Bishop's Stortford

Travel Guide

Bishop\'s Stortford showing heritage architecture and a castle
Mountfitchet Castle featuring chateau or palace and heritage elements
Mountfitchet Castle which includes music and interior views
Bishop's Stortford
Bishop's Stortford

Relax in a picturesque town just outside of London, set in gorgeous countryside and home to historical attractions.

Lift a knight’s sword, explore a replica Norman castle and learn about a controversial figure from British history when you visit Bishop’s Stortford. This attractive town is nestled in the Hertfordshire countryside, a short drive from London.

To get a sense of Bishop’s Stortford’s rich history, visit the Bishop’s Stortford Museum. See clothes from the Victorian era and the medieval village stocks that were used to punish petty criminals. One of the highlights of the museum is the collection dedicated to Cecil Rhodes. In the late 19th century, the Bishop's Stortford-born businessmen, politician and colonist acquired territory now known as Zimbabwe for the British Empire. Examine artefacts, documents and photos that tell the story of his life.

The museum is part of the Rhodes Arts Complex that also includes a theatre, cinema and the Thorleybourne Gallery. Exhibitions featuring local and nationally renowned artists regularly pass through here, so be sure to check out what is on when you visit.

A short drive outside of the town is Mountfitchet Castle. Explore this replica Norman castle and its village on the site where the originals stood more than 900 years ago. Find out if you have the strength to hold a knight’s sword and view life-size models of the giant siege weapons used during the Norman Conquest of 1066.

Located just minutes from the castle is the House on the Hill Toy Museum. Browse a staggering collection of more than 70,000 toys including wooden dolls from the Roman Empire and Victorian teddy bears. Exhibits include some of the first electronic games to ever hit the shelves.

When you are back in the town centre, be sure to tour the farmers market on Thursdays. Purchase local produce such as meats, cheese and homemade jams.

Bishop’s Stortford is about 30 miles (48 kilometres) from London and less than an hour’s drive from Cambridge. While you are here, take advantage of the town’s rural setting to explore the English countryside.

Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport

Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport

4 out of 5
Waltham Close Stansted Airport, Bishop's Stortford, England
The price is RM463 per night from 5 Nov to 6 Nov
RM463
RM556 total
5 Nov - 6 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Bishop's Stortford. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,489 reviews)
"Clean room, very efficient service on check in,nice bar area, very quiet, perfect location to catch an early morning flight."

Reviewed on 7 Oct 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport
Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG

Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG

3 out of 5
Thremhall Avenue, London Stansted Airport, Bishop's Stortford, England
The price is RM435 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
RM435
RM522 total
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Bishop's Stortford. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,122 reviews)
"Close to airport."

Reviewed on 7 Oct 2025

Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG
Premier Inn London Stansted Airport

Premier Inn London Stansted Airport

3 out of 5
Thremhall Avenue, Stansted Airport, Bishop's Stortford, England
The price is RM255 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
RM255
RM306 total
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Bishop's Stortford. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Hatfield Forest ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (82 reviews)
"Wonderful experience. Good service."

Reviewed on 29 Sept 2025

Premier Inn London Stansted Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
121 Studio

121 Studio

3 out of 5
121 Waytemore Road, Bishop's Stortford, England
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Bishop's Stortford. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Rhodes Arts Complex ...
7.6/10 Good! (5 reviews)
"Stayed here for one night for business purposes. Wasn’t quite sure when I initially arrived, but was very pleasantly surprised! Had everything - TV, fridge (with milk!), ice, utensils, VERY COMFY DOUBLE bed, en-suite bathroom. Only drawback was there’s no terrestrial TV! Very very good place to stay ..."

Reviewed on 22 May 2025

121 Studio
Turing Locke Cambridge

Turing Locke Cambridge

4 out of 5
47 Eddington Ave, Cambridge, England
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Cambridge. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (492 reviews)
"Nice place. A bit confusing as to where you can park a car. Self check in, was efficient but soulless. Well equipped rooms."

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

Turing Locke Cambridge
The Regent Aparthotel

The Regent Aparthotel

3.5 out of 5
41 Regent St, Cambridge, England
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Cambridge. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (251 reviews)
Hojo
"Excellent location. Spacious room."

Reviewed on 11 Oct 2025

The Regent Aparthotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Bishop's Stortford

3.6
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
43
5 - Excellent 20%
4 - Good
87
4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
67
3 - Okay 31%
2 - Disappointing
13
2 - Disappointing 6%
1 - Terrible
9
1 - Terrible 4%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Fabulous childhood memoried

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Nothing

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Other than travelling using m11 in the dark and flying from stanstead airport didn’t see it

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Not in B. Stortford but 1mile through windey lanes from Hatfield Heath and Matching Tye.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Didn’t actually go anywhere

4/5 - Good

CarlStephenson

Did not venture out due to rain