Made up of waterfalls and rolling hills, Royalston, 31 miles from Amherst, Massachusetts, is an old farming town turned getaway for those living in Boston and New York City. “It’s a split between second homes and full-time residents,” says John Colby, the owner of Colby Realty, who has been in the industry since 1973. “More and more people are becoming full-time residents with younger families. Most of them are escaping from the cities, at least for the weekend.” Much of Royalston's land is protected preservation areas, state forests and parks. “Hunting and fishing is big,” says Colby. “Really big, and since Royalston joins the New Hampshire line, they have access to even more lakes and ponds.”
A birdwatching kayaker glides across the calm waters of Tully Lake in Royalston.
Spirit Falls is a secluded waterfall located within Jacobs Hill Reservation in Royalston.
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Hiking, hunting, fishing and biking in wildlife areas
Royalston and its scenery have been preserved by the state and federal government, along with nonprofit organizations such as The Trustees of Reservations, which help protect historic and natural areas. Royalston has three waterfalls -- Doane’s Falls, Royalston Falls and Spirit Falls -- that have been preserved by the group and draw tourists to the area. To mitigate flood risk, the Army Corps of Engineers built the Birch Hill Dam and Tully Dam, also known as Tully Lake, which are now popular for fishing, boating and swimming. Both dams are surrounded by wildlife management areas that may be used for hiking, hunting and camping. In addition, Royalston State Forest is over 4,000 acres with hiking and mountain biking trails.
Locals prepare their fishing rods to catch fish on Tully Lake in Royalston.
Hikers trek up the hill towards the upper lookout of Doane's Falls in Royalston.
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Simple homes throughout Royalston on large lots
Homes near the center of Royalston line winding roads and are built close to the street. Further out, homes are either on farmland or at the end of long driveways. Houses have a median lot size of 4 acres. Royalton is not a growing area, as most of its lands are protected. The homes are in simple styles, such as split-level, cabin, Colonial Revival, minimal traditional and ranch-style. They range from $200,000 to $500,000. The area's CAP Index crime score is 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Two historic colonial style homes in Royalston are painted white with clapboard siding and contrasting green shutters.
A colonial style home in Royalston's town center sits atop a large lot with an expansive lawn.
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Students attend schools nearby
The Athol-Royalston Regional School District, which receives a C from Niche, serves the area. Children attend kindergarten through sixth grade at the Royalston Community School, which gets a B-minus, and seventh through eighth grade at the Athol-Royalston Middle School, which gets a C-minus. Students continue to Athol High School, which receives a C-plus. High school students may also apply to attend the Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, which gets a B. At the technical school, students pair their academics with a vocational program such as advanced manufacturing, graphic communications and cosmetology.
Royalston Community School provides a well-rounded education and promotes academic excellence.
Athol High School, near Royalston, is a small-town public high school known for its close-knit community.
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Commuters use state routes and interstates.
Many part-time residents come in from Boston, 83 miles east, using state Route 2 or from New York, 196 miles south, using Interstate 95. Boston is just over an hour away, while New York is over 4 hours away. Commuters often travel to Keene, 21 miles north, and Amherst, 31 miles south, for shopping, dining and entertainment using state Route 32 and Daniel Shays Highway. Worchester Regional Airport is 35 miles south, and the Athol Hospital is 7 miles away. Royalston's only house of worship, the First Congregational Church, was founded in 1766 and its building dates to 1852.
Shopping and dining in nearby cities and along Route 2
The area's shopping and dining is along Route 2. North Quabbin Commons, 8 miles away, includes a Market Basket for groceries and some other stores, a movie theater and eateries. Other grocery stores are within about 10 miles of the area and Williams Restaurant, is 17 miles away, and serves American fare for lunch and dinner. Residents also may travel to Amherst or Keene for more options.
The Otter River Pub, near Royalston, has a full bar with pool tables, darts and TVs for sports.
The Thirsty Turtle Pub, near Royalston, is a popular casual bar that serves hotdogs too.
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Farmers Markets near Royalston
Fresh produce is close at hand in Royalston, as the community lies between the Winchendon Farmers Market, 8 miles away, and the Amherst Farmers’ Market, 31 miles away. The Winchendon Farmers Market runs Thursdays and Saturdays from mid-May through October in Winchendon. During the offseason, there’s a monthly indoor market at the Old Murdock Senior Center, 8 miles away. The Amherst Farmers’ Market is on Saturdays from mid-April to mid-November.
MOTIVATED SELLER - Seize this incredible opportunity to build your dream home on 7.2 acres of private, serene land in the charming, historic town of Royalston, Massachusetts. This buildable lot has been surveyed, with posts placed at the front, making it ready for development. Enjoy the beauty of nature and the peace of a rural setting while still being close to essential amenities. These 7.2
Imagine yourself building the home of your dreams with your desired living area sqft, number of rooms, bath, bedroom, maybe an inground pool for fun summers or even a horse stable accompanied by many acres to ride, in the city of Phillipston where the neighborhood is full of peace coming from every corner and you have the "Right to Farm". Mayor portion of this Parcel is currently in Chapter 61,
A rare opportunity to own nearly 10 acres in the peaceful town of Royalston. This raw, untouched land offers the potential for more than one building lot—ideal for those looking to build their dream home or invest in future development. Buyer to perform all due diligence regarding zoning, permits, and land use.Don’t miss this chance to own a slice of nature in a charming New England setting!
Anthony PaolettiKeller Williams Realty North Central
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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Average Home Value
Source: Public RecordsDisclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
