The Cross Keys

3.0 star property
Inn with free breakfast, near Audley End House

Photo gallery for The Cross Keys

Restaurant
Double Room, Ensuite (King) | Bathroom
Double Room, Ensuite (Dbl) | View from property
Restaurant
Exterior

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Housekeeping
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
The current price is AU$194
includes taxes & fees
5 Oct - 6 Oct

Explore the area

View map
32 High Street, Saffron Walden, England, CB10 1AX
  • Market Square
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Bridge End Gardens
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Audley End House
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • London (STN-Stansted)
    ‪20 min drive‬

Room options

Superior Double Room, Ensuite (King_Sup)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
Hairdryer
Coffee/tea maker
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
Iron/ironing board
Desk
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Double Room, Ensuite (King)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(2 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
Hairdryer
Shower/bath combination
Coffee/tea maker
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
Iron/ironing board
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Superior Double Room, Ensuite (Sup)

Highlights

Separate bedroom
Hairdryer
Coffee/tea maker
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
Iron/ironing board
Desk
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Double Room, Ensuite (DblL_Eesbath)

7.0 out of 10
Good
(2 reviews)

Highlights

Separate bedroom
Hairdryer
Coffee/tea maker
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
Iron/ironing board
Desk
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Double Room, Ensuite (Dbl)

7.8 out of 10
Good
(10 reviews)

Highlights

Separate bedroom
Hairdryer
Coffee/tea maker
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
Iron/ironing board
Desk
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Double or Twin Room, Ensuite (Dbl_Twn)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Separate bedroom
Hairdryer
Coffee/tea maker
Digital channels
Daily housekeeping
Iron/ironing board
Desk
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds OR 1 Double Bed

About the area

Saffron Walden

At The Cross Keys you'll be within steps of Market Square and Church of St. Mary. Highlights at this inn include free breakfast, a restaurant and a bar/lounge. .This smoke-free inn offers free WiFi in public areas. Additionally, you'll find an outdoor tennis court. There's also the convenience of limited parking. .Attractions within a 15-minute drive of this 3-property class Saffron Walden inn include Audley End House and Imperial War Museum Duxford.

What's nearby

  • Market Square - 1 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Bridge End Gardens - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Saffron Walden Museum - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Audley End House - 3 min drive - 2.3 km
  • Imperial War Museum Duxford - 12 min drive - 14.6 km

Getting around

  • Elsenham Station - 13 min drive
  • London (STN-Stansted) - 36 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Temeraire - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Zafferano Lounge - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪The Cross Keys Hotel - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪The Eight Bells - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Calzone - ‬4 min walk

About this property

The Cross Keys

Inn with free breakfast, near Audley End House
There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Free breakfast is served. WiFi is free in public spaces.

This 3-star Saffron Walden inn is smoke free.

  • 10 guestrooms or units
  • Breakfast available (free)
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
  • Dining venue
The Cross Keys offers 10 accommodations. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Limited on-site parking

Food and drink

  • Free breakfast available
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • Outdoor tennis court

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Accessibility

  • No lift

More

  • Smoke-free property

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: 9:00 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit/debit cards
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property accepts credit or debit cards, Visa and Mastercard.

Property is also known as

Cross Keys Inn Saffron Walden
Cross Keys Inn Saffron Walden
Cross Keys Saffron Walden
Inn The Cross Keys Saffron Walden
Saffron Walden The Cross Keys Inn
Inn The Cross Keys
The Cross Keys Saffron Walden
Cross Keys Inn
Cross Keys
The Cross Keys Inn
The Cross Keys Saffron Walden
The Cross Keys Inn Saffron Walden

Frequently asked questions

Is parking available at The Cross Keys?

Onsite parking is limited.

How much does it cost to stay at The Cross Keys?

As of 18 Sept 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Cross Keys on 5 Oct 2025 start from AU$193.98, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at The Cross Keys?

No, The Cross Keys does not offer an airport shuttle service.

Is there a bar or restaurant at The Cross Keys?

Yep, they've got a lounge bar and an onsite restaurant.

What time are check-in & check-out at The Cross Keys?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.

Are pets allowed at The Cross Keys?

No, pets are not allowed.

The Cross Keys Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 88 out of 160 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 49 out of 160 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 12 out of 160 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 160 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 6 out of 160 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.2/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

Peter

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Terry

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A fantastic property in the heart of Saffron Walden with bags of charactrr and friendly staff.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

John

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Extremely nice hotel with a lot of character. One of our top hotels in our 30 trip to England
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Neil

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Linda

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

John

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Intermittent low level electronic hum for the first part of the night. Mattress too soft. Not sure I like having the toilet inside the room inside a cubicle without good ventilation.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

2/10 Terrible

Shane

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Jacqueline

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very historic place which dates back to the 1500's . The character of the property has been largely kept, this does include sloping floor in the bedroom.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

2/10 Terrible

John

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service

Never again

No heating no food service at 20.30 but said 9 bar closed early so no drinks at 22.30 shocking rude bar staff (not interested bad attitude)
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

4/10 Poor

Phillip

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rosemary

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very old historic building with lots of character. Room large, bed comfy, coffee machine and biscuits but no bottled water. Good shower, good breakfast included cooked to order. Staff friendly and helpful. WiFi rubbish, TV not great but was cool that it was hidden in the panelled wall. Short walk to paid parking. Overall a positive stay, would stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

4/10 Poor

Shelley

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Hotels.com

I'm sure it would have been a lovely stay if Hotels.com had actually booked the hotel for our weekend stay but when we arrived the cross keys hadn't received the booking from Hotels.com
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Staff members excellent. Lighting in bathroom was poor 2 lights not working did report this. Cups in bedroom not changed or cleaned over 3 day stay. Food was good
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Mandy

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Barbara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Ideal quiet position in town centre so easy to walk or use buses nearby.Very old building so stairs awkward (There could be a reminder on website when booking). Shower easy to use; ceiling above showing water damage stains. It was useful to have a stand for unpacking suitcase. Bed comfortable; bed linen crisp, clean and ironed. Lighting good; a welcome tray of teas, coffees, biscuits topped up daily. TV set on a slant on wall due to structure of building? Breakfasts good, portions generous; vegetarian options tasty; I would welcome some fruit and yoghurt choice too.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amylouise

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Amazing Will be back again soon
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Mark

Liked: Room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service

Shame

Check in was poor, got ignored by staff gossiping, looked at me 5 times and decided ignoring me was the best so I stood there for about 5minutes. When a waitress already running around after clients saw me she came over and got someone to help me, she was helpful, manager came over and they had computer issues which apparently I wanted to know all about. Just very unprofessional. Room was adequate but small and not value , price is only for the old building. Room was adequate but bathroom wasn’t that clean. All toiletries were one use which isn’t green. Best experience was breakfast where young guy on duty was very good with all the guests.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

David

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Leon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Paul

Liked: Staff & service

Great food average accommodation.

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Janet

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We were allowed to leave our cases while went to music festival in towm. Staff were more than helpful. Breakfast was superior
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024