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A look from above the cliff on Porthcotan Bay during high tide, December 2005, Cornwall.

Porthcothan

in the county of Cornwall

Pictures of Bishop's Stortford

About Bishop's Stortford

The urban sprawl of Hertfordshire hides many English gems. Such a one is this pleasant town where the Norman Bishop's of London had a castle. The castle gardens remain but King John destroyed most of the castle.

Walking around the town there is much to remind you of the town's history. Glance up from the modern shop fronts of today and you will get a glimpse of beautiful timber-frame buildings of Tudor England. The streets show a rich variety of architecture with elegant Georgian town houses and those solidly built in Victorian times.

This is the birthplace of Empire builder Cecil Rhodes who was born in 1853, the son of a vicar of Bishop's Stortford. Cecil Rhodes made a vast fortune from diamonds in South Africa. In the 1880's he founded the colony of Rhodesia, now known as Zambia and Zimbabwe. The vicarage where he was born is preserved as a museum of his life and times.

Trade in Bishop's Stortford did not begin to develop until the River Stort was made navigable in 1769. Following this the town began to advance its industries and became a central shopping and market area for the surrounding communities. It remains a pleasant market town with a lively, bustling atmosphere. There are many interesting places to visit including St.Michael's Church which is exceptionally spacious and has a spire that can been seen for miles around.

Now largely a commuter area for London, the town continues to attract a fair share of visitors who find comfortable hotel accommodation, a good choice of restaurants, inns and pubs, excellent shops with some specialist shops and galleries.

Places to visit include: Hatfield Forest (NT), St.Michael's Church, Cecil Rhodes Memorial Museum and Castle Gardens.

Recommended towns & villages near Bishop's Stortford

Village Cottages

Wendens Ambo (5 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Essex

(9.6 miles, 15.5 km, direction N of Bishop's Stortford)

This enchanting village with its unusual name lies at the western boundary of the county. Its quaint name comes from the joining of Great and Little Ambo in the 17th century...

Almshouse and Windmill Thaxted

Thaxted (45 Pictures) in the county of Essex

(10.0 miles, 16.0 km, direction NE of Bishop's Stortford)

The village of Thaxted is stunningly beautiful with many reminders that it was once and perhaps always has been an extremely prosperous place...

Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire

Hoddesdon (3 Pictures) in the county of Hertfordshire

(10.6 miles, 17.0 km, direction SW of Bishop's Stortford)

Hoddesdon is an ancient market town located in a spacious area of Hertfordshire close to its boundary with Essex...

Detailed parquetry on Lankester Antiques.  Saffron Walden, Essex.

Saffron Walden (198 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Essex

(11.4 miles, 18.4 km, direction N of Bishop's Stortford)

The outstanding feature of Saffron Walden is its rich variety of properties tangled around its web of ancient streets...

Epping, Essex

Epping (8 Pictures) in the county of Essex

(11.9 miles, 19.1 km, direction S of Bishop's Stortford)

Queen Elizabeth 1st was a frequent visitor to Epping. It was in 1575 on a visit to Thomas Heneage at Copped Hall that the Queen costituted him Clerk of the Market with his heirs forever, she also granted further market rights...

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Nearby attractions..

Hatfield forest country park, near Bishops Stortford, Essex. The forest is over 1000 years old.

Hatfield Forest Country Park (6 Pictures)

(3.8 miles, 6.1 km, direction E)

An ancient royal hunting ground, designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserve...

Audley End House, Saffron Walden, Essex

Audley End (133 Pictures)

(10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction N)

Once, centuries ago in the days of Henry VIII a Benedictine Abbey stood here. A casualty of King's Dissolution caused by his.....

Saffron Walden Museum, Saffron Walden, Essex

Saffron Walden Museum (6 Pictures)

(11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction N)

This is the second oldest purpose-built museum in the country. It occupies a gracious russet brick building in an enclosed.....

Castle

Saffron Walden Castle (10 Pictures)

(11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction N)

Very little remains of Saffron Walden Castle, but what is here is well worth seeing for it is a fine example of a Norman.....

Gates at Bridge End Gardens

Bridge End Gardens (15 Pictures)

(11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction N)

These perfectly laid out gardens were started in the mid 18th century by Atkinson Francis Gibson. They are particularly noted.....

This is a photo taken last summer of the side view of Benington Lordship house and its Rose Garden.

Benington Lordship (6 Pictures)

(12.1 miles, 19.5 km, direction W)

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Train

Lee Valley Park (4 Pictures)

(14.2 miles, 22.9 km, direction SW)

A 26 mile long stretch following the river Lee, the Lee Valley Park is made up of country parks, heritage sites, lake and.....


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