The Cross Keys
Location: 32 High Street, Saffron Walden, gb
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Property Type: Inns
About this Property
Charming Inn with Modern Amenities
Garden and Terrace: The Cross Keys boasts a picturesque garden and a relaxing terrace, perfect for enjoying a peaceful retreat in Saffron Walden.
Cozy Rooms with Essential Amenities: Each room at The Cross Keys is equipped with a desk, TV, and a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries, ensuring a comfortable stay for guests.
Delicious Dining Options: Guests can indulge in a scrumptious Full English/Irish breakfast at the on-site restaurant and bar, adding a delightful culinary experience to their visit.
Ready to experience the charm of The Cross Keys? Book your stay now and enjoy a relaxing getaway in Saffron Walden!
Important Information
Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Policies
Check-in: 04:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Amenities & Facilities
- Parking
- Non-smoking rooms
- Restaurant
- Terrace
- Kid meals
- Outdoor furniture
- Coffee Shop on site
- Staff adhere to local safety protocols
- Guest rooms disinfected between stays
- Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
- Cashless payment available
- Sanitized tableware & silverware
- Contactless check-in/check-out
- Guest room sealed after cleaning
- Physical distancing in dining areas
- Free wired internet
- Internet access
- Housekeeping on request
- Wine release events
- Japanese garden
- Vegetarian menu options available
Rooms Available
-
Superior King Room
This superior king room features a free-standing bath with separate walk-in monsoon shower. You will also find a flat-screen TV, iPod dock/iPhone charger, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. There is also WiFi in this room.
This room can accommodate a fold away bed.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- TV
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Desk
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Wardrobe or closet
- Coffee machine
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body soap
- Smoke alarm
-
Double or Twin Room with Shower
This twin/double room has a tea/coffee maker and iPod dock.The room has an private bathroom with a walk-in shower. This room can be made as either a twin room with 2 single beds or a double room. Please specify your bed preference prior to arrival.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- TV
- Hair dryer
- Desk
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Wardrobe or closet
- Coffee machine
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body soap
- Smoke alarm
-
Double Room - Ensuite
This double room features a free-standing bath.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- TV
- Hair dryer
- Desk
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Wardrobe or closet
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body soap
- Smoke alarm
-
Double Room - Ensuite with Shower
This double room has an en-suite with a walk-in shower, a flat-screen TV, iPod dock and tea/coffee making facilities. All rooms have been individually designed. Ironing facilities are available on request.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- TV
- Hair dryer
- Desk
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Coffee machine
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body soap
- Smoke alarm
-
Superior Double Room
This superior double room features an private bathroom with monsoon shower, iPod dock, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facility.
This room can accommodate a fold away bed.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Shower
- TV
- Hair dryer
- Desk
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Wardrobe or closet
- Coffee machine
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body soap
- Smoke alarm
-
Deluxe King Room
Located in the converted barn, the king deluxe rooms feature an private bathroom with a free-standing bath with overhead shower. The rooms can accommodate a fold away bed.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- TV
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Desk
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Wardrobe or closet
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body soap
- Smoke alarm
Guest Reviews
- Mary (9/5): We had a very enjoyable time at the Cross Keys. - Staff were friendly and helpful. Room was clean and tidy. Winding uneven stairs to toilets in the bar/dining area.
Spiral stairs to our room. It is a very old building with lots of charm.
- Stefan (9/5): Would recommend to family and friends. it is in the centre of town and is reasonably priced. - Room comfortable. The breakfast was very nice and was a large portion. the location was ideal. The facilities in the room were great with a variety of teas and coffee to choice from. Finally the staff ewere very friendly. No negatives to speak of.
If anything the lack of a car park could have been bad but they had recommended a local public parking. So of course I had to pay for parking.
A bit oldly worldly but this was okay as it added to the feeling as it had history on its side.
- Susie (8/5): Brilliant historic hotel in middle of Saffron Walden - A charming hotel right in the middle of Saffron Walden
Staff all really friendly and efficient restaurant was excellent as was breakfast
Very helpful advice as to where to park Someone had put air freshener plugs in my room
A horrible sickly sweet chemical smell . When I realised what the horrible smell was emanating from, I threw them out onto the landing.
Room was charming after that
- Timothy (8/5): -
- Claire (10/5): We really enjoyed our stay. Very looked after and lovely people looking after us! Xx - Lovely!
- Lina (8/5): -
- Susan (10/5): Just an overnight stay but exceeded our expectations - Breakfast was exceptional room was wonderful
We had an evening meal which was really good
Would love to go back
- Judy (8/5): -
- lisa (10/5): Ultimate comfort and amazing breakfast. 100% recommend - The character; the couple that run it are also so invested and make it special; the rooms are wonderful- everything you need is in the room. There are slopes and ceilings - but you’re in an old building - and it doesn’t take away from the high quality. Comfortable bed and a fab shower - the breakfast was off the scale: for the price of the room - the breakfast virtually cancels out the room charge - delicious! 100% recommend staying here There wasn’t anything we didn’t like. 5 star
- Ashdown (7/5): -
- Joost (9/5): Uitstekend - De people the breakfast the room ✅👍🆒
- Laura (8/5): Comfortable beds , nice staff , good breakfast - The quaintness and location , you can walk into the market and shops easily
- Sheila (10/5): - Jim was lovely. Breakfast great and the lady who was running the service was so happy and enjoyed her job. A smile to start the day
- Andrew (8/5): - Quirky building pub deserted in evening
- Sarah (9/5): -
- Philip (7/5): Lovely stay apart from the fire alarm incident, - Position in the high street and accessibility to Car Park. The fire alarm went off at midnight. Us and other customers came out of our rooms, went down the fire escape and stood in the back yard. Not one member of staff came to us so we were left in limbo! After about 15 mins we saw a staff member in the kitchens, presumably stopping the alarm. It eventually stopped and still not one member of staff came to see us all. Eventually we all went back to bed!
When I questioned one of the staff about it she didn’t know a thing about it. And still 5 days later nobody has bothered to contact us and apologise.
- roland (9/5): Recommended - Rustic feel and good breakfast included Creaky floorboards!
- Batten (10/5): -
- Jayne (3/5): -
- Susan (2/5): -
- Raquel (10/5): - Kind welcome, best room, excellent breakfast
- Jeremy (9/5): Lovely nights stay - Amazing breakfast! Our compliments to the chef! Lovely room with really nice facilities Squeaky floors but it can't be helped as it's a very old characterful building
- Mehmet Ali Urul (10/5): Will definitely recommend it and visit again - From start to finish, the welcoming and the friendliness of the staff who greeted us (Jim) was so very friendly and helpful. Walked us to the room, gave us a quick intro. We also had dinner here as well as breakfast, both were delicious and again very friendly and professional staff throughout. The room was beautiful, cottage style, the bath tub was a great feature, the bed was really comfortable, the shower was pretty spacious, the aircon worked great. All in all, brilliant experience.
- Wendy (8/5): Room small and noisy but only a one night stay. Maybe should have upgraded to a better room. - Very good excellent service from Yasmin Tuesday pie night but no steak and kidney pie left, slightly disappointed, but excellent waitress Yasmin gave great service
- Kirsty (6/5): -
- Julia (10/5): -
- Sara (10/5): Beautiful property, a great location in a lovely market town. The staff at the hotel are all super friendly. Would def - Beautiful character property, central location for exploring the market town. Great breakfast Nothing
- Guest (8/5): -
- Julia (6/5): Friendly staff but some shortcomings - Large room and very comfortable bed a lot of traffic noise despite double glazing and shower room smelt of drains no outside ventilation in there No yoghurt though on website and no healthy cereals like muesli
- Nichola (10/5): Lovely place, lovely people, lovely food - Absolutely excellent really convenient for parking and town centre loved it Only complaint was the key fob! It needed a longer attachment piece as it was a bit tricky to turn the key in the lock due to the fob. But just a niggly thing
- stephen (9/5): - All very good 👍 Nothing, superb location and excellent quality
- Jennifer (8/5): Being very central with very easy access to public parking was ideal. - The room was very comfortable and well laid out. Dinner options where varied. The breakfast lacked the fresh fruit option and yogurt option.
- sue (8/5): - Dinner and breakfast were good Berries and yogurt advertised on line but not on the menu.However we were offered fruit compote as an alternative.
- GORDON (8/5): If you want charming and individual rooms rather than the chain type standard, then this is for you. - Lovely, individual rooms with several bonus touches like quality coffee machine, biscuits and lovely towels. Was told at check in and on the notice board that breakfast was from 7am. We were kept waiting until 7:30 because "oh no, we don't start until 7:30, which seriously upset our plans for the day.
- Bartek (8/5): - Good mattress and pillows. The Full English breakfast was a small disappointment, but still very fresh and tasty. There was a smell coming from the bathroom as soon as one opened the door. But it didn't affect the overall experience.
- Anne (9/5): -
- Azimart (4/5): It served a purpose but I wouldn't return. - The manager albeit stressed tried his best. Breakfast was ok. Affogato was very nice. The room had only a sky light and no other window which you couldn't tell from the photos before booking. There wasn't a comfortable seat in the room and very little surface to put your belongings. The lights didn't work and the hairdryer was not very good.The atmosphere wasn't great from the staff and there wasn't anywhere like an easy chair or sofa to sit and have a drink in the bar. There were items laid out such as croissants (which appeared to be quite old in appearance) and toast at breakfast but you were unable to use the toaster as the lead didn't reach the plug. When this was questioned we were told that toast would come from the kitchen, so the purpose of the toaster was? The lady working didnt guide us towards the fruit juice available and apart from taking our order said very little. Although the staff were not unfriendly they didn't appear to be enjoying their work and some complained of the situation and others came across as very false in their attempt at pleasantries. It was very expensive to eat there too.
- Caz (10/5): Our weekend stay - A lovely Hotel. Staff were friendly and our room was clean and comfortable.
We stayed for 2 nights. The breakfast that was included, was plentiful, especially the Full English..very tasty!
Location was good too, right in the town close to all amenities. Reasonably priced too.
A good atmosphere, although quiet ( early season) to be expected. Oldy woody good decor.
Would certainly recommend 👌 👍 Nothing to state here. Very satisfied!
- Sin-Ja (8/5): -
- Eszter (10/5): -
- Stephanie (10/5): - Room was luvly the bed so comfy and the food and wine fantastic
- stephen (8/5): - Location Nothing
- Martijn (8/5): - De vriendelijke ontvangst, kleine maar gezellige kamer met alle voorzieningen.
In het restaurant heerlijk gegeten. Het is wel gehorig.
- Iain (9/5): -
- Guest (9/5): -
- Guest (10/5): -
- Caroline (9/5): Short stay in centre of Saffron Walden. Excellently positioned and full of history - Historic and quirky It was all good
- Anna (9/5): A lovely little get away and beautiful breakfast - How old it is
- Kirby (7/5): - Good staff No window, bath was in the room and the shower was over the bath
- Katie (10/5): - Room and location were perfect, breakfast was great and staff were very helpful
- Cam Ly (10/5): -
- Lewis (7/5): Nice beds and rooms, slightly noisy outside. - Lovely period property with a nice pub and restaurant beneath. Right on the main road, so can be a little noisy at night with passers by and vehicles.
- Martin (9/5): Recommended comfortable place to stay the night and great breakfast. - The room was characterful and well appointed.
- Susan (10/5): Lovely 1 nite stay - Beautiful hotel,Comfy room, and a lovely choice at breakfast.
- Vicki (10/5): -
- Tim (9/5): Olde Inn - Old inn, plenty of character.
Good breakfast.
Communications really good, including comprehensive car park information.
Friendly and accommodating staff. Small room.
Radiator stuck on hot all night.
- Christopher (6/5): OK, nice town but slightly disappointing stay. - Nice location Welcome not very warm, despite staying there last orders were at 21.30 - there was no intent to help with an early breakfast, and the alternative way out for early morning check-out was dangerous, with a very slippery walkway just before a steep flight of stairs.
Very thin walls in the rooms, poor isolation from other rooms.
- Clive (8/5): Very central stopover - A quirky room No windows other than a velux high up in the ceiling.
- Martin (9/5): V Happy - Cosy atmosphere Nothing
- dru (9/5): Cosy, tasteful room in town centre. Wish we’d had time for dinner! - Tasteful and comfortable room in beautiful historic building. Great breakfast and friendly staff. As it’s in the centre of town, traffic noise but that’s inevitable.
- Timothy (9/5): Very relaxing, local to the airport for our flight the next day. - The breakfast was very good. Very helpful and friendly staff. Perfect location and local parking helped a lot. Having to put money in the parking meter and our before we left the hotel. The TV looks dated and the remote control did not operate properly. Sometimes it found a station, the next click it wouldn't.
- Linda (9/5): It was a lovely stay. - My friends and I had a lovely couple of nights. The food was absolutely lovely and the staff were lovely people. There wasn’t much wrong , just my bed was a bit firm
- Glyn (10/5): Would definitely book again. Thank you. - Despite being busy Jim acknowledged us on arrival immediately, and was an excellent host. Some road noise but to be expected on a fairly busy main road.
- JOHN (7/5): HAD A VERY GOOD TIME - SLEPT WELL ALTHOUGH SOME EARLY MORNING TRAFFIC NOISE WHICH WAS TO BE INSPECTED IN THE CENTRE OF A WONDERFUL TOWN. BREAKFAST AND STAFF FANTASTIC. LOVELY OLD BUILDING STAIRS ARE A BIT NARROW.
- Jonathan (8/5): Earplugs are a must in this characterful building - Good location in the town, lovely atmospheric old building full of character. Very comfortable bed, great heating, good tea/ coffee tray, fluffy towels and good water pressure, nice cooked breakfast Quite noisy especially as others have said from the manhole cover on the road outside (boom boom, boom boom). Very small Tv in the room, kettle needed a clean. No fresh fruit or yoghurt at breakfast so not so GF friendly, though cooked breakfast was tasty but the eggs were all overcooked. I would stay again as the positives outweigh the negatives
- Louis (10/5): Nice place for a short break - Nice venue, old with loads of history Shower a bit small
- janet (10/5): Absolutely loved it - Absolutely excellent, only slight niggle was room a little dark , but did not really worry us A little dark
- Clare (9/5): - It’s old and quaint in a good location. Breakfast is a bit sparse. It would be nice to have some fresh fruit to go with cereals. The poached egg i ordered had been waiting around for a while.
- John (9/5): A great overnight. - Wry friendly staff and good location. Easy to walk to all parts of the town. Local parking.
Very spacious room and a very comfortable bed. Good shower and excellent breakfast.
Enjoyable stay.
- Jane (10/5): Fabulous place, perfect for an easy weekend break. - The pub/restaurant staff were super friendly. Food of an excellent standard. The room was separate to the pub and in a cluster of three.
The room itself was spotless and plenty of tea/coffee, large glassed bottled water, for each adult, cups and saucers and a hairdryer (for those that need one. Beautifully laid out with plenty of towels (including large bath towels).
Excellent access to the town centre. If I had to put something negative it would be no window in the room, just a small skylight and the toilet a bit too ‘in the bedroom’ but, quite frankly, no real issue. The room was comfortable and spotless. No onsite parking but Sweet Meadow parking literally an easy and direct small walk away.
- TZ (8/5): Good - Building, location, decor, food and staff Noisy front room and banging manhole when cars passed
- Kate (10/5): Fab - I didn’t actually go. It was a gift for my adult children while I babysat.
They all loved it. They raved about the rooms, the bar and the service. Nothing
- David (9/5): -
- Paula (10/5): -
- David (9/5): gezellige herberg - Mooi verblijf in een gezellige historische Britse herberg, gelegen in een historisch marktstadje. De auto kon vlakbij op een betalende openbare parking achtergelaten worden. Zowel 's avonds als 's morgens lekker gegeten.
- Rachel (10/5): -
- Sophie (9/5): -
- Dominic (8/5): -
- Marcus (8/5): Good value, centre of town location with lots of character - Friendly staff, a good sized room that was clean and comfortable with generous provisions (tea coffee biscuits etc) As a pub it served good food at reasonable prices. Breakfast was fresh cooked and a big portion plus pastries etc. Nothing it was all OK
- Melanie (8/5): -
- Zoe (6/5): -
- Jason (7/5): - Nice stay in great location
- sarah (8/5): - Great staff nice room and building, food good.Easy access to town and parking ok. Outside the room there's a noisy man hole cover which bangs when a car drives over it.
The lighting in bathroom is quite dim and also at the drinks making station. The green security light is a little too bright for sleeping.
- Sharon (9/5): great stay - beautiful old inn room was as shown in the photos nothing to add
- grahame (10/5): - Lovely room and staff were excellent Everything was lovely the only small thing was unable to supply coffee sachets in the room..plenty of teas but for someone who doesn't drink tea ....
- Alison (10/5): - Location excellent, staff and food were really good.
- Claire (9/5): - Friendly staff, great breakfast and comfortable bed.
- Alan (8/5): - Room size OK, bed very comfortable, ensuite good. Breakfast earlier start, say 7.15am
- Elaine (9/5): - No coffee in bedroom
- Sjef (10/5): -
- Guy (9/5): -
- Nick (7/5): nice location for central Saffron Walden, lovely old pub but decor a bit tired. - Great staff, very helpful and welcoming room was small, coffee machine wasnt working (missing adapter to use pods), bathroom door hard to keep closed.
- Jacky (8/5): Really enjoyable stay in beautiful character property would definitely return - Very characterful
Comfortable
Lovely helpful staff
Fantastic breakfast and great evening meal May have been easier if bathroom within the bedroom had been a little more easy to use. Shower great but had to be quite agile to get into the bath in the man room.
Dinner was luke warm but the kitchen staff were excellent at sorting this and it tasted very good
- Stephanie (9/5): Great location and value for money. - Great value for money. Room was furnished to a high standard, great location in the centre of town, excellent freshly cooked to order breakfast included and staff were very friendly.
- shahram (8/5): - Good breakfast and clean Size of room in a bit small,
noise of street
- Isabel (10/5): Absolutely must visit (and stay overnight), absolutely amazing! - Where do I start?!? On entry we were greeted by a lovely member of staff (forgot to ask his name but he was great!), who told us everything we needed to know and was very welcoming! The room was absolutely lovely, the bed was lovely and comfortable and the whole building itself was absolutely beautiful overall! The restaurant is sublime, the food my partner and I had (halloumi and frickles for starters, fish chips and the beef burger for the main, and sticky toffee pudding and fudge chocolate cake) was absolutely delicious and to die for, definitely recommend the sticky toffee pudding!! Even the breakfast the following day was delicious and all the staff we came across were absolutely welcoming, friendly, and absolutely lovely overall. Definitely recommend anyone and everyone to either visit here or stay over night, 10/10 experience - thank you all again! N/A - loved everything!
- Jeanette (9/5): Great location. Cozy bar/restaurant. Loved the feel of the old building. - Location, location, location. Bar downstairs was cozy and inviting. A little disappointed that the pictures did not match my room. Vanity mirror light did not work.
- Vicky (9/5): - The location being central in the town. The pillows were flat once you lay on them - would prefer firmer ones.
- Tyler (10/5): -
- Robert (9/5): -
Photos