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At first acquaintance Royston may appear a picturesque but rather quiet market town on the way east to Newmarket, Cambridge and the coast. Its strategic position on the crossroads of the ancient Icknield Way and the Roman route Ermine Street certainly brought it prosperity and established it as a favourite stopping place for untold generations of travellers – often including royalty. King James I liked it so much he had a palace in Kneesworth Street and he ordered the execution of explorer and adventurer Sir Walter Rayleigh while staying in the town. The desk he used to sign the warrant is still there.

But Royston is layered like a Russian doll, with a past steeped in legend and mystery as well as a lively present embracing town and countryside alike.

It lies on the very north eastern boundary of Hertfordshire and takes its name from the ancient Roysia cross which marked the crossroads. It was erected by Lady Roysia after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Only the base now remains, standing near the junction in the High Street, and depicted on the coat of arms with the Royston hooded crow perching on top.

Near the crossroads, hidden beneath Melbourn Street, is the famous Royston Cave with its strange symbols, hints of magic and links to the exotic Knights Templar. It lay beneath the streets, forgotten and inaccessible, for centuries until a workman digging nearby moved a stone in his way and stumbled on an underground entrance, clogged with earth. When the soil was removed the diggers found, not treasure as they had hoped, but an artificial bell-shaped cave with pagan and Christian carvings on the walls.

Although no-one knows the origins or meaning of the cave or its paintings, there is a strong theory that it was used by the warrior monks in the Knights Templar, perhaps when they walked over from Baldock, where they had a base, for the weekly market. The cave is open at weekend and bank holidays in the summer and is accessed through a tunnel that was dug in 1790.

Royston was once the site of an Augustinian Priory, established in the 1100s but disbanded in 1537 during the dissolution of the monasteries. The town’s parish church of St John the Baptist is all that now remains.

Dubious legend has it that the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin engineered one of his many close escapes from justice at the Hoops Inn, Royston, demolished in 1961. He is said to have hidden his exhausted horse there after a night’s excursions and fooled his pursuers by getting into bed and claiming another rested mount was really his.

The high standard of many of Royston’s buildings was officially acknowledged in 1968, when the town centre was declared a conservation area. Information boards have been set up to highlight points of interest and visitors can learn more at the museum, located in a former Congregational church schoolroom. Among its exhibits is a tapestry, created by local embroiders who wanted to depict the town’s history like the Bayeux Tapestry. It illustrates scenes stretching back to pre-history.

Royston has been a market town since its charter was granted by Richard the Lionheart in 1189 and traders now visit twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Shoppers, who are also served by a range of individual shops as well as High Street names, can relax in a wide variety of restaurants, cafes and pubs, some dating back to the days of the coaching inns.

Royston has had a town council since 1974 and traffic has been eased by a bypass. A new leisure centre was opened in 2005 with a large swimming pool and gym facilities and the Tesco store on the A505 is home to one of the most advanced recycling plants in the country. Social events include the annual Rotary kite festival on Therfield Heath which is growing steadily in popularity and reputation as well as raising much-needed money for charity.

Royston, like other areas of North Hertfordshire, faces challenges in the future but anyone who makes the town their home will find they have chosen a very pleasant place to live with easy links to London by rail or road and to Stansted Airport.


Contact Numbers:

Royston Museum – 01763 242587
Royston Town Council – 01763 245484

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. All photographs courtesy of North Hertfordshire District Council unless otherwise stated.