Moving to Royston, Herts

[Smith987]

Hiya everyone,

Is there anyone from Royston here? We currently live in Hertford, and are looking to move further out to somewhere with faster train link to London so DH doesn't have to spend 3 hours commuting each day, and where I can easily drive to Cambridge from.

We've visited Hitchin (too expensive), Letchworth, Baldock, Biggleswade and Royston, and currently Royston seems to tick most boxes.

What I'm concerned about is the Johnson Matthey chemical plant. I read on a previous thread here that some people claim to feel pollution on Fridays as they release something, but that was a few years ago. If you live in Royston, what is your experience with it? Is there actually any pollution / smell coming from the industrial area that affect the town?

And has anyone tried commuting during the rush hour on the non-stop Kings+ trains? Are they reliable and do you get a seat?

I'd appreciate any comments and suggestions, thanks so much!

[Mummy2017]

Royston is horrible. Housing is cheap for a reason. Also the schools are still using first, middle and upper school system. Hertford is a lovely area, why on earth would you want to swap it for Royston?

[Smith987]

Thanks for your response Mummy2017. Hertford is indeed lovely, but we're renting at the moment and want to buy now, but there isn't much property in Hertford within our budget.

DH commutes for about 1.5h each way. Royston trains come into Kings+, and would be about 20min quicker for him, plus no rush hour tube journey. I commute to Cambridge which also takes 1.5h from Hertford, though I don't do it every day. Royston would be around 30min.

I've looked up that schools in Royston are improving and currently most are rated good, with some outstanding. That won't be an issue for us for another couple of years anyway, and I think the area may grow and improve, so would make a good investment.

What else is horrible about Royston? I was mainly concerned about potential pollution from the chemical plant and so many main roads going through town, so the town centre always seems noisy.

Is there anywhere else you can recommend to look around? Would you favour Biggleswade ofer Royston?

[VeryPunny]

Mummy2017 is being somewhat hyperbolic

Lived there for years, now live in one of the villages between Royston and Cambridge. Yes, Royston isn't as swanky as some other places but there are loads of people living there for the same reason (I lived there when I worked in London, and DH in Cambridge). Never noticed any problem with Johnson Matthey - it's a world leader in catalysis and precious metal technologies (gold/platinum) and the (small) industrial estate is very clean and tidy. It's a great employer for the area too. If you're being unkind, you can say that Royston has everything you need but nothing much you want. There's an excellent wine shop, a selection of okay/good restaruants and various small high street shops. Good leisure facilities - smart new leisure centre and loads of rugby/running clubs on the Heath.

Not sure what you mean about main roads? The A505 bypass is nowhere near the town centre, and the A10 is just one road straight through.

The schools: have friends with children in primaries there and they are all happy. You can do a lot worse than Royston, although a car commute to Cambridge will take longer than 30mins in rush hour.

[VeryPunny]

Would definitely prefer Biggleswade over Royston. Also Waitrose are apparently looking to open a supermarket as part of developments on the A505.

[VeryPunny]

That was meant to say would NOT prefer Biggleswade over Royston - especially if you are trying to get to Cambridge. There are both buses and trains from Royston to Cambridge, as well as the A10 cycleway.

[flownthecoopkiwi]

I live currently just off a505 by m11 so not in royston but been there a few times. Seems well connected- have several friends who ignore the Liverpool st line here and drive to royston for the train. Nice farmshop nearby, nice countryside.

[MilkyOats]

Hi Smith987, did you decide to move to Royston in the end ? My husband and I are considering the move. We drove there yesterday and really liked it. It was Sunday during the pandemic so a bit quiet and most shops closed but around the Morrison's it was still quite busy. We loved the memorial gardens and the play area for the kids. We saw many young families out and about. Town centre and shop comparison is quite similar to Hoddesdon where we live now which was good to see as that's what we're looking for. Saw many young families and older couples having picnics etc at the gardens. We were impressed. Wondering what you think of it now that you have moved there (maybe)? We have a two year old and currently live in Hoddesdon but can't afford what we need here. Royston would get us more for our money. Schools seems good. Yay, nay ? What about activities to do with young children ? The quick train into Cambridge for a day trip out is what appeals to us right now. Due to (in this case) thanks for Covid-19, my husband no longer has to commute into London as he is now permanently working from home. Hence why we're keen for something a bit quieter but with good links to Cambridge/London but we don't want something too quiet... so we're thinking Royston could be good. My mum lives in Hertford and is retired. She looks after my daughter every Monday so I would be doing the drive there and back - what's the drive like during peak hours ? I could potentially drop her off outside of peak hours as I am not currently working...

Any other advice on this place would be greatly appreciated. What's the situation on the industrial estate and the chemical plant base ? Thank you!