# Bishop's Stortford

Bishop's Stortford is an historic market town in Hertfordshire. The historic core of Stortford is covered by a Conservation Area, with 105 heritage-listed buildings. Much of the Conservation Area is also an Area of Archaeological Significance. Many of its 41,000 residents (2020) commute to London for work.

## Understand

A market town established during the rule of the Roman Empire, but then abandoned after the Romans withdrew from the UK. Then, during the Saxon era a new settlement developed at the same location known as Steort-ford. Then in 1060, the Bishop of London purchased the manor house, resulting in the name of the town today. The town lies on the River Stort, the river being named after the town (not the town after the river).

## Get in
### By air

* London Stansted Airport (STN) – 5.5 mi (8.9 km) miles to the E of the town.

### By road

* Take Junction 8 (A120) of the M11.
* The town is 7½ miles to the E from the London-King's Lynn A10 main road (via the A120).

### By train

* 51.8670.1651 Bishop's Stortford Railway Station, Station Rd, Bishops Stortford CM23 3BL. West Anglia Main Line Cambridge - London Liverpool St, as well as connections to Stansted Airport station.

### By bicycle

* The town is on National Cycle Route 11 from Harlow to King's Lynn.
* The town is on National Cycle Route 16 that runs from town to Southend-on-Sea.
* National Cycle Route 1 Dover to Shetland Islands passes 5 miles to the E of the town and 7 miles to the S of the town.
* Regional Cycle Route 50 passes a few miles to the E and N of the town.

## Get around

The town is small enough to be seen on foot.

## See

* 51.87170.1625351 Waytemore Castle. A motte and bailey castle ruin. (updated Mar 2017)
* 51.944650.2752 Stanstead Raceway (Banger Racing), Lovecotes Farm, Chickney Rd, Henham Village CM22 6BH, ☏ +44 7851 204063 (mobile). (updated May 2017)
* 51.867240.162873 Empire (Cinema), Anchor St Bishop's Stortford CM23 3BP. (updated May 2017)
* 51.86330.16434 Bishop's Stortford Museum, 1-3 South Rd, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3JG, ☏ +44 1279 710200, info@rhodesbishopsstortford.org.uk. M-F 10AM-5PM (last entry 4PM), Sa 10AM-4PM (last entry 3PM). Housed in the birthplace of Cecil Rhodes (updated May 2017)
* 51.83720.08675 The Henry Moore Studios and Gardens, Perry Green, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire SG10 6EE (in rural Hertfordshire, less than 30 miles from central London, close to Hertford, Bishop’s Stortford and Stansted Airport), ☏ +44 1279 843333, receptiondth@henry-moore.org. Open seasonally, usually from Easter until the end of October each year, W–Su & Bank Holidays 11AM–5PM (4PM in Oct), M Tu closed. The former home and studios of the great British sculptor. Includes the artist's restored home, and its flower garden, his studios, and over 70 acres (28 hectares) of less formal gardens and fields containing many of his monumental sculptures. The grounds also feature the Sheep Field Barn gallery with changing exhibititions, and the medieval Aisled Barn with a display of nine large colourful tapestries based on his drawings. His famous abstract sculptures are seen by thousands around the world outside King's Cross station in London, at the Henry Moore Sculpture Centre in Toronto, Canada. You can also visit the Henry Moore Archive in the village. Adult £16.50, child £8.50, under 5 free, concession £15, student/under 25 £10, family from £30; tickets valid for one year. (updated Jul 2023)

## Do

* 51.86350.1641 Rhodes Arts Complex. venue for arts, culture and conferences (updated Mar 2017)
* Whoosh Explore (Canoe & Kayaking Club, Training & Hire), ☏ +44 1279 815258, peter.nash@yahoo.co.uk. ½-day hire kayak £25, canoe £35. (updated May 2017)
* 51.87330.27952 Clay Shooting Lessons, Parkers Farm, Smiths Green, Takeley CM22 6NY (6 miles E of town), ☏ +44 1440 420543, info@clayshootinglessons.co.uk. (updated May 2017)
* 51.86230.16513 The Little Arts Workshop (Pottery Painting & Clay Modelling), Unit 3, Millside Industrial Estate Southmill Rd, Bishops Stortford CM23 3DP, ☏ +44 7599 409668 (mobile), bookings@thelittleartsworkshop.com. (updated May 2017)
* 51.87150.18924 Bishop's Stortford Golf Club, Dunmow Rd Bishop's Stortford CM23 5HP, ☏ +44 1279 654715. (updated May 2017)
* Rugby Union: Bishop's Stortford RFC play in National League One, the third tier. Their home ground is Silver Heys off Hadham Rd, a mile northwest of town centre.

## Buy

* 51.871220.158651 Chartered Market, South St, Potter St, Market Sq and North St. Th Sa 8AM-2:30PM. (updated May 2017)

### Supermarkets

* 51.872830.160262 Waitrose (Supermarket), Northgate End, Bishop's Stortford CM23 2BA, ☏ +44 1279 466556. M-Th Sa 8AM-8PM, F 8AM-9PM, Su 10AM-4PM. (updated May 2017)
* 51.86720.16623 Aldi (Supermarket), 34 London Rd, Bishop's Stortford CM23 5NF. M-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM. (updated May 2017)

### Cyclists

* 51.864670.164924 Bakers Cycles, Unit 11 Southmill Trading Estate, Bishops Stortford, ☏ +44 1279 758718, bakersbikes@btconnect.com. M-F 10AM-1:30PM, 2:40-5PM, Sa 9:30AM-5PM. (updated May 2017)
* 51.87370.19015 Paddock Cycles (Sales, Accessories, Parts & Workshop), Suite 2, Block H Peek Business Centre, Woodside, Dunmow Rd, Bishop's Stortford CM23 5RG, ☏ +44 1279 657499, paddockcycles@hotmail.co.uk. M-F 8:30AM-6:30PM, Sa 9AM-7:30PM. (updated May 2017)

## Eat

* 51.8720380.159711 $^{[formerlydeadlink]}$ The Lemon Tree, 14-16 Water Ln, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 2JZ, ☏ +44 1279 757788, mail@lemontree.co.uk. Tu-Sa noon-2:30PM & 6-9:30PM, Su noon-3PM. (updated May 2017)
* 51.8719080.1584282 Cote Brasserie, 17 North St, Bishop's Stortford CM23 2LD, ☏ +44 1279 657190, bishopsstortford@cote-restaurants.co.uk. M-F 8AM-11PM, Sa 9AM-11PM, Su 9AM-7:30PM. Free Wi-Fi (updated May 2017)
* 51.868230.160693 South Street Pantry (Tea & Cakes), 70 South St, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3AZ, ☏ +44 1279 659510, info@southstreetpantry.co.uk. M-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 10AM-4PM. (updated May 2017)
* 51.86750.160864 Shadhona (Indian Restaurant & Take-away), 69 South St, Bishops Stortford CM23 3AL, ☏ +44 1279 656320. M-Sa noon-2:30PM & 6-11PM; Su noon-2:30PM & 6-10:30PM. (updated May 2017)
* 51.866910.160875 $^{[deadlink]}$ The Blue Elephant (Indian Restaurant & Take-away), 55 South St, Bishop's Stortford CM23 3AL. M-Sa noon-2PM & 5:15-11:30PM; Su 12:30-10PM. (updated May 2017)

## Drink

* 51.867810.162841 The Rose & Crown (Pub), 16 Station Rd, Bishops Stortford CM23 3BL, ☏ +44 1279 652515. (updated May 2017)
* 51.869140.162042 The Port Jackson (Pub & Food), Ground Floor Units D1/D2, Block D, Riverside Wharf, Riverside, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3GN, ☏ +44 1279 714460. M-W 8AM-midnight, Th-Sa 8AM-12:30AM, Su 8AM-midnight. (updated May 2017)
* 51.866750.159153 The Castle (Pub), Castle St, Bishops Stortford CM23 3TG, ☏ +44 1279 755094. M-F 4:30-11PM, Sa noon-11PM, Su noon-11:30PM. (updated May 2017)
* 51.8680.160824 The Bridge House (Pub), 78 South St, Bishops Stortford CM23 3BG, ☏ +44 1279 755705. M-Sa 11AM-2AM, Su noon-2AM. (updated May 2017)

## Sleep

* 51.8649240.1613261 Jolly Brewers Free House Inn, 170 South St, Bishop's Stortford CM23 3BQ, ☏ +44 1279 836055, enquiry@jolly-brewers.com. (updated May 2017)
* 51.8720780.1938572 Days Inn London Stansted Airport, Welcome Break Service Area (On the M11 at Junction 8, next to Starbucks and near Stansted Airport), ☏ +44 1279 656477. (updated May 2017)
* 51.8762350.1923983 Travelodge Stansted Bishops Stortford Hotel, Birchanger Ln, Birchanger CM23 5ST, ☏ +44 871 984 6444 (premium). (updated May 2017)
* 51.86690.21014 Great Hallingbury Manor Hotel, Great Hallingbury, Bishops Stortford CM22 7TJ, ☏ +44 1279 506475, info@greathallingburymanor.co.uk. (updated May 2017)
* 51.869940.17375 Phoenix Lodge (B&B), 91 Dunmow Rd, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 5HF, ☏ +44 1279 659780, bookings@phoenixlodge.co.uk. Check-in: 2-11PM. Payment cash or cheque only Single from £39; Double from £55. (updated May 2017)

## Connect

* 51.866890.160641 Post Office, 102 South St, Bishops Stortford CM23 3AA. M 9AM-5:30PM, Tu 9:30AM-5:30PM, W-F 9AM-5:30PM, Sa 9AM-12:30PM. (updated May 2017)

## Go next

* Stansted Mountfitchet
* Old Harlow
* Buntingford