Bishop's Stortford Museum

Bishop's Stortford Museum FREE to visit; telling the story of Bishop's Stortford from our first settlers through to the modern period.

Children's trails, holiday crafts and lots of amazing facts. We are on the 1st & 2nd floor of South Mill Arts, Bishop’s Stortford, and tell the story of the local community through archaeological, Medieval, Victorian and Edwardian artefacts. We also hold The Cecil Rhodes Collection containing objects relating to Cecil Rhodes, founder of De Beers diamond company, and his links to Africa. The museum

itself is based in the birthplace of Rhodes and houses an authentic Edwardian drawing room as part of its displays. Our ArtSpace also hosts rotating exhibitions PLUS the museum holds frequent workshops for adults and kids alike, lunchtime and evening lectures on a variety of interesting subjects and many more events for visitors.

On this day (the 31st of August) 1986, Henry Moore sadly passed away.Born in 1898, Moore developed as a sculptor and art...
31/08/2026

On this day (the 31st of August) 1986, Henry Moore sadly passed away.

Born in 1898, Moore developed as a sculptor and artist in the 1920’s and 1930’s. During WW2 he mainly focused on drawings. After the conflict he was commissioned to make a variety of works for buildings, including hospitals.

He was world renowned for the diverse range of creations. Eventually he formed the Henry Moore Foundation to help build and maintain interest and engagement with the artistic world.

While based in Much Hadham, Moore made an important contribution to our town’s history; records from the archives show he petitioned to maintain the Corn Exchange on account of its’ architectural and historical value.

Another interesting connection to our town’s history comes from his membership and patron status of the Bishop’s Stortford Town Twinning Association. A “staunch believer in European collaboration,” his membership of this organisation seemingly grew out of such beliefs.

The life and accomplishments of Henry Moore are on display at the Henry Moore Studios and Gardens, which you can visit at Dane Tree House, Perry Green, Much Hadham, SG10 6EE

Researched and written by Volunteer, Thomas

📖Read more: https://southmillarts.co.uk/henry-moore/

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Please note our opening hours for the upcoming bank holiday weekend 📢:Saturday 29th: 10am-12pmSunday 30th: ClosedMonday ...
28/08/2026

Please note our opening hours for the upcoming bank holiday weekend 📢:

Saturday 29th: 10am-12pm
Sunday 30th: Closed
Monday 31st: Closed

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Are you sitting comfortably? Then we’ll begin! ☺️Storytime returns next week! 📖The Runaway Pea 🫛 Enjoy a story and some ...
25/08/2026

Are you sitting comfortably? Then we’ll begin! ☺️

Storytime returns next week! 📖

The Runaway Pea 🫛 Enjoy a story and some colouring and craft. Free to join.

📆Tue 1st Sept | 10.30am | Ages 2.5 - 5 | Free
🎫 Let us know you're coming: https://southmillarts.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873687510

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This week in 1952, the Coat of Arms was provided to Bishop’s Stortford Urban District Council. Its depictions allude to ...
21/08/2026

This week in 1952, the Coat of Arms was provided to Bishop’s Stortford Urban District Council. Its depictions allude to the different parts of the town’s local history and the key buildings that form it.

The local Town Council describes the significance of each part of it. The Mitre, for example, represents the Bishop of London, who gained ownership of the town in 1060.

Moreover, the Sheaf of Barley signifies the agricultural and malting industries, which have been historically significant for hundreds of years for the prosperity of local residents.

Each aspect of the Crest, from the Colour, the shapes and the moto at the bottom (“Pro Deo et Populo” meaning “for God and the People”) help us understand what was and what is important for our town’s history.

Written and researched by Volunteer Thomas

📖 Read more: https://southmillarts.co.uk/the-town-crest/

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🏫 Building of the month! 🏫Although the present building standing on the south-west corner of Market Square is a pub, the...
20/08/2026

🏫 Building of the month! 🏫

Although the present building standing on the south-west corner of Market Square is a pub, the Dog’s Head, this is only a recent development.

An engraving from the 1830’s shows a rather elegant premises with two distinctive gables, dating from the 17th century, hiding behind the corner of the south wing of the newly built Corn Exchange.

By 1851, it was owned by James Sapsford who was a butcher and slaughterer, with a shop facing onto Market Square and a slaughterhouse and cattle pound behind.

In 1878, the premises, somewhat run-down, were acquired by Clement Joscelyne. He, with his brother Henry, was a furniture retailer in Braintree and had cycled across to Bishop’s Stortford to look for new premises to start his own business.

In 1997, the premises were destroyed by fire and then rebuilt in the style of the original building.

The premises were then redeveloped into a hospitality business by McMullens, the Hertford brewer, first as Baroosh and then the Dog’s Head. The name comes from the name of a pub which was situated further round Market Square, at no. 8.

Somewhat confusingly, the present street number of the Dog’s Head in no 18 whilst Mint Velvet next door is no. 16.

📖Read more: https://southmillarts.co.uk/augusts-building-of-the-month/

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⭐️ OBJECT OF THE MONTH ⭐️Young Curator alumni, Megan, chose this ‘Victory’ Plywood Jig-saw Puzzle depicting Cinderella’s...
19/08/2026

⭐️ OBJECT OF THE MONTH ⭐️

Young Curator alumni, Megan, chose this ‘Victory’ Plywood Jig-saw Puzzle depicting Cinderella’s coach, made in England by G. J. Hayter & CO. The puzzle has 42 pieces and is targeted at ages 4-6.

Megan says, “I chose this item from the museum handling collection because I was reminiscing over my own childhood activities (while helping prepare resources for a children’s craft session on games) and reflected on jigsaw puzzles, which I still love to this day."

Victory Jigsaw Puzzles was established in 1922. Founder, Gerald Hayter, started hand cutting wooden puzzles in his shed whilst working as a bank clerk. He chose the brand name, Victory, as a celebration to mark the end of the Great War.

📖Read more: https://southmillarts.co.uk/augusts-object-of-the-month-2/

You can see this and many other interesting objects in Bishop’s Stortford Museum at South Mill Arts.

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17/08/2026

Join us this Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to make your own pom pom shooter, and dog game 🐶. You can also have a go at our own fun games!

Drop in between 10am-2pm - Let us know you’re coming below - suggested donation: £2 (can be paid on the day).

Find out more & let us know you’re coming: South mill arts.co.uk (link in bio!)

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Join us tomorrow for a fascinating talk on Robert Orchard: Tea Dealer and Chocolate Maker 🫖🍫Very little is known about R...
17/08/2026

Join us tomorrow for a fascinating talk on Robert Orchard: Tea Dealer and Chocolate Maker 🫖🍫

Very little is known about Robert Orchard. Luckily for us, he left a number of pictures of himself including one in the National Portrait Gallery.

He is also known from the trade tokens he issued to further his business interests, one of which holds the record for the highest price at auction for a British trade token - £12000.

These give some idea of the nature of the man and how he viewed himself.”

Speaker: Bill Hardy

📆 Tue 18th Aug | 12.30pm | £5
🎫 Tickets: https://southmillarts.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873679912

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Thank you to everyone who joined us for the first week of crafts! ☺️We'll be back next week for round 2! 🤩Join us next T...
14/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the first week of crafts! ☺️

We'll be back next week for round 2! 🤩

Join us next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to make your own pom pom shooter, and dog game 🐶. You can also have a go at our own fun games!

Drop in between 10am-2pm - Let us know you’re coming below - suggested donation: £2 (can be paid on the day).

Find out more & let us know you’re coming: https://southmillarts.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873683796

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Please note that we will be closed this Saturday, 15th August 📢-Our museum walk: 'Thorley walk from St James Church', wi...
13/08/2026

Please note that we will be closed this Saturday, 15th August 📢

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Our museum walk: 'Thorley walk from St James Church', will still be running, meeting at St James Thorley (CM23 4BE)

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Address

Bishops Stortford
CM233JG

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441279710204

Website

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