Bishop's Stortford

Bishop's Stortford is a market town in East Hertfordshire that sits on both banks of the River Stort, roughly 35 kilometers northeast of London near Stansted Airport and the M11 motorway. Administration runs through three levels: town council, district council, and county council, which together coordinate local services and community development projects.

The settlement took its name after the Bishop of London acquired the estate in 1060, which led to the construction of Waytemore Castle in 1086. The Stort Navigation, opened in 1769, turned the place into an important center for grain trade between London and Cambridge.

The river divides the settlement into two sections, with the historic streets around the marketplace forming the commercial center. On market days, traders and shoppers gather at the old square, where regular events also take place.

The location near Stansted Airport makes the town easy to reach for visitors from the region and abroad. The center can be explored on foot, with most points of interest and shops within a few minutes' walk from the train station.

South Mill Arts houses a theater, cinema, and museum under one roof and presents exhibitions on local history throughout the year. The venue attracts both locals and visitors looking for cultural events and historical insights.

Location: East Hertfordshire

Website: http://bishopsstortford.org

GPS coordinates: 51.87200,0.17250

Latest update: December 12, 2025 23:44