King James' Stables

Former stables, dating to the 17th century, extended in the late 19th century and altered in 1985. The building is constructed of red brick with a roof that had been removed at the time of inspection. It is a rectangular block with a double gable front. It has a plinth and a row of three arches on the ground floor, each with projecting key blocks and impost bands. An entrance is located in the right arch, with the two central and left arches being blocked. Above are two first-floor window openings with a central blind opening. The gables have been rebuilt with projecting brick bands. The return walls are slightly recessed; the left return shows one bay of window openings. The rear features a double gable rebuilt to match the front, with a central stack. There are two bays of two-light casements on the ground floor with slightly cambered heads, and a plat band below the first-floor sills. Attached to the right is a two-storey, 19th-century gabled block with an entrance and window opening, both with cambered heads, and terminating in an end stack. Attached to the left is a one-storey, 19th-century gabled outbuilding with a gault brick extruded stack. Local tradition reports that the stables were built for the horses of King James I, who frequently stayed in Royston for hunting. The building was certainly used to stable horses for the Odsey Races, which began in the early 17th century and were held alongside the Baldock Road, the Roman Icknield Way, by the late 18th century. The house was formerly known as the Jockey House and the Thrift. It is listed for its historic interest.