Royston Area Guide

Royston is a busy market town lying on the borders of Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire with Cambridge city centre about 14 miles away. Royston town centre benefits from a host of amenities including small independent and high street shops, supermarkets, weekly market as well as GP and dental practices and a variety of bars and restaurants for an evening out. For the more active there is a popular leisure centre offering gym, pool and fitness classes and sports facilities such Royston Golf Club which sits on Therfield Heath where golf has been played since the 1600s. There are plenty of sports clubs/activities ranging from cricket, rugby, tennis, hockey, and netball clubs and many more -something for everyone. Within the town there are plenty of open green spaces to enjoy including the award-winning Priory Memorial Gardens which includes a Splash Park and Recreation area for children. There are many countryside walks from Therfield Heath and the woods and woodland paths at Fox Covert, managed by the Wildlife Trust.

Highlights and Attractions

The Imperial War Museum, Duxford is Europe’s largest air museum and is open to the public throughout the year. There are regular family activities and specialist exhibitions as well as several air shows and flying days during the summer months.

Royston Arts Festival was revived in 2007 and now runs annually usually in September/October and includes art/photography exhibitions as well as music and the performing arts.

Shepreth Wildlife Park participates in national and international breeding programmes for endangered species and is committed to its animals and conservation as well as educating each new generation. Shepreth is home to a whole range of animals from meerkats and monkeys to tigers and creepy crawlies. A great family day out with plenty to explore, Live Keeper Talks, children’s play area and a café.

The Wimpole Hall estate is a great day out for all the family. The Hall dates from the 17^th century and for nature lovers there are 300 acres of gardens and parkland to explore or visit Home Farm, an important rare breed centre, with horses, sheep, pigs, goats and more to see.

Commuting

Royston lies just to the south of A505 with fast road links to the A1(M), A10 and M11. Access to Cambridge is quick and easy with Trumpington Park & Ride just 20 minutes away with regular bus services into the city centre and the Addenbrookes Hospital site. Royston railway station has services to Cambridge in about 15 minutes and London King’s Cross in about 40 minutes. For international travel, London Stansted and London Luton airports are both about 30 minutes’ drive away.

Foods & Drinks

The Fox & Duck, Therfield, Royston in a picturesque setting on the green it is often described as a well-disguised gastropub. Dating back to 1700 with many original features it is a pub of contrasts: with a rustic and traditional interior and a modern and exciting menu.

The Woodman Inn, Nuthampstead is a 17^th century country pub with links to WW2 and the airmen stationed nearby complete with a small museum at the rear of the car park. The Woodman has been owned and run by the same family for over 30 years. The menu is a nod to the historic roots of The Woodman; traditional English meets American and is well known for keeping excellent real ales.

Yuva Fine Fusion offers a sophisticated Indian dining experience. Their multi-award winning chef serves Asian influenced modern cuisine drawing from regional Indian and Nepalese traditions.

Events

Royston Arts Festival takes place in September and celebrates local talent. Organised by Creative Royston, there are workshops, exhibitions, theatre, comedy, dance, film and music for all ages and interests.

Royston May Fayre: May Day fun for all ages at the Priory Memorial Gardens with arena events, children’s fairground rides, miniature train rides, traditional Punch & Judy, music and refreshments and more to enjoy.

Royston Kite Festival when the skies are filled with the colourful sight of kites every August when thousands flock to the Heath to experience the Rotary Club’s annual Kite Festival and Historic Vehicle Show. Daring displays entertain all ages in the arena and families enjoy kite making workshops, children’s entertainment and a fun fair.

Schools

There are several Ofsted rated “Good” and “Outstanding” schools within Royston including: St Mary RC Primary, Icknield Walk First School, Studlands Rise, Tannery Drift and King James Academy. Cambridge also offers a wide selection of independent schools for all ages and is home to the 31 colleges of world-renowned Cambridge University