is a good choice and that it could be a happy place for us to live. The only dodgy thing is my husband is going to have to cycle to the station (he can't drive)and it will be a bit far in winter! Anyway, thanks again

OP posts:
bert74 · 24/03/2009 20:45

I think there is a bus that runs from Saffron walden to the station. sorry don't know any more details than that, but just remember seeing it when i have come of the train before. I grew up in the town and think it is wonderful. Hope you have fun and make lots of new friends.

PollyL · 03/04/2009 21:43

Thank you! We have a moving date of the 17th of April!!!

OP posts:
laurasmiles · 05/04/2009 13:46

Thta's great! Good luck - I hope everything goes smoothly for you!

saffycat · 07/04/2009 23:30

Hi Polly, - I'm sure you must be E.C's mum, I am E.M's mum! It was lovely to talk to you on Sunday, thanks again for coming. Good luck with the move. When you're settled perhaps we could get together for coffee/arrange to meet with our little E's at the common.

bert74 · 11/06/2009 21:22

Just wondered how you were settling into life in Saffron walden?

loopsngeorge · 18/06/2009 23:26

Hi, just wondered if anyone was around to give yet more advice on moving to Saffron Walden? I've had a look at the previous threads on SW and got loads of useful info!

We have seen a property in Little Walden which we're interested in so I thought I should do a bit more research. I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts on -
Stansted - I know SW is not particularly affected by noise etc at the moment but are people worried locally about the further expansion planned at the airport? Or is the town outside the area that's going to be affected?

Development - I did read something about a housing development planned near Little Walden - don't suppose anyone knows anything about it?

Commuting - DH would have to get the train to Liverpool St but says he would get a scooter to get him to Audley End. Just wondered how busy the roads are through SW to the station at peak times? Is there a long waiting list for the car park?

SW sounds a lovely place to live but it would be a massive change of lifestyle for us to move to a quiet village so it feels quite scary! Thanks in advance for any advice

SeniorMoment · 02/07/2009 14:32

I live in Little Walden - probably next door but two from the house you're looking at!

biscuits400 · 17/03/2010 21:16

Hi all,
It's great to see what everyone does in SW. I read the really long thread as well - very educational! We moved here about 6 months ago so just getting to grips with it all. It's a great place though, really loving it.

Laura - i hope you don't think this cheeky but just wondered how your children got on at the local school you were talking about on the long thread. I'm pretty close to you in terms of address and mine would go to the same school although not for another year. Have heard some pretty good things from the HV but not met anyone with children that go there. Most people I know are at RAB.

Did they settle in ok and are enjoying it? Are you happy with it?

thanks in advance.

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