Royston
Royston maps (2 available)
Map of Hertfordshire
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
See this old map of Hertfordshire
Personalised maps
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Royston books (9 available)
- 7 photos on Royston appear in 2 Frith books - View photos of Royston
- Read extracts and see photos from these books on Royston and Hertfordshire
Royston memories
Read and share memories of Royston and Hertfordshire inspired by Frith photos
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You can also read memories of nearby places in Hertfordshire below.
Hertfordshire memories
My memories of Wyddial
My father's people were from Wyddial, their name was Pinner. I was baptized at St. Giles, along with my sister. (My parents felt I should be old enough to remember this event). The dish in the font was cracked. I later stayed with my cousin Angela, she lived in Buntingford, her parents were from Aspenden. For the six weeks I was with her I worked for Mr Hodge, of Hodges Farm, Wyddial. My dad had worked for the same farm as a boy. I worked at the duck farm.
A memory of Wyddial contributed by valerie stephens
The Bell Hotel, Hare Street, Buntingford
I have recently discovered that my Great Grandfather John Main originally from Devon (a shoe maker) and then in Brixton, London as a Dairy Manager owned the Bell Hotel in Hare Street around 1905.
My Grandmother lived there as a little girl and would often tell us stories as children about how it was haunted and about secret panels etc and of an old huntsman who would sit on the garden wall!
I have several old postcards of it and the Street. He was still there in 1916 when my Grandmother married and I think on into the 1920s.
I just wondered if The Bell was still there?
A memory of Buntingford contributed by Judith Irwin
Letchworth Childhood
Seeing the fountain in this picture brings back childhood memories from the 1950/60s of sailing boats up and down the paddling pool at weekends or when your parents took you down on a sunny afternoon. Summer fetes and funfair on the grass area between the paddling pool and Norton Way South, last but not least playing in the small wood behind the paddling pool before the Council cut it down and spoilt it!
A memory of Letchworth Garden City contributed by Ian Griffin
The Picketts of Standon
The majority of my father's family lived in and around Standon from 1600 onwards and one of them was the Sexton of St. Mary's and another was the innkeeper of The Three Horseshoes at Farnham in 1881. My Grandfather was born in the Three Horsehoes. Does anyone have any connections with the Pickett family?
A memory of Standon contributed by Angela Kenny
Extracts From Royston & Hertfordshire books
The descent from Barkway, the second highest point in Hertfordshire, down to Royston, one of the lowest places in the county, was a nightmare for horse-drawn traffic and cyclists. Fortunately the chalk from the quarry, hidden behind the hedge on the right, provided material for a solid surface. Although the area is now substantially built up, the group of dwellings on the left still survive intact.
An extract from from"North and East Hertfordshire Photographic Memories".
Skirted by the Icknield Way on the right, the expanse of Therfield Heath originally stretched from the boundary of Baldock to Royston. Traditionally an area of recreation (King James I exercised his Royston-kennelled hunting hounds here), this peaceful view of the Heath was photographed before the installation of football and cricket pitches. In the 1800s, the Royston Militia camped and performed manoeuvres on the Heath, whilst archaeologists, fascinated by the tumuli, carried out extensive excavations. The memorial was erected in 1900 (says Alfred Kingston in his 1906 'History of Royston') in remembrance of Queen Victoria. Later, during the Second World War, a camp for Italian prisoners of war was built on the Heath.
An extract from from"North and East Hertfordshire Photographic Memories".
It is said that the town took its name from Lady Roysia's Stone, and that the stone itself was the base for the Market Cross. Royston is a relatively modern town - it is not mentioned in the Domesday Book - which grew up at the crossing of Ermine Street and the Icknield Way; it was not officially recognised until the late 1800s. The town was 'carved' out of four parishes - Bassingbourn and Melbourn in Cambridgeshire and Therfield and Barkway in Hertfordshire. Lady Roysia's manor of Newsells lay in the parish of Barkway. The stone has been moved several times, and is now located on the opposite side of the Icknield Way.
An extract from from"North and East Hertfordshire Photographic Memories".
With not an ancient building in sight, we would be forgiven for believing that this is the centre of one of Hertfordshire's 20th-century garden cities. Nothing could be further from the truth. Just out of sight to the left stands the ancient parish church of Royston, whilst behind the photographer is the original priory from which the gardens take their name. This quiet spot in the centre of this bustling market town is now covered with tennis courts, a children's playground and extensive rose gardens.
An extract from from"North and East Hertfordshire Photographic Memories".
It is difficult to realise that this was once the main Roman road from London to Godmanchester and on to York. The photograph was taken shortly after the High Street was closed to through traffic; the untidy houses on the left will soon become desirable town residences and shops. The Bull (right), once the scene of disreputable activities, was by this time a respectable hotel offering accommodation and facilities for banquets, as well as snacks and lunches.
An extract from from"North and East Hertfordshire Photographic Memories".