The Royal Standard
A revived pre-suburban Mill Road pub, independently operated as a free house with a distinctive emphasis on Belgian beer, local cask ale and cider.
01 / The experience
The Royal Standard
The Royal Standard combines a rescued historic pub site with an independent drinks identity that reflects modern Mill Road rather than a national managed-house template.
The Royal Standard predates much of the Victorian development that eventually surrounded it, which helps explain the building's slight angle to Mill Road. After almost a decade outside pub use—as a restaurant and then a charity shop—it reopened in 2015 in a reduced footprint. Its modern importance lies in that recovery and in an independent drinks offer built around Belgian draught and bottled beer, regional cask ale and cider. It is a neighbourhood pub with food rather than a historic shell converted into a national dining operation.
02 / The essentials
The Royal Standard: visit essentials
- 01
The pub building predates much of the surrounding Victorian Romsey development.
- 02
Its angle to Mill Road reflects the earlier site geometry.
- 03
The building spent almost a decade as a restaurant and charity shop.
- 04
It reopened as a smaller pub on 22 October 2015.
- 05
The operator describes it as a free house.
- 06
CAMRA named it Cambridge city Community Pub of the Year in 2025.
03 / The place
The building in context.
A story written in stone since 2015.
- Built
- Predates the surrounding Victorian Romsey development; reopened in 2015
- Style
- Historic suburban public house
04 / Before you go
Plan your visit
Prices & admission
No admission charge; drinks and food are individually priced.
Opening hours
Currently open from noon daily, generally until 23:00 Monday–Saturday and 22:30 Sunday. Check the resident kitchen separately for food times.
Plan your experience
Walk-ins are welcome; use the official contact details for groups and dining.
Accessibility
Contact the pub for the current step-free entrance, accessible seating and toilet arrangements.
Participation requirements
Level walk along Mill Road.
Not normally required for drinks.
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05 / Good to know
The Royal Standard: frequently asked questions
01Is the Royal Standard a chain pub?
It is operated by a small Cambridge family pub group and presented as a free house, not a national managed chain.
02Is the entire historic pub still intact?
No. It reopened in 2015 with a smaller footprint and substantially reduced garden after years outside pub use.
03What is the drinks speciality?
Belgian draught and bottled beer, supported by regional cask ale, cider and a broader independent range.
04Does it serve food?
Yes, through its resident Greek kitchen. Check current kitchen times separately.