Royston, a market town in North Hertfordshire, is attracting Londoners with its combination of countryside living and fast rail links, where the average home costs £393,714 – £284,000 less than the typical London property. According to Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates, nearly 2,000 people moved from London boroughs to North Hertfordshire last year, with estate agents highlighting Royston as a key destination.
Why Royston is a commuter sweet spot
The town sits 37 minutes by train from King’s Cross and just 15 minutes from Cambridge on the Thameslink service, making it accessible to the capital and the Cambridge science and technology sector. Verona Frankish, CEO of Yopa, told Metro: “Royston has become increasingly attractive to buyers because it offers the balance many movers are now prioritising, namely more space, better value for money and a far better quality of life without losing access to the capital.”
Frankish added: “What makes Royston particularly appealing is that it sits in a sweet spot between both London and Cambridge. Buyers benefit from strong rail connectivity, access to green open countryside and a genuine market town feel.”
Local amenities and attractions
Therfield Heath, known locally as Royston Heath, offers hills, a forest, and the Heath Cafe Bar, alongside tennis courts, a golf course, and bootcamp classes. The town centre bucks the national trend of high street closures, with independent businesses such as Kooky Nohmad for brunch and Moreno’s for traditional café fare.
Dining options include MITR Restaurant, Thai Rack Glass House, and Ashiana Spice, while the Chalk Hare offers upmarket meals. Pubs include the Old Bull Inn and a Wetherspoons in a historic building. Bury Lane Farm Shop hosts pop-ups, including a summer beach for under-10s, and Royston Museum is child-friendly, with splash pads and a playground at Priory Memorial Gardens.
The town’s annual Arts Festival returns in September, and the Royston Picture Palace, a 130-seat cinema in the old Town Hall, provides entertainment. Royston Cave, with its intricate carvings, attracts visitors from across the UK. Practical amenities include a leisure centre, Tesco, Aldi, and M&S Foodhall.
House prices and local opinions
Rightmove data shows the average home in Royston was £393,714 last year, compared to £659,781 in St Albans and £570,988 in Cambridge. Londoners selling the average city home, which went for £678,328, could save £284,000. Current listings include a three-bed end terrace at £475,000 and a three-bedroom detached cottage at £545,000.
Local feedback on Reddit and Mumsnet is mixed, with some calling the town ‘too quiet’ and ‘bland’. One commenter said: “If you’re younger, then you might find it that way, and might not be the right choice for you. As a family man, we are very happy to be here in a green, quiet location.” Another added: “I’ve lived in Royston for 15 years. Previous to that I lived in central Cambridge but moved to afford a flat in my 20s. I love it and couldn’t recommend it enough. It’s got everything you need with good transport links.”
