Living in Royston

Community and local life in Royston are strongly characterised by a welcoming, participatory spirit. The town’s monthly farmers’ market and weekly general market remain popular, drawing residents together for fresh produce and local crafts. Annual community events, such as the Royston Arts Festival and Royston Kite Festival, are well attended and foster a sense of celebration and togetherness.

The town is surrounded by open countryside, including Therfield Heath—a Site of Special Scientific Interest—which offers excellent walking and wildlife-spotting opportunities. Royston Town Hall and Market Hill Rooms act as hubs for local societies, fitness classes, and cultural groups. The strong network of clubs, from sports teams to gardening societies, ensure newcomers can get involved and make connections.

Royston is widely regarded as a safe and secure place to live, with overall crime rates lower than many surrounding urban centres. The town’s close-knit nature and active neighbourhood involvement contribute to a strong sense of security. Most crime is of a petty, non-violent nature, with anti-social behaviour and occasional vehicle theft being the most commonly reported issues.

The town benefits from regular police patrols and a visible Safer Neighbourhoods policing team, which works closely with local schools and community groups. Effective neighbourhood watch programmes and recent investment in CCTV coverage in the town centre have further contributed to a reassuring overall safety record. Regeneration efforts around the station and market area have continued to improve lighting and safety at night.

Parking in Royston is generally well-managed, with a mixture of short and long-stay car parks located throughout the town centre and near the railway station. On-street parking is available in many residential streets, though some areas require resident permits during peak hours. The town centre does get busier at weekends and on market days, but parking remains relatively accessible compared to larger towns.

Major road links include the A505, which provides direct routes to Cambridge (about 13 miles), while the A10 offers access to Hertford and London. The nearby M11 motorway is just over 12 miles away, connecting Royston to London and Stansted Airport. Traffic congestion is typically modest, and road access to surrounding towns is reliable.

• Baldock – approx. 10 minutes via A505 (5 miles)
• Cambridge – approx. 20 minutes via A505 (13 miles)
• Letchworth Garden City – approx. 18 minutes via A505 (9 miles)
• Hertford – approx. 40 minutes via A10 (25 miles)

Royston’s dining scene is a mixture of traditional English pubs, independent eateries, and convenient takeaways. The town centre is home to a number of historic inns, such as The Old Bull Inn, which dates back several centuries, and a variety of gastropubs offering seasonal British fare. Cafés like The Heath Café Bar and several local coffee shops add to the daytime atmosphere, with many venues championing local produce and welcoming a diverse clientele.

A handful of international restaurants serve Indian, Chinese, and Italian cuisine, while the regular market offers fresh food stalls and deli options. While the town is generally more relaxed than neighbouring Cambridge, there are several pubs and wine bars that provide evening social spaces for locals. Nightlife is limited to a handful of bars and a community centre that hosts occasional live music and events, making the town ideal for those who prefer a quieter nightlife but value good food and company.

School Quality: Royston is recognised for its good-quality primary and secondary schools, with several institutions praised for inclusive environments and positive Ofsted reports. The presence of King James Academy further smooths educational transitions through different age groups.

Parks and Green Spaces: Families benefit from abundant outdoor recreation, with Therfield Heath offering natural play spaces, walking trails, and open countryside suitable for children of all ages.

Childcare: A number of nurseries and early years providers serve the town, and afterschool clubs are offered through schools and community groups.

Safety: Royston is viewed as a safe, supportive community for families, and neighbourhood watch schemes reinforce this.

Family Activities: The town provides a variety of clubs and classes—ranging from swimming lessons and youth sports to music and art workshops—helping children and parents mix and thrive.

Pet-friendly living in Royston is supported by its access to large open spaces like Therfield Heath, which is ideal for dog walking and outdoor exercise. The surrounding countryside and footpaths provide further routes for longer walks and area exploration. Several local parks also welcome dogs, and public rights of way ensure access for those with pets.

There are local veterinary practices, pet supply stores, and a number of dog-friendly pubs and cafés, particularly in the town centre and countryside. Housing landlords and neighbourhoods are considered accommodating to responsible pet owners, and there’s a culture of positive engagement with animals in public spaces.

Royston enjoys excellent connectivity, making it an attractive location for commuters and families who value access to both urban and rural destinations. The town’s railway station is on the main Cambridge-London King’s Cross line, offering fast and regular trains to major cities. Services to London King’s Cross typically take around 38-50 minutes, while Cambridge is just 15 minutes away by train.

Bus routes connect Royston with surrounding Hertfordshire villages and nearby towns such as Baldock and Letchworth Garden City. Main road links include the A505, providing direct routes to Cambridge and Luton, and the nearby A10 for access to Hertford and London.

Air travel is within easy reach: London Stansted Airport is about 28 miles away, taking about 40 minutes by car, while Luton Airport can be reached in approximately 35 minutes.

• London King’s Cross – approx. 38-50 minutes by train
• Cambridge – approx. 15 minutes by train
• Stevenage – 25 minutes by car via A505
• Luton Airport – approx. 35 minutes by car
• London Stansted Airport – approx. 40 minutes by car

Royston’s schools and education options have long been considered a significant appeal for families moving into the area. Educational provision is wide-ranging, and Royston offers access to both state and independent schools, ensuring educational needs are well-served at all levels.

Primary Schools:

Therfield First School is a longstanding part of the community, noted for its friendly ethos and consistently good Ofsted reports (last rated ‘Good’ in 2023). Icknield Walk First School, located near the town centre, is also popular with families and has a positive Ofsted rating (‘Good’ as of 2019). Tannery Drift School is another key choice, with an OFSTED ‘Good’ rating (2022), and recognised for its focus on pupil wellbeing and progress. Studlands Rise First School, found in a quiet residential area, rounds out the primary offering with strong parental support and a nurturing atmosphere.

Secondary Schools:

Greneway Middle School (now merged as part of the King James Academy Royston) was highly regarded locally. The King James Academy Royston now serves as both secondary and sixth form provision. The Academy, formed in 2017 from the merger of Roysia and Greneway schools and Meridian School, has worked hard to raise standards and modernise facilities in recent years. Ofsted inspections are ongoing as a newly established entity, but parents note continual improvements.

Colleges and Further Education:

Royston itself does not host a large standalone college but benefits from proximity to North Hertfordshire College (just over 10 miles away in Stevenage), offering a broad range of vocational and A-levels.

Universities:

There are no universities directly within Royston, but highly regarded institutions are accessible. University of Cambridge is only about 13 miles to the north, providing world-class educational opportunities. Anglia Ruskin University also has a campus in Cambridge, making higher education options readily commutable for students in Royston.