Saffron Walden has four permanent mazes open to the public. Two are historic and two are modern. You do NOT need to visit the first three mazes to complete this cache.
The Turf Maze on the Common (at N52.01.432 E000.14.839) is in fact a labyrinth and is the largest example of a historic turf maze in the World and is one of only 8 surviving turf mazes in England. The earliest known reference to the maze is from 1699 and the pathway measures almost a mile in length.
The Hedge Maze at Bridge End Garden (at N52.01.622 E000.14.238) was completed by Francis Gibson in about 1840. However by 1950 it had become neglected and by 1980 it was completely overgrown. Restoration commenced in 1984 and the maze was officially re-opened in 1991.
The Jubilee Garden Maze (at N52.01.356 E000.14.469) is a labyrinth located in Jubilee Garden bandstand and was opened in 2013 at the second Maze Festival.
The Swan Meadow Maze (at cache co-ordinates) was opened in 2016 at the third Maze Festival. Within a perimeter fence of woven willow, the layout of box hedging and conservation paving announces that “Saffron Walden Amazes” and, as part of the child-friendly layout, a number of finger labyrinths and mazes are set into the top of pre-cast stone planters to provide further visitor interaction and illustrate how such designs have developed over the last 2,500 years. Pathways linking the two entry/exit points from the adjacent public footpath pass through a circular corner feature where a dramatic sculptural head overlooks the whole layout.
To find the coordinates of the container look at the noticeboard near the maze. The cache can be found at N52.01.ABC E000.14.DEF where A= St Mary's Church - Bridge End Garden, B= The Cross Keys, C= Bridge End Garden, D= Market Place, E= The Old Sun Inn + Castle Ruins and F= St Mary's Church. The container is a tiny magnetic tube.