Drake Cottage is described on the British Listed Building website as a cottage of timber framing with peg and clay tiled roof with heavy timbers built in the late fifteenth century. The cottage was first listed as a building of historic importance in 1951 and the photograph below shows the cottage in 1919 with a mass of ivy and hollyhocks surrounding it. The hollyhocks continue to be a feature during the summer months.
The cottage is situated in a quiet backwater of the historic town of Saffron Walden and yet at the heart of the town’s medieval quarter. It is also a 5 minute walk away from the beautiful parkland of historic Audley End House which is owned and managed by English Heritage
and yet is only a matter of minutes from the bustling market square which is the heart of this medieval town.
Please note that the cottage has low beams on the landing and also has a twisting staircase that is charming, but also quite challenging if you have any physical disabilities. Below is a plan of the cottage to give you an idea of it’s layout:
We highly recommend that you bring small suitcases or soft sided bags to make it much easier to negotiate the stairs.
Drake Cottage 