Hertfordshire self catering holiday cottages

Bishop's Stortford have a wealth of food stores. 5 minutes walk to the town offers a Sainsburys and Waitrose. The town has a great butcher and 2 bakeries. Thursday is market day offering local ham, cheese and meat also a well stocked fishmonger and fabulous flowers and fruit and veg. Tesco is on the outskirts of town. It should be possible to arrange for on-line deliveries from local supermarkets. On the door there is an interesting Oriental mini market you could easily shop for a week from here. Also on the door a great sandwich and patisserie shop perfect for an early breakfast. We also have a Portuguese deli and cafe within minutes walk.

We are fortunate to have many cafes and restaurants in the town. Within minutes walk you have Cafe Masala in my opinion the best Indian in the town who offer a very good value set lunch  during the week (worth booking at weekend). Still within minutes we have a Chinese restaurant also offering a value set lunch, Thai Restaurant, Portuguese Cafe and a couple of pubs one being the Cock with roaring fires in the winter time. In the town 5 minutes walk we have the chains including Pizza Express, Zizzi, Brasserie Gerrard, McDonalds, Kentucky and Pizza Hut. Lots of privately run cafes catering for every palate. In the summer months it is a treat to take some Tapas and  a few drinks on the terrace of the Host Bar watching the world go by.

Entertainment

The cinema and bowling complex is within 5 minutes walk. The town has a theatre and Museum at the Rhodes Centre worth a look in the local paper to see what is available. You are a few minutes from the town park which has a large childrens playground and paddling pool in the summer. The river runs through the park and it is easy to find a tranquil spot under the willows. At the far end of the park is an adventure park and skate board ramps. At the far end of the park and along a track ( follow the railway lines ) you will come to an exercise circuit and the public swimming pool and gym. If you prefer a tranquil walk along the river bank you can walk or jog  along the tow path south towards Sawbridgeworth join the towpath just past the cinema complex as you walk into town the path is on the cinema side of the bridge. The town hosts a number of events throughout the year including continental markets carnivals and fayres. A childrens soft play area is situated on Stansted Road at the junction of Michaels Road. We have a variety of night clubs in the town.

Churches - Bishop's Stortford has wealth of churches including the Beautiful St Michaels Church on Windhill dating back to approx 1600 (worth a look even if you do not worship) this is a traditional Church of England Church with Services around 10.30 on Sunday the times do sometimes vary, children welcome a crèche available. We also have a very lively church being the Charis centre on Water Lane - a warm welcome will await you great for families worth checking the times and dates as they arrange lots of exciting events.

Tourist routes

The historic village of Stansted has an award winning Mountfitchet Castle full of very friendly deer. Stansted also has the House on the Hill 25,000 toys and books dating from the late Victorian times.

Historic houses include Anglesey Abbey, Audley End, Wimpole Hall the Imperial war museum at Duxford is also a great day (many special events - wrap up warm in the winter).

Hatfield Forest is one of the oldest hunting forests in England  400 hectares of ancient coppice woodlands provides great walking and cycling also superb coarse fishing in the  lakes. The forest has a variety of events throughout the year this is  a national trust property who should be able to advise you of the itinerary.

Cambridge is always full of activities enjoy the architecture of the University buildings, the shops are very entertaining especially for books and music. You can hire a punt for a trip along the Cam. Or take tea at the famous Orchard Tea rooms.