Herts &amp; Beds


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



<p>Teetering on the Herts/Essex border, just west of the M11 and a stone&#8217;s throw from Stansted airport, 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="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/Ronis.jpg" alt="Roni's Restaurant" class="wp-image-91562" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/Ronis.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/Ronis-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/Ronis-1000x667.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Roni&#8217;s</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.ronisrestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roni&#8217;s</a> on North Street, 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 Italian wine bar <a href="https://paisawinebar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paisa</a>, which also serves a good selection of cheese and meat boards. 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 for your caffeine fix there&#8217;s <a href="https://southstreetpantry.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">South Street Pantry</a>, which also serves up breakfast and lunch.  </p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/Untitled-design-32.jpg" alt="Florence Walk Bishop's Stortford" class="wp-image-91568" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/Untitled-design-32.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/Untitled-design-32-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/Untitled-design-32-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/Untitled-design-32-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/Untitled-design-32-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/Untitled-design-32-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s a decent smattering of high street boutiques here intermingled with some indies, including <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maisondescarlett/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maison de Scarlett</a> for designer men and womenswear. There&#8217;s also the shopping arcade, Florence Walk – 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><a href="https://www.thesignaturespa.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Signature Spa</a> 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>. <a href="https://www.tisdallshairandbeauty.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tisdalls Hair and Beauty</a> does the whole works, while <a href="https://msalons.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">M Salon</a> is a good bet 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 – there&#8217;s not one by two golf clubs locally, <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. Wellbeing wise, <a href="https://sanchiaaronbergtherapy.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sanchia Aronberg</a> offers reflexology and women&#8217;s health coaching.</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 December when much of the centre of town is pedestrianised with more than 100 stalls. There&#8217;s a splash park and playground for the kids to enjoy in the summer months, and a 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 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, racketball and 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 three hour <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 carnival). 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="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/South-mill-arts-external.jpg" alt="South mill arts bishop's stortford" class="wp-image-78509" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/South-mill-arts-external.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/South-mill-arts-external-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/South-mill-arts-external-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/South-mill-arts-external-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: South Mills Arts</figcaption></figure>



<p>Fancy a night at the theatre? No problem! Bishop&#8217;s Stortford has its own –<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 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="Detached 4-bed on St Michaels Mead development, on the market for £750,000. Bishops Stortford" 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> and <a href="https://www.stjosephs207.herts.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Joseph&#8217;s Catholic Primary</a> are both rated Good by Ofsted and <a href="https://www.windhill.herts.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Windhill21 Primary</a> is Outstanding for pre-school care. 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> – all rated good.</p>



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



<p>The town&#8217;s best known school is 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 plenty of Ofsted Good and Outstanding state schools, 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 for secondary, <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>.  </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><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 260 Best Places to Live</a></em>.</em></p>


Bishop’s Stortford

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