Bishop's Stortford Information: 10 top things to know... more
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1: History
The town has grown up around the ford over the river, which is now known as the Stort. The town was originally called Esterteferd, and this name may have come from a family name, possibly Steorta (old English, Steort - tail). The town was once famous for its hostelries, because it was a staging post on the mail coach routes between London and Cambridge and Newmarket. Many of th...Read more
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2: Now
The town still has an identity as a market town, despite its growth over the years. It also has over 90 acres of parks and green spaces. Local councils serving the town are Bishop’s Stortford Town Council and East Herts Council.
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3: Events
The Bishop’s Stortford Carnival and Fun Day is held in June and includes a parade of costumes, floats and troupes, followed by a day of activities at Sworder’s Field. The Bishop’s Stortford Running Club has two annual open events: the Stortford 10, in June, and the Bishop’s Stortford Fun Run, in September. The Stortford Music Festival is held in May and consists of thre...Read more
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4: Attractions
The Bishop’s Stortford Museum, in the Rhodes Arts Complex, tells the history of the town through many artefacts, hands-on exhibits, activities and a dressing up section. The museum is also home to the Bishop’s Stortford Town Mural. The Forge Museum is housed in a Grade II listed building in the nearby village of Much Hadham. The rooms have been restored to reflect periods i...Read more
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5: Things To Do
Play Space is a large indoor soft play centre for children, with equipment divided into age sections. There is also an American style diner on site. The Grange Paddocks Leisure Centre includes a fitness suite and exercise studio, a swimming pool and teaching pool, sports tracks and pitches and a creche. Sworder’s Field includes two skate facilities, a multi-purpose goal/sport...Read more
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6: Business
Jackson Square is the main shopping centre in the town, containing many high street names and independent retailers. The town’s big department store is Pearson’s. Markets are held in Market Square on Thursdays and Saturdays. There are plenty of places offering food and drink in the town, from tea rooms and pubs to restaurants selling world cuisine. Farmers’ markets and ar...Read more
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7: Transport
By car, Buxton is accessed by A-roads: A6, A515, A54, A53 and A537. The nearest motorways are the M6, to the west, and the M1, to the east. Manchester Airport is the closest airport to the town and is easily reached by rail or road. The town’s train station is in Station Road and has good services to the rest of the region.
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8: Entertainment
Buxton Opera House is one of Britain’s leading provincial theatres, and offers around 450 performances each year including dance, comedy, children’s shows, drama, music, pantomime, opera and even shows on ice. Local and regional bands play open-air concerts every Sunday afternoon and on Bank Holidays at the bandstand in the Pavilion Gardens.
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9: Famous Landmarks
The Crescent building is a Grade I listed site with a great history to tell. It has been dubbed as “Britain’s first leisure resort” and was built in 1780. The site is currently the subject of a regeneration plan.
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10: Interesting Fact
Buxton is 1,000ft above sea level and this makes it the highest market town in England. 10: Interesting Fact The Singing Ringing Tree is a musical sculpture situated at Crown Point, above the town. The construction is made from metal pipes that make a humming sound when the wind blows. They have been specially tuned so that they do not disturb the wildlife. 10: Interesting Fact
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Bishop's Stortford Events
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Tiny toes ballet Essex Mid & South - South Woodham Ferrers
Tiny toes ballet offers fun inclusive baby, toddler & kids dance classes that nurture confidence & promote development in Essex. Book a two-week trial. Welcome to tiny toes ballet Essex Mid & South! Offering award-winning pre-school children's ballet and da ...more
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Bishop's Stortford Marketplace
Bishop's Stortford Blog
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Title defended by champion crier
Champion town crier Carole Williams will highlight the attractions of Bishop’s Stortford when she competes to defend her title in a national competition. Carol, who holds the titles of World No 1 Female Crier and the highest ranking in...
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Talented writers win top prizes
Talented young writers have enjoyed their first taste of success after winning top prizes in a short story competition. Three overall winners were chosen at the end of the Bishop’s Stortford College Festival of Literature Short Story Competition. The...
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Buses make a comeback
Residents could soon be back on the buses thanks to a new community transport project. The community service is set to be launched in May to replace bus routes that used to be run by private operators. The bus services had...
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Success for local talent
Popular local indie band I Dream In Colour are close to hitting the bit time after selling out at their recent London gigs. The Bishop’s Stortford band have gathered a big following in the region in recent years and are now...
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