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 artifacts, documents and photos that tell the story of his life.

The museum is part of the Rhodes Arts Complex that also includes a theater, 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 center, 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 kilometers) 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 RM557 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
RM557
RM669 total
14 Jul - 15 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Bishop's Stortford. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,420 reviews)
"Great location and amenities"

Reviewed on 3 Jul 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 RM558 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
RM558
RM669 total
14 Jul - 15 Jul
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! (1,070 reviews)
Ideal for Stansted
"Comfortable and quiet. Five minutes / 1.5 miles drive to airport parking. Breakfast from 4am was a real bonus. Great staff. Would stay again."

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG
Ramada by Wyndham London Stansted Airport
Ramada by Wyndham London Stansted Airport
3.5 out of 5
Welcome Break Birchanger Green, Jct 8, M11 Mtrwy, Old Dumow Rd, Bishop's Stortford, England
The price is RM245 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
RM245
RM294 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Bishop's Stortford. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Ramada by Wyndham 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.
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (432 reviews)
"Excellent hotel apartment and lovely restaurant nearby too."

Reviewed on 22 Jun 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! (238 reviews)
"Overall we had an amazing stay, however, if a regular warm or hot shower is important to you, you may not want to stay at this property. We stayed 5 nights and only had hot water on two days. We know that other guests had the same issue. Mentioned it to staff who said it was due to water pressure ..."

Reviewed on 21 Jun 2025

The Regent Aparthotel
Ilford Tower Apartments
Ilford Tower Apartments
3.5 out of 5
Riches Rd, Ilford, England
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Ilford. Enjoy free WiFi and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions ExCeL Exhibition Centre and O2 Arena are located ...
7.6/10 Good! (6 reviews)
"Was a very pleasant stay. Just would recommend making the locks on the main door more secure."

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2025

Ilford Tower Apartments
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.

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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