Royston Cave has been welcoming visitors since its discovery in 1742.
With entry only available upon request and via a rope, it wasn’t until the current visitor entrance was dug in 1790 that formal, paid visits were introduced. The current 22 metre long access tunnel was dug by local builder Thomas Watson, the then occupier of the Town House above. Mr Watson effectively took private ownership of the cave and charged visitors sixpence for entry. Watson advertised Royston Cave as ‘the greatest curiosity of the kind in Europe’.
By the 1950s, the Town House above had become a shoe shop and its owners, The Pool family, were the last private keyholders of Royston Cave. In 1964, the cave was leased from the then owners by Royston Urban District Council, who installed railings and electric lighting. In 1969 management was instructed to Royston and District Local History Society who oversaw the cave’s operation and provision of guides.
In 1974, Royston Town Council was formed as the successor to Royston Urban District Council and in 1998, Royston Town Council bought Royston Cave outright. Royston History Society continued to manage it on the Council’s behalf and modern, guided tours were introduced. In 2018, management of Royston Cave reverted to Royston Town Council.