Events & Activities in Bishop’s Stortford
This page gives information on events and activities in Bishop’s Stortford. It is updated daily. If you would like to advertise on this website and the Facebook page, please do get in touch by using the email address opposite.
Tuesday 12th May – Craft and chatter
Bring your art and craft projects, or come and have a go in the company of others, at this craft and chatter group on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 10.30am – 12.30pm. At Bishop’s Stortford Methodist Church, 34b South Street, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3AZ.
Wednesday 13th May – Walking Book Group
Fancy a stroll around Castle Park and Sworders Field while having a lovely chat about books and reading? Join Bishop’s Stortford Library, The Causeway, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 2EJ, on Wednesday 13th May from 10.30am, to discuss You Are Here by David Nicholls (a great book that heavily features walking). Meet at the Library for refreshments, bring a disposable coffee cup to fill and enjoy on your walk if you wish, before heading out. This is a free event, but please register your interest in the library. Multiple copies of the book are available to borrow.
Wednesday 13th May – A Special Cup
Join Bishop’s Stortford Methodist Church, 34B South Street, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3AZ, every week on a Wednesday from 12 noon – 4pm. They do a bring and share lunch, have a good chat and then play games. Come make new friends or meet with old ones.
Friday 15th May – Chatty Cafe
The ‘Chatter and Natter table’ is a wonderful way of encouraging people of all ages to talk to others. Do come along and sit for a chat. Fridays from 9am – 10.30am, at TouchPoint Hub, Crafton Green House, 72 Chapel Hill, Stansted Mountfitchet, Stansted, CM24 8AQ.
Friday 15th May – Storytime
Half an hour of stories and rhymes which pre-schoolers will love. This activity is free, but donations are welcome. At Bishop’s Stortford Library, The Causeway, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 2EJ, Fridays from 10.30am.
Friday 15th May – Friendly Fridays
Drop in and meet others while playing a fun and friendly board game. All welcome, no experience required. Free. Refreshments available, with donations welcome. At Bishop’s Stortford Library, The Causeway, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 2EJ. Fridays from 2pm – 5pm. Until at least the end of the year.
Saturday 16th May – Castle Park Parkrun
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog or run. The event takes place at Castle Park, The Causeway, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 2DL. Saturdays from 9am, for further information click here
Saturday 16th May – Lego Club
Come along to Bishop’s Stortford Library, The Causeway, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 2EJ, fun challenges that build problem solving skills, spatial awareness, and creative thinking. Suitable for children aged 6-11 years old. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Places are limited so please book at the library. £4.40 per child. Saturdays from 3pm – 4pm.
Saturday 16th May – Disco Bingo
Disco Bingo at The Crown Inn, Elsenham Cross Cottage, Elsenham, Bishop’s Stortford, CM22 6DG, every third Saturday of the month.
Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May – Spring Craft Fair
Annual Cammas Hall Spring Craft Fair, free entry, no booking required, on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May, welcoming local suppliers offering lovely products to browse, including gifts, jewellery and homemade crafts. The stalls will be open between 10am and 4pm each day. In addition: Saturday 16th May Live music from Lucy Greenaway, Dog Agility and Competitions with Indie Waggy Tails. Fabulous food and drink. Sunday 17th May Live music from Lucy Wilde, Stort 10-5 and 10 mile race, Fabulous food and drink.
Sunday 17th May – Dawn Chorus
Join an early morning walk around Thorley Wash, Spellbrook, North Bishop’s Stortford, CM22 7SE, for the dawn chorus as you hope to hear the rich tapestry of birdsong: sedge warblers, chiffchaffs, reed buntings, blackcaps and more. Suitable for adults and older children. Please be aware there is a deep step up to the bridge that leads across the Stort onto the reserve, which may be difficult for people with limited mobility. Sunday 17th May from 5am – 7am. To book click here
Sunday 17th May – Junior Parkrun
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors 4-14 year olds. The event takes place at Grange Paddocks Leisure Centre, Rye Street, Bishops Stortford, CM23 3HH, every Sunday from 9am. Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee in a local café. For further information click here
Monday 18th May – Quiet Book Club
Discover new books and authors, connect with fellow book lovers and unwind and de-stress in a relaxed atmosphere. There will be time at the end of each session to have an informal chat about what you are reading and, of course, plenty of time to relax and read. No booking necessary. Refreshments provided. At Bishop’s Stortford Library, The Causeway, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 2EJ. Every Monday from 5pm – 7pm, until at least February 2027.
Monday 18th May – Board of Mondays
Enjoy free use of Nintendo Entertainment System and many board games including Trivial Pursuit, Scrabble and more. At The Star Inn, Bridge Street, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 2JU. Mondays from 6pm – 11pm until at least the end of August.
Tuesday 19th May – Knit and Natter
Knit and natter on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 10am – 12 noon at Bishop’s Stortford Methodist Church, 34b South Street, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3AZ.
Wednesday 20th May – Local History Walk and Talk
Explore the history of Bishop’s Stortford now and then with local expert Stewart Marshall before returning to the library for refreshments. At Bishop’s Stortford Library, The Causeway, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 2EJ. Book in the library as places are limited. Donations welcome.
Wednesday 20th May – LGBTQ+ Group
Monthly get together for LGBTQ+ people of all ages, genders and sexualities. Looking for a social circle of like-minded people? Fed up with being stereotyped? We provide a fun and friendly environment for all LGBTQ+ members to come and hang out, chat and chill together with other like-minded people in the community. Third Wednesday of the month from 3pm – 5pm, at Starbucks Cafe, Jackson Square Shopping Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23.
Saturday 23rd May – Birchanger Wood Open Day
Come and join this open day Birchanger Wood, on Saturday 23 May from 10am – 3pm. Entry is free and it is a beautiful time to visit the wood as Spring is in full flow. There will be lots of fun activities planned including woodland scavenger hunt, pond dipping, insect and bug ID, owl pellet dissection and crafting. Plus the East Herts Woodturners will be there for demonstrations and there will be lots of beautiful hand-crafted items for sale. All activities are free, but donations are very gratefully received and will help to support the conservation work at the wood. A card reader will be available. Find us at our compound just off Heath Row, next to the water tower click here
Saturday 23rd – Monday 25th May – Flower Festival and Fete
Come and enjoy the St Mary’s Church, annual Flower Festival and Fete, at Hatfield Broad Oak, Bishop’s Stortford, Saturday 23rd – Monday 25th May.
Monday 25th May – Jazz Afternoon Tea
Come and enjoy a quintessentially English afternoon tea accompanied by the sounds of Jazz classics, and timeless vintage songs. Grab your friends and family to come and savour scrumptious sweet treats and sip on English sparkling wine in a mansion room, or out on a beautiful Terrace (Weather Dependant). At Down Hall Hotel and Spa, Matching Road, Hatfield Heath, Bishop’s Stortford, CM22 7AS. Monday 25th May from 1pm – 4.30pm. To book click here
Saturday 30th May – Farmers Market
The Elsenham Farmers Market is on the last Saturday of the month from 12.30pm – 2.30pm, at Elsenham Village Hall (School Hall), High Street, Bishop Stortford. Come and join them and treat yourself to some fabulous produce, meet a friend for a coffee and cake, grab something delicious for lunch and support small, independent businesses and shop local.
Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May – Art Exhibition
A joyful two-day celebration of children, colour and creativity, held in a welcoming community space. Creative workshops throughout the day for children and parents, a vibrant exhibition of young artists’ work, and prizes celebrating imagination and expression. Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May from 10am – 3pm. At Jackson Square, Devoils Lane, Bishop’s Stortford. CM23 3XH.
Sunday 31st May – Colour Fun Run
Colour Run is a fun, messy and memorable day out with family and friends exploding into a brand‑new Bishop’s Stortford location. Together you will dash your way through a 5k rainbow route with each station you pass leaving you covered in colour. Help St Clare Hospice be the rainbow on someone’s rainy day by joining them for this joyful experience under multicoloured skies. At Bishop’s Stortford Rugby Club, Silver Leys, Hadham Road, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 2QE. Sunday 31st May from 10am. To book click here
Monday 8th June – Craft Club
Open to all, drop in, bring your current project or just have a chat over a cuppa. Every second Monday of the month from 10.30am – 12 noon. At Bishop’s Stortford Library, The Causeway, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 2EJ.
Sunday 21st June – Guided Walk
Join this summer solstice for a walk around Thorley Wash to experience the sights and sounds of summer. Learn about the reserve and enjoy the summer flowers, butterflies and birdsong. You will also look out for signs of water voles and may even catch sight of one. Please be aware there is a deep step up to the bridge that leads across the Stort onto the reserve, which may not be suitable for people with limited mobility. Suitable for adults and older children. Sunday 21st June from 10am – 12 noon. At Thorley Wash, Spellbrook, North Bishop’s Stortford, CM22 7SE. To book click here
Friday 17th July – Stort Pride
An evening of unapologetic joy, performances from talented LGBTQIA2S+ performers and community connection. Family Fun day with stalls and activities Jackson Square. At Southmill Arts Centre, South Road, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3JG. Powerful performances, Inclusive, Diverse, Fun vibes where everyone is celebrated. Friday 17th July. To book click here
Friday 17th and Saturday 18th July – The Big Bash
Stortford’s two Day family focused, community music festival returns with a great varied line up of music, kids entertainment, local food and drink vendors. Friday 3.30pm – 11pm. Saturday 11.30am – 11pm. For further information and to book click here
Saturday 18th July – Summer Fayre
Little Hadham Village Hall, summer fayre, The Ford, Little Hadham, SG11 2BP. Lots of fun for all the family with Live stage music acts throughout the day. Activity arena, Dog Show, Circus Skills and more. Bar tent, BBQ, food concessions and craft stalls. Saturday 18th July from 1pm – 10pm. To book click here
Sunday 23rd August – Guided Walk
Join a summer walk to enjoy the late summer flowers, dragonflies and damselflies and hear about the resident water voles.
Please be aware there is a deep step up to the bridge that leads across the Stort onto the reserve, which may not be suitable for people with limited mobility. Suitable for adults and older children. Sunday 23rd August from 10am – 12 noon. At Thorley Wash, Spellbrook, North Bishop’s Stortford, CM22 7SE. To book click here
Friday 4th September – Golf Day: Charity Fundraiser
A fantastic Golf Day at Bishop’s Stortford Golf Club, Dunmow Road, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 5HP, raising vital funds to support the Breast Unit at The Princess Alexandra Hospital. Enjoy a full afternoon and evening of golf, food, and fundraising at this beautiful course, all for an incredible cause. Event Schedule, 12.30pm coffee and bacon rolls, 1.30pm Shotgun start Halfway hut. 6.:30pm two-course dinner. Cost £85 per person. For further information contact the office: 01279 973 743 or 07920 855 592 or hayley.sweet@nhs.net
Saturday 5th September – Bat Talk
Join the Herts and Middlesex Bat Group at Thorley Wash Nature Reserve for a guided introduction to the world of bats. Following a short introductory talk you will be shown how to use a simple bat detector. They will then explore the different habitats and see how various bat species use them. Through the use of the detectors we will be able to “hear” the bat as they hunt for their insect prey. This event is weather dependent and may need to be cancelled at short notice. Please be aware there is a deep step up to the bridge that leads across the Stort onto the reserve, which may not be suitable for people with limited mobility. Suitable for ages 8+. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Saturday 5th September from 7pm – 9pm. At Thorley Wash, Spellbrook, North Bishop’s Stortford, CM22 7SE. To book click here
Sunday 22nd November – Christmas Craft Fair
Christmas Craft Fair at Little Hadham Village Hall, summer fayre, The Ford, Little Hadham, SG11 2BP. Handmade gifts, Santa’s Grotto and festive wonder. Sunday 22nd November from 10am – 3.30pm.
Thursday 26th November – Saturday 2nd January – Beauty and the Beast
Big Adventure Productions returns with the fairy-tale classic Beauty and the Beast, written and directed by Ian McFarlane. A magical story of enchanted roses, wicked spells and heroic princesses. With an all singing/all dancing cast of professional performers and lots of audience participation. The performance on Tuesday, 29th December at 11am is a relaxed performance, ideal for those who would benefit from a more comfortable environment, with the lights a bit brighter and the sound slightly softer. Please note, all running times are approximate and all under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult. Thursday 26th November – Saturday 2nd January At Southmill Arts Centre, South Road, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3JG. To book click here
