The Beehive

The space

The Beehive occupies a corner position on Windhill, the old part of Bishops Stortford that sits above the market square, and it has the kind of corner-pub presence that only genuinely old buildings achieve. The interior is two connecting rooms - the main bar is larger and more social; the back room quieter and better for conversation. Both are furnished with the particular worn-in quality that comes from decades of being used rather than decades of being designed.

What to drink

The Beehive keeps four cask ales on at any one time, rotating through regional breweries with a preference for Hertfordshire and Essex producers. The condition is consistently good - this is a house that manages its cellar carefully - and the staff can tell you what is on and what is coming on without consulting a laminated menu.

The verdict

The Beehive is exactly what a market-town pub should be: well-kept, unhurried, and run by people who understand what they are doing. It welcomes dogs without fuss, has a small outdoor area that catches the afternoon sun, and charges prices that reflect the local economy rather than aspirational positioning. It is the first pub we recommend to anyone arriving in Bishops Stortford without a plan.