Maze (Saffron Walden)
The Maze is an ancient feature of the attractive Essex market town of Saffron Walden.
It is the best preserved of the English chalk mazes, of which eight survive, another fine one being at the village of Wing in Rutland.
The maze is, in common with some of the others, sometimes known as Troy Town.
It is situated on the common, not far from the Market Place. It measures 114 feet across and nearly five thousand feet from the entrance to the centre.
The chalk mazes are believed to have started in pre-Christian times as an aid to fertility. They were taken over in the Christian era for use as penance. Crawling on hands and knees to the centre would constitute a memorable punishment.