Bishop’s Stortford is an ancient market town on the Hertfordshire / Essex border. It has a rich collection of 16th and 17th century buildings in the centre, including several of the old inns that are still in business.
The Bishop’s Stortford Museum is housed in the original Victorian building which was the birthplace of Cecil Rhodes (1853 – 1902), financier and founder of diamond company De Beers. Also there, is the local entertainment venue, Rhodes, which provides a year round varied programme of events including in-house, professional and local theatre, dance productions, live music, comedy, exhibitions, educational workshops and lectures.
The attractive Castle Gardens, with the river running through, are a great place to spend a summer’s day, with the park, paddling pool and tennis courts. If you borrow the key from the Tourist Information Centre, you can also visit the traces of the foundations of the 10th Century Waytemore Castle on top of the mound there. The moat is still visible as a waterway surrounding it.
In the town centre, visitors can enjoy the many wonderful cafes and restaurants and shop in the great array of stores available.
On Thursdays and Saturdays, you can stroll along the main street and browse and buy goods from the fantastic choice of market stalls.
We hope to see you here soon.
TIC address: 2 Market Square, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts CM23 3UU
Tel: 01279 715001
Website: www.bishopsstortfordtc.gov.uk
Email: tic@bishopsstortford.org
Twitter: @ticbs
Facebook: BishopsStortfordTIC
Market days: Thursdays and Saturdays
Points of interest:
Bishop’s Stortford Museum and Rhodes www.rhodesbishopsstortford.org.uk
Waytemore Castle Mound
Park and Gardens
St Michael’s (a 15th Century church)
Black and white timbered buildings
Nearby:
Mountfitchet Castle www.mountfitchetcastle.com
Audley End House and Gardens www.english-heritage.org.uk/audley
Hatfield Forest www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hatfieldforest
Henry Moore Foundation, Perry Green
Epping Ongar Railway www.eorailway.co.uk