Walden Abbey of Henry VIII, the abbey property was purchased by Sir Thomas Audley, who built his house Audley End there. The current Jacobean mansion was built for his grandson, Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk, however. Walden Abbey Walden Abbey was a Benedictine monastery in Saffron Walden, Essex, England founded by Geoffrey de Mandeville, 1st Earl of Essex between 1136 and 1143. Originally a priory, it was elevated to the status of an abbey in 1190. Soon after its founding, Earl Geoffrey was arrested by King Stephen. When released on surrender of his castles, the earl launched a rebellion that lasted
Saffron Walden Birmingham New Street via and also stops at Audley End. Saffron Walden is accessed from junction 8 of the M11 travelling from London (a distance of about ) and from junction 10 travelling from the Cambridge direction (). Stansted Airport is some from the town, while Luton Airport is away. Regular bus services connect the town with Cambridge, Bishop's Stortford, Haverhill and Stansted Airport. Audley End Airfield, a private grass runway, is located about outside of the town. Audley End House – once one of the largest mansions in England – is now in the care of English Heritage and