Let's move to Saffron Walden, Essex

What's going for it? Hidden gem alert! North-west Essex – squashed and all f orgotten about bet ween the M11 and the awright darlin' ­Essex of popular myth to the south-east – is a treat. This is the Essex those anti- Stansted campaigners and ­local Boudicca Germaine Greer get so worked up about, the Essex of ­rolling barley fields, ­medieval ­villages with green and stocks ­intact, and a fine line in ridiculously yokel place names ( Maggots End ? Steeple Bumpstead ?). I'm sure I've spotted yeomen, if only I knew what a yeoman was. Saffron Walden is its capital and, as you'd expect, is every inch the market town, with, of course, a market (Tuesdays and Saturdays, since you ask), a cracking parish church, grand as a cathedral, a crumbled-away castle, and the largest turf maze in the kingdom. The case against The expansion at Stansted is likely to shatter the peace further yet. The spirited ­Saffron Screen independent cinema aside, rather lacking in things to do. Well connected? Get yourself a bike and the station at Audley End is just a mile and a half uphill, alas – but down at the end of the day, when it counts: London Liverpool Street an hour, Cambridge 20-25 mins (two-four trains an hour). The M11 skirts by, too, with central London 50 minutes away, Cambridge 20 mins. ­Stansted airport's a 15-minute drive. Schools Katherine Semar Junior is "good" with "significant strengths", says Ofsted; St Thomas More ­Catholic Primary is "outstanding", and RA Butler Junior "outstanding... in ­almost every ­respect". Saffron Walden County High is "good" with some "outstanding features". Hang out at... The cosy Eight Bells : nice farm shop, too. The Cricketers , of Jamie Oliver's parents fame, at Clavering. Audley End stately home has smashing summer concerts. Where to buy Logically laid out: the conservation area in the ­centre of town is suitably pretty with town houses and cottages from the 15th century to the 20th; then a decent padding of ­Victorian and ­Edwardian terraces and semis; then a splodge of ­suburban ­estates. The ­rurally minded should ­explore the ­hinterland: great ­unspoilt villages such as Finchingfield and Thaxted . Market values Detacheds, £240,000-£650,000. Semis, £180,000-£380,000. Period ­cottages, £190,000-£350,000. Terraces, £150,000-£400,000. Flats, £95,000-£180,000. Bargain of the week Three-bedroom 1930s semi, needs updating, close to the centre, £170,000, with Kevin Henry . Live in Saffron Walden? Join the ­debate at theguardian.com/letsmoveto From the streets of Saffron Walden Harry Benyon "Absolute nightmare to park after 10am on Saturdays." Clive Taylor " Bridge End gardens and the tiny Fry art gallery are wonderful, as are the little medieval streets and alleyways. Teenagers have to go to Cambridge for fun." Tom Bogie "Brilliant community cinema, Saffron Screen." • Live in Saffron Walden? Join the ­debate at theguardian.com/letsmoveto Do you live in Sherwood ­Forest and The Dukeries, north ­Nottinghamshire? Do you have a ­favourite haunt or a pet hate? If so, please write, by next Tuesday, to [email protected]