The general character of the historic core of Royston dates to around the 1980s. At this time there was much infilling of garden plots and demolition of earlier farm buildings and vernacular cottages. There are survivals of some 19th century terraces and a 17th century farm building. Royston is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The probable layout of the medieval village, with houses along the High street and plots contained by a back lane, survives giving partial legibility of the medieval settlement.