The Tiptree Tea Room at Saffron Walden, otherwise known as The Courtyard Tea Room is located in the charming and picturesque medieval market town of Saffron Walden is close to Stansted airport, the M11 and other main trunk routes across Essex yet very firmly planted in the north-west Essex countryside. During some four hundred years of Roman occupation, it was never more than a small settlement, yet by the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 there was an estate of about 120 households.

Saffron Walden is one of those towns with a past, a place to wander the streets and byways and reflect on its history. Over the centuries the people of Saffron Walden have reported many mysterious happenings: one story tells of the ‘Basilisk Dragon’ which allegedly laid siege to the town. This awesome creature killed so many people that the town was becoming severely depopulated. As in all the best stories, a gallant wandering knight delivered the townspeople by covering his armour in crystal glass. On seeing its own reflection, the monstrous dragon fell down dead, and the town was saved.     

Luckily, today there are no dragons, and you can relax and enjoy this beautiful town. Tuesdays and Saturdays are the days to visit for the main square market, held here since 1141. Just a short stroll through Rose and Crown Walk, you will find The Common, the oldest of Saffron Walden’s open spaces. Look out especially for its turf labyrinth, the largest still surviving anywhere in Europe, situated on the eastern side of the common.

The Rose and Crown Walk, named after the Rose and Crown Inn, once served as that popular hostelry’s yard with stables and outbuildings for guests and staff. The inn, situated where Boots the chemists is now, was once a beautiful building known to attract the most prestigious of guests.

Some will tell a tale that even Shakespeare once performed at the Rose and Crown Inn, during a visit in 1606. Unfortunately, due to a devastating fire in 1969 in which 11 persons died, the building and yard were completely destroyed. The fire is believed to have prompted the government to look at the whole structure of national fire safety legislation, and as a result, a new act was published in 1971.

After the fire, the owners Trust Houses Ltd decided they were going to sell the land and despite some local resistance, were not persuaded to reopen the Rose and Crown Inn. Once sold, the renovation of Rose and Crown Walk in 1973 meant that the passageways were made smaller - the need for deliveries of large barrels of wine and beer were no more. The Courtyard tea room is a relatively new development, situated in what was, before the fire, the former stables area. Previous to present The Courtyard tea room opening, there was a well-known eatery called Gluttons which started business around 15 years ago. Some regular customers still have fond memories of that cafe but appreciate the warm welcome afforded them today, whenever they care to drop in.