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).

By air

 * London Stansted Airport –  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 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.

Do

 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 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.

Go next

 * Stansted Mountfitchet
 * Old Harlow
 * Buntingford