About Doncaster

An historical market town, at the southern edge of Yorkshire, Doncaster is renowned for its horse racing, rich railway heritage and its wealth of Georgian and Regency architecture on the Great North Road.

The town of Doncaster sits at the very heart of this borough, and has more than enough to pleasantly surprise the visitor, especially if you have never been here before. History is all around and the architecture in Doncaster reflects the different ages.

We have the remains of the original Roman wall; Saxon church architecture; Norman castles at Conisbrough and Tickhill; and a wealth of Georgian and Regency architecture reflecting the glory days of Doncaster when it really was the most important town in this part of England.

Famous faces

Sir Nigel Gresley

Sir Nigel Gresley is renowned as one of the foremost railway engineers in history. Born in Edinburgh, Gresley’s name is synonymous with Doncaster after he moved to the town aged 29.

It was while living in the South Yorkshire town that Sir Nigel designed the world famous Flying Scotsman, as well as the Mallard – the fastest steam locomotive in the world.

Click HERE to find out more about Sir Nigel Gresley.

Louis Tomlinson

As 1/5 of boyband One Direction, Doncaster’s Louis Tomlinson is one of the most famous musicians in the world. Rising to stardom on the X Factor, Tomlinson returned to Doncaster in 2017 to film the video for his debut single Back to You on the streets of his beloved hometown.

Dame Diana Rigg

One of Britain’s leading lights on the big screen, Dame Diana Rigg has been staring in films and TV shows since 1959. In 1969, Rigg played the role of Countess Tracy di Vicenzo in the Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and has the distinction of being the only woman who James Bond marries!

More recently, Rigg has featured in the cult TV programme Game of Thrones as the witty, cunning Olenna Tyrell who’s sharp tongue and open opinions makes her one of the show’s most popular characters.

Jeremy Clarkson

The presenter, best known for his role as host of the popular BBC television series Top Gear, was born in Doncaster in 1960. Before being one of TV’s most recognisable faces, Clarkson trained as a journalist in Yorkshire and wrote for local papers like the Rotherham Advertiser.

Kevin Keegan

One of England’s greatest ever players, Kevin Keegan was born in Armthorpe, which is on the eastern edge of Doncaster, in 1951. Keegan broke through at Scunthorpe United in 1968 before a stellar career took in Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle United as well as representing his country 63 times too.

After he hung up his boots, Keegan embarked upon a successful managerial career, most notably at Newcastle United where he remains a true icon and fan’s favourite.

Brian Blessed

Larger than life Brian Blessed was born in Mexborough in 1936. His unmistakeable, booming voice is best known in Flash Gordon but Blessed has starred or featured in hundreds of TV shows and theatrical performances too. Following a successful Facebook campaign, satellite navigation manufacturer TomTom recorded Blessed's voice for use in its products.

Outside of acting, Blessed is a keen climber and has reached the top of Mount Aconcagua and Kilimanjaro whilst also attempting three times to climb Mount Everest too. He’s also the oldest man to go to the North Magnetic Pole on foot!

Ben Parkinson

Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson OBE is considered a national hero, as the most severely-injured British serviceman to survive his injuries sustained in combat. Ben was involved in a landmine explosion while serving in Afghanistan in 2007, losing both his legs and sustaining significant brain damage.

However, Ben has battled all the odds and not let his injuries define him – he has gone on to raise tens of thousands of pounds through his charity Pilgrim Bandits, taking part in incredible feats like rowing the length of the Yukon River in 2015 for a BBC documentary. Ben was also an Olympic torch bearer for Doncaster in 2012 and was made a Freeman of the Borough in 2017.

Iconic Landmarks of Past & Present

Conisbrough Castle

This English Heritage site has stunning views over Conisbrough and inspired Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe.

The original 12th century building gives visitors the chance to delve into a medieval world as they step inside the crumbling castle walls and are amazed by the unusually well-preserved castle; that has been dramatically re-presented in recent years to show this magnificent piece of history to the public.

Click HERE to find out more about Conisbrough Castle.

Brodsworth Hall

This stunning country house was built in the 1860s in the Italianate style that was also favoured for Queen Victoria’s Osborne House; and much of the original scheme survives today.

One of England’s most unaltered Victorian country houses, the gardens, a collection of ‘grand gardens in miniature’, have also been restored to their original splendour and the gardens and vistas are truly enchanting.

Click HERE to find out more about Brodsworth Hall.

Doncaster Market and Corn Exchange

Doncaster market is described as the ‘biggest and best’ traditional market in the North with some 400 shops, stalls and stands and has been the heart of the town for hundreds of years.

The jewel in the crown is The Corn Exchange, this fine Victorian listed gem houses a wide range of quality retailers that has fashion and furnishing galore.

Click HERE to find out more about Doncaster Markets.

Doncaster Minster

The Minster stands right in the heart of town and is thought to have been there since the 11th century. Even before the church was established, the site had continuous activity dating back to at least AD71 making the site a rich repository of human history of local and even national importance.

The Minster is a Grade 1 listed building and the surrounding grounds house archaeological remains of great significance.

Click HERE to find out more about Doncaster Minster.

CAST

Doncaster’s flagship theatre, Cast is home to world-class entertainment that transforms lives for local people through arts and culture.

Opened in 2013, the venue has a state-of-the-art Main Space 620-seat theatre that presents a thriving programme and helps to bring through the very best in local talent on both the production and performance side of things.

Click HERE to find out more about CAST.

Fascinating Facts

The St Leger, the world’s oldest classic horse race is held in Doncaster; dating back to 1776 and runs every year in September.

There is a common belief that Doncaster is technically part of Scotland! This is because the town was signed over to the King David I in the 12th Century in the Treaty of Durham, and was never officially given back.

The only polar bears living the UK are from Doncaster – these are the famous Viktor, Pixel, Nissan and Nobby living at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. The wildlife park has become one of Yorkshire’s most popular tourist attractions, welcoming over 750,000 guests every year.

Doncaster is proud to be the birthplace of the toilet. This accolade is due to Thomas Crapper, the man who popularised the modern flushing toilet, being a son of Thorne, Doncaster. Crapper went on to make a splash in the plumbing industry.

The town is also home to Britain’s favourite corner shop. First run by that legend of comedy, Ronnie Barker as Arkwright, and more recently by his nephew Granville, a tiny hairdresser’s shop in Balby is transformed into “Arkwrights” from Open All Hours when filming starts. The shop has been used since the very first series in the 1970s and continues today.

Tish, the world’s oldest goldfish, was won at a funfair in the town back in 1956 with another fish called Tosh. Although Tosh died aged 19, Tish went on to live until the grand old age of 43.

Explorers Road

Did you know that Doncaster is on the Explorers Road? This is the name given to the 500km stretch of road that connects the north to the south, otherise known as the A1. The route features many beautfiul towns and cities full of history and adventures waiting to be explored.

Click HERE to find out more about the Explorers Road.