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

United Reformed Church

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

The nearest airport is London Stansted (STN IATA) in Essex, around 5.5 mi (8.9 km) east of the town centre. It is one of the UK's largest international airports, with a great many flights arriving daily from other UK nations and regions, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

Rail services between the Stansted Airport and Bishop's Stortford are operated by Stansted Express, part of the National Rail network. Journeys usually take less than 10 minutes.

Bus services operate all day and overnight between Stansted Airport and Bishop's Stortford, using routes 508/509/510.

Airports further afield include:

By train

A mix of express, fast and "stopping" rail services call at 🌍 Bishop's Stortford railway station, which are all part of the National Rail network.

Trains arrive from:

From Hertford East and Ware, use trains to Broxbourne and change for services to Bishop's Stortford.

By road

Bishop's Stortford can become congested at peak periods, with slow moving traffic throughout the town and its surroundings.

There are several car parks in the town centre, including at 🌍 Jackson Square and 🌍 Northgate End.

Several major routes bypass or enter Bishop's Stortford, including:

By bicycle

Get around

The town is small enough to be seen on foot.

See

Rhodes Arts Complex and Bishop's Stortford Museum
  • 🌍 Waytemore Castle. A motte and bailey castle ruin. OSM directions target=_blank (updated Mar 2017)
  • 🌍 Stanstead Raceway (Banger Racing), Lovecotes Farm, Chickney Rd, Henham Village CM22 6BH, ☏ +44 7851 204063 (mobile). OSM directions target=_blank (updated May 2017)
  • 🌍 Empire (Cinema), Anchor St Bishop's Stortford CM23 3BP. OSM directions target=_blank (updated May 2017)
  • 🌍 Bishop's Stortford Museum, 1-3 South Rd, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3JG, ☏ +44 1279 710200, . M-F 10AM-5PM (last entry 4PM), Sa 10AM-4PM (last entry 3PM). Housed in the birthplace of Cecil Rhodes OSM directions target=_blank (updated May 2017)
  • 🌍 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, . 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. OSM directions target=_blank (updated Jul 2023)

Do

Buy

  • 🌍 Chartered Market, South St, Potter St, Market Sq and North St. Th Sa 8AM-2:30PM. OSM directions target=_blank (updated May 2017)

Supermarkets

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

Cyclists

Eat

Drink

  • 🌍 The Rose & Crown (Pub), 16 Station Rd, Bishops Stortford CM23 3BL, ☏ +44 1279 652515. OSM directions target=_blank (updated May 2017)
  • 🌍 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. OSM directions target=_blank (updated May 2017)
  • 🌍 The Castle (Pub), Castle St, Bishops Stortford CM23 3TG, ☏ +44 1279 755094. M-F 4:30-11PM, Sa noon-11PM, Su noon-11:30PM. OSM directions target=_blank (updated May 2017)
  • 🌍 The Bridge House (Pub), 78 South St, Bishops Stortford CM23 3BG, ☏ +44 1279 755705. M-Sa 11AM-2AM, Su noon-2AM. OSM directions target=_blank (updated May 2017)

Sleep

Connect

  • 🌍 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. OSM directions target=_blank (updated May 2017)

Go next

Routes through Bishop's Stortford
Cambridge ← Saffron Walden ←  N  S  → Old Harlow → London


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