Hotel of the week

Banyers House, Royston

WHERE AND WHY: The town of Royston is full of surprises, not least its location straddling the Prime Meridian. And Banyers House is so close to the border of Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire you could hold a conversation in two counties – and across the hemispheres where East meets West.

Part of Oakman Inns’ impressive portfolio of pub-restaurants with rooms, this imposing Grade II listed Georgian manor house is in the heart of the town on Melbourn Street.

Its nine bespoke rooms are on the cool side of funky. Our four-poster executive double (£185) with triple aspect views was a triumph of Art Deco features.

And to freshen up, there was a huge bathroom with twin basins, a stand-alone bath-tub deep enough to conceal a pod of dolphins and the generous walk-in shower. There was also a coffee machine with pods, wi-fi, toiletries and even hair straighteners.

ON THE MENU:

Banyers House manages to tread the line between traditional pub fare – fish and chips, and shepherd’s pie – and a Mediterranean-style brasserie.

Warm Severn and Wye smoked mackerel potato salad (£8.50) was a pleasing starter, while the 7oz fillet steak (£29.50) was full of flavour. Authentically charred pizzas from £9.50.

Often the real gems can be found on the specials board and the Affogato dessert (one part vanilla ice-cream, one part espresso, just add chocolate shavings) was divine.

Breakfast topped the lot. Eggs Benedict (£6/£10) and the full English (£13) were both superb. You can even order “makeaways” of their artisan burgers to cook at home.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Just 14 minutes by rail from Cambridge, Royston is an ideal base to explore the renowned university city, or it’s 51 minutes from a day out in London.

Banyers House is also a one-minute stroll from Royston Cave, a medieval vault cut into the chalk that lies beneath the town’s ancient crossroads of Ermine Street and Icknield Way.

Open from April to September, the carvings are thought to date back to the 14th century. On his way to being crowned King James I of England in 1603, James VI of Scotland stayed in the town overnight. Imagine, stopping off in Royston for a swift half on a Friday night before being installed as the king

on Saturday morning…

WAKE UP CALL Fizz Fridays include overnight stay, bottle of prosecco when dining in and breakfast from £80 per room.

banyershouse.co.uk