Herts &amp; Beds


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>It might be teetering on the Herts/Essex border, just west of the M11 and a stone&#8217;s throw from Stansted airport, but Bishop&#8217;s Stortford boasts its own country park, has a river running through it, a National Trust Forest on the doorstep and oodles of pretty villages nearby. &#8216;Stortford&#8217; (call it that if you want to blend in like a local), isn&#8217;t half an attractive prospect for East Londoners looking to move out of town, or commuters who have to travel regularly for work. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1124" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/skew-bar-from-website_Fotor.png" alt="Skew Restaurant Bishop's Stortford" class="wp-image-72326" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/skew-bar-from-website_Fotor.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/skew-bar-from-website_Fotor-800x599.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/skew-bar-from-website_Fotor-1000x749.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/skew-bar-from-website_Fotor-701x525.png 701w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Skew Restaurant&#8217;s riverside terrace</figcaption></figure>



<p>Plenty of foodie finds. For special occasions, check out <a href="https://www.skewrestaurant.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Skew Restaurant and Oyster Bar</a> with its chic riverside terrace and party vibes, or stylish Mediterranean restaurant, <a href="https://www.pirciorestaurant.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pircio</a> in Market Square&#8217;s Drill Hall while <a href="https://zara-dining.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zara</a> is an elegant Indian. For local mid-range options you&#8217;ve got the family run <a href="https://www.cibosiciliankitchen.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cibo</a> Sicilian kitchen and <a href="https://www.smokebbqkitchen.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smoke BBQ Kitchen</a> for burgers, wings and ribs. </p>



<p>And to drink? You&#8217;ll find wine, craft beer (and cheese!) at the <a href="https://www.thebishopscave.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bishop&#8217;s Cave</a> and cocktails at <a href="https://www.drinksboutique.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Drinks Boutique</a>, while you can get yourself a bottomless brunch at the kooky <a href="https://www.eatdrinkpeach.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peach</a>. There&#8217;s also the fab <a href="https://www.eat17.co.uk/bishops-stortford-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eat17</a> where you can grab some street food with your sustainable groceries and refills, and some beautiful Italian pastries with your Macchiato at <a href="https://pasticceriadileo.co.uk/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pasticceria di Leo</a>.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<p>There&#8217;s a decent smattering of high street boutiques here, like Joules, Mint Velvet and Phase Eight, intermingled with some indy ones including <a href="https://muse-boutique.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Muse</a> and <a href="https://www.aristocrat.uk.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aristocrat</a> for designer men and womenswear. There&#8217;s also the shopping arcade, Florence Walk &#8211; so chic that it has it&#8217;s own <a href="https://www.instagram.com/florencewalk.shopping" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram account</a>! Plus if you like buying local, there&#8217;s a monthly farmer&#8217;s market on North Street. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>The Signature Spa offers a range of premium brands and advanced treatments, as does <a href="https://skinclinicaturbanspabeauty.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Skin Clinic at Urban Spa Beauty</a>. While <a href="https://www.tisdallshairandbeauty.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tisdalls Hair and Beauty</a> does the whole works and <a href="https://msalons.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">M Salon</a> is a good best for taming your bouffant. Boutique Gym, <a href="https://visionfitnessbishopsstortford.co.uk/new-page" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vision Fitness</a> will keep you in shape and <a href="https://hockerill.dental" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hockerill Dental</a> will look after your pearly whites. Want to improve your handicap? You&#8217;re in the right place &#8211; there&#8217;s not one by two golf clubs in proximity <a href="https://www.bsgc.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bishop&#8217;s Stortford Golf Club</a> and <a href="https://www.greathadham.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great Hadham Country Club</a>. All your fitness needs can be taken care of at <a href="https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/grange-paddocks-leisure-centre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grange Paddock Leisure Centre</a>, with its two swimming pools, gym, fitness studio and café. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>There&#8217;s a Carnival Parade and Fun Day every June, as well as a Christmas Fayre in Decemeber where much of the centre of town is pedestrianised with over 100 stalls. There&#8217;s a splash park and playground for the kids to enjoy in the summer months, and a new community space, <a href="https://www.bishopsstortfordtc.gov.uk/council-services/venue-hire/markwell-studio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Markwell Studio</a> at Castle Park opened in 2023, for use by local activity sessions from yoga to music groups. You&#8217;ll also find <a href="https://bssportstrust.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bishop&#8217;s Stortford Community Sports Club</a> for Cricket, Tennis, Squash and Racketball (and now Padel), as well as a venue for local events. Plus there&#8217;s a <a href="https://bsfc.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Football Club</a> and <a href="https://www.bsrfc.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rugby Club</a> if ball sports are your thing. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<p>If you&#8217;re into the great outdoors, there&#8217;s plenty of it to be had nearby, with a 3hr <a href="https://www.bishopsstortfordtc.gov.uk/what-do/waterside-stortford" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waterside walk</a> that takes in locks, meadows, a country park and nature reserve. <a href="https://www.bishopsstortfordtc.gov.uk/council-services/sworders-field" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sworder&#8217;s field</a> is great for outdoor sports (there are tennis courts, too) and big events often take place there (like the town carival). Plus there&#8217;s a playground and splash park for the kids. </p>



<p>Also check out the 23-hectare <a href="https://www.eastherts.gov.uk/sports-leisure-and-parks/local-parks-and-open-spaces/parks-open-spaces-bishops-stortford/southern-country-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southern Country Park</a> with its fish ponds, picnic areas and play parks. And the National Trust&#8217;s <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hatfield-forest" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hatfield Forest</a> has a boating lake and plenty of forest trails for walking and cycling. Plus <a href="https://www.cammashall.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cammas Hall Farm</a> is great for families, with events and PYO, farm shop and café. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/08/Henry-Moore-1.jpg" alt="Henry moore sculpture at Henry Moore Studios and Gardens" class="wp-image-73436" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/08/Henry-Moore-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/08/Henry-Moore-1-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/08/Henry-Moore-1-786x525.jpg 786w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Henry Moore Studios &amp; Gardens</figcaption></figure>



<p>Fancy a night at the theatre? No problem! Bishop&#8217;s Stortford has its own &#8211; <a href="https://southmillarts.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">South Mill Arts</a> has a museum, gallery and dance studios to boot. And if you&#8217;re into your art, <a href="https://henry-moore.org/studios-and-gardens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Henry Moore&#8217;s Studio and Galler</a><a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/henry-moore-studios-gardens-herts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">y</a> are just a stone&#8217;s throw away in Much Hadham. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Coming in at just under half a million, the average house price here is £498,436. You can get your hands on a semi for around £492,848, but for a detached des res, you&#8217;re looking at over £750,000.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="894" height="535" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-03-at-22.33.17.png" alt="" class="wp-image-87941" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-03-at-22.33.17.png 894w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Screen-Shot-2024-12-03-at-22.33.17-800x479.png 800w" sizes="(max-width: 894px) 100vw, 894px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Detached 4-bed on St Michaels Mead development, <a href="https://www.mullucks.co.uk/properties-for-sale/4-bedrooms-house-in-the-thatchers-bishops-stortford-hertfordshire-cm23/bso240282/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £750,000</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.northgate.herts.sch.uk/web" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northgate Primary</a>, <a href="https://www.stjosephs207.herts.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Joseph&#8217;s Catholic Primary</a> and <a href="https://www.windhill.herts.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Windhill21 Primary</a> all offer Oftsted Outstanding rated Pre-school care. While independent Day Nurseries include <a href="https://allaboutchildren.co.uk/sycamore-house-day-nursery/our-nursery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sycamore House</a>, <a href="https://doodledodaynursery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Doodle Do</a> and <a href="https://www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk/nursery/bishopsstortford" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Busy Bees</a> &#8211; all rated good. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS </h2>



<p>The town&#8217;s best known school must undoubtedly be the substantial Independent co-ed for 4-18 year olds, <a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/bishops-stortford-college/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bishop&#8217;s Stortford College</a>. But there are also a high number of Ofsted Outstanding primaries and secondaries, including <a href="https://www.northgate.herts.sch.uk/web" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northgate Primary</a>, <a href="https://www.stjosephs207.herts.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Joseph&#8217;s Catholic Primary</a>, <a href="https://www.windhill.herts.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Windhill21 Primary</a>, and <a href="https://www.stmarys.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Mary&#8217;s Catholic Secondary</a><a href="https://www.hockerill.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">, Hockerill Anglo-European College</a>, <a href="https://www.hertsandessex.herts.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hertfordshire and Essex High School and Science College</a> and <a href="https://tbshs.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bishop&#8217;s Stortford High School</a>. There are eight further &#8216;good&#8217; rated primaries and one &#8216;good&#8217; secondary, so you really can&#8217;t go too far wrong. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.homeandeat.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">H@me &amp; Eat</a>, hidden away on the Birchanger Industrial Estate, is a spacious and eclectically styled café and restaurant which plays host to a calendar of tribute nights and special events such as beer festivals. Oh and it&#8217;s also a homeware store and erm&#8230; hot tub showroom! </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>A cinch, particularly if you do a lot of air travel. Stansted Airport is minutes away. And trains direct to London&#8217;s Liverpool Street take from 39 mins. </p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 300 Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


Bishop’s Stortford

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