Doncaster is a large town in South Yorkshire. There are in fact many people that believe that this town is large enough and has enough to offer to actually be classified as a City, but so far this status has eluded it.
The general definition of a City is a town that has a Cathedral as its ... Read review
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Advantages: Lots of history, Very accessible Disadvantages: Not the prettiest of places
Doncaster is a large town in South Yorkshire. There are in fact many people that believe that this town is large enough and has enough to offer to actually be classified as a City, but so far this status has eluded it.
The general definition of a City is a town that has a Cathedral as its principal Parish Church. There are however exceptions to this rule and a City can be created by a Royal Charter. In the year 2000 a total of 39 British ... ...a Royal Charter, and Doncaster was short listed as one of the favourites. In the end it lost out to Inverness, Brighton & Hove, and Wolverhampton.
The population of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster at the last Census in 2001 was 290,000 making it the 15th largest population centre in the UK.
Doncaster lies approximately 20 miles East of Sheffield, but it has a history that is far richer than that of Sheffield, which ... more
Doncaster is a large town in South Yorkshire. There are in fact many people that believe that this town is large enough and has enough to offer to actually be classified as a City, but so far this status has eluded it.
The general definition of a City is a town that has a Cathedral as its principal Parish Church. There are however exceptions to this rule and a City can be created by a Royal Charter. In the year 2000 a total of 39 British towns applied to become Cities for the Millennium under such a Royal Charter, and Doncaster was short listed as one of the favourites. In the end it lost out to Inverness, Brighton & Hove, and Wolverhampton.
The population of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster at the last Census in 2001 was 290,000 making it the 15th largest population centre in the UK.
Doncaster lies approximately 20 miles East of Sheffield, but it has a history that is far richer than that of Sheffield, which is now the principal place in South Yorkshire, and the County's only City.
Today Doncaster is a bustling town with all of the amenities of a large town or City but it was also a very important Roman Settlement. During Roman times it was known as Danum. There was a large Fort close to the centre of the modern town. This occupied a site where there was a crossing across the River Don. The word Caster was the Latin name for a Fort so Doncaster derived its name from the Don, the River on which the town stands and the Fort that stood there.
By the 7th century AD the Romans had gone and Doncaster was now a thriving Market town in the Anglo Saxon Kingdom of Mercia. The principal settlement at this time was located at Hatfield to the North East of the town.
Following the Norman Conquest of William 1 the Normans rebuilt the town and also built a large Castle at nearby Conisborough. In the year 1194 Doncaster was granted a Royal Charter by King Richard . A few years later in 1248 another Charter was granted for Doncaster Market. This Market still thrives today and still operates under that same Charter.
Everywhere that you go in Doncaster today there are reminders of its past. Many parts of the town have the name "Gate" which is derived the Danish word "Gata" meaning Street.
During the Middle Ages it was common for tradesmen to live in the same Street. Baxter is an old English word for Baker, thus confirming that the area of the town now known as Baxtergate was where the Bakers once lived.
From the early 17th century Doncaster became an important stopover place for Stagecoaches and this led to Horse Breeding in the town. This in turn led to Horse Racing, which the town is now famous for today. Although the first Horse Races took place in the 1680's it is the St Ledger, first run in 1776, and every year since that has made the town most famous.
One of the most prominent Buildings in Doncaster town centre is a large Church which was the Parish Church of the town until recently. This is known as St George's Minster and was built in 1858.
Another impressive Building is the 18th century Mansion House, now the Headquarters of Doncaster Council, which is adorned in Gold.
The modern Doncaster is obviously a far cry from the days of old but there are still enough reminders of its past around to give it some charm and character.
These days there is a large, modern Bus Interchange located next to the Railway Station and built on top of this is where you will find the town's largest indoor Shopping Complex known as the Frenchgate Centre.
If Shopping is your thing then there is also the famous Market that is held on every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday and has over 600 Stalls serving Meat, Fruit and Vegetables and Fish. This Market is now held in the Corn Exchange, a grand Building built in 1846. Also located within this same Building are many second hand Stalls and there are regular Antique Fairs.
Further out of town there is a large Shopping Complex known as the Lakeside Complex. This is one of the areas of the town that seems to be changing rapidly. The modern Shopping Centre sits on the edge of some lovely picturesque Lakes and there are several plush Housing Estates springing up around it.
Also located on the edge of the town is the Doncaster Dome, a large Leisure Complex that Boasts Swimming Pools, an Ice Skating Rink, Tennis, Badminton and Squash Courts plus a full sized Arena.
One of the reasons why Doncaster has managed to remain a popular destination for visitors is without doubt due to its location. It has excellent transport links and is situated close to the M1, M18, M62 and A1M Motorways. It is also on the main Edinburgh-Newcastle-London Rail Line.
On the 28th April 2005 Doncaster Airport became the UK's newest Airport and is now the fasting growing Airport in Britain. It also has the longest runway in of any Airport in Europe and the only one that the Space Shuttle could land on if it wished.
Doncaster also boasts a busy nightlife. There are many Bars and Clubs to cater for all tastes and several Bistro style Cafes are also beginning to open. Most of the major Pub Chains like Wetherspoons, Walkabout, Yates etc are all represented in the town.
As a native of Sheffield I visit Doncaster quite frequently and I have witnessed many changes over the years. I often actually prefer to Shop here rather than at the much larger (and nearer) Meadowhall Complex because it is easier to Park. It also makes a change of scenery from Shopping in my home town. I also like the idea that you can walk from the Frenchgate Shopping Centre to the Bus Interchange and it is all undercover, which is perfect for Shopping if it is raining.
On the downside I do not consider Doncaster to be a very pretty town. It is true that it has some fine Buildings that there are also a good number of eyesores too. One of the major ones being several blocks of high rise flats right on the edge of the City Centre which are clearly visible from everywhere you look.
However I do believe that the positive things in Doncaster's favour far outweigh the negative ones and the City is currently undergoing a major revamp. This includes the creation of a huge Education Campus in the town, the largest investment of its kind in the UK, plus further development and expansion of the Lakeside Complex.
Advantages: Good Road and Rail Links Disadvantages: Far too many to list
...call it my home. Doncaster is an old town, the Romans passed through here right through the town centre. The Town its self has lots of history in it, there are a number of old buildings (some listed) and some nice architecture, (however its disappearing fast as Doncaster council in their wisdom seem to be pulling down any buildings made before the 1960’s). Having said that the council did recently rescue the Old Corn exchange building after ... ...some of the things Doncaster has to offer. Contrary to what you hear on TV, when Doncaster is the but of many comedian’s joke, The Town is actually an old market town foremost and just happened to have a lot of mining in its surrounding districts. As a result Doncaster has a pretty impressive Market (one of the largest in the country). The shopping is quite extensive but hardly exciting, I’m afraid the select boutiques and exclusive shopping ...
sheff22 27.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Doncaster in General
Advantages: see above Disadvantages: not very happening really esp for a student
Doncaster is a good town really, as it has most of what people ask for in a town. It has great shopping facilities, with a large town centre shopping centre called the Frenchgate Centre, and good shopping along the nearby streets. There is a large indoor market, which stocks a lot of quality fish and meats as well as other stalls such as clothes. Market days are at the end of the weeks, so it is highly recommended that you do not travel through the ... ...on market days! Doncaster also has a mini shopping outlet, Doncaster Lakeside, home to factory shops for companies such as Lee, Clarks and Pilot, and is home to the town's Toys R Us. The complex has extensive car parking facilities, lots of restaurants and good family pubs for rest, good food and entertainment. There are a lot of large specialist stores around the town, but not situated in the centre but they make up for this by providing good car ...
judithritchie 28.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Doncaster in General
...are a few attractions at Doncaster to visit such as the dome (no not the millennium but the Doncaster) which is a good sports centre, the famous racecourse where many a race has been held and also the notorious night life. They are stacks of pubs and a couple of good night clubs, the karisma and the visage. We can also offer a football club although it doesn’t offer much football! The shopping is quite good with a good range of retail outlets in ...
emlynsimpson 30.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Doncaster in General
...need. It has a wicked fish and chip shop near the market.
On the outskirts of Doncaster there is the racecourse.
It also has the "Doncaster Dome" which is a large sports centre which is good.
Lots of pubs and clubs for a cool night life.
Generally a nice place. ...
Venus62 12.08.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Doncaster in General
Advantages: Cheap, easy access, enough for a couple of days, good night life Disadvantages: Not the most beautiful of places, small
Doncaster has a prison the locals call Doncatraz. Doncaster is the teenage pregnancy capital of England. Doncaster has a bunch of plastic trees outside the town hall. Interesting facts!
So what does 'Donny' as the locals call it, have to offer anyone determined enough to visit South Yorkshire?
Doncaster is a large town in South Yorkshire, a heavy industry county based on iron, steel, mining, generally in decline. It has been semi-renovated, with ... ...dirty.
In the town centre itself is an outdoor market, famous for fish, but including a lot of bric-a-brac. There are the usual high street shops, but little in the way of unusual shops. There's a small shopping arcade, the Frenchgate Centre, and plenty of night clubs, though many of them can get rough. If you want a quick lay, that's no problem in Donnie!
The town is very well served transport wise, with two bus stations and a train station on ...
peppermint 30.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Doncaster in General
Value for Money
Sightseeing
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around
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Advantages: Lots of history Disadvantages: Admission charges
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Brodsworth Hall is located approximately 5 miles (8 kilometres) to the north west of Doncaster town centre. It is sign posted and easily accessible by car but it is not served by public transport. There is a large car parking area just inside the entrance.
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Advantages: Ideally Located, Room For Expansion. Disadvantages: Check-In Quite Slow.
, and three different Bars, including two JD Wetherspoon Bars. All Bars and the Food Hall are located where they can be enjoyed by all visitors to the Airport, whether they are flying or not.
HOW TO GET THERE
The Airport is situated in South Yorkshire close to the major cities of Sheffield, Leeds, Hull, York and Lincoln. Nearby are the towns of Doncaster, Rotherham, Barnsley, Grimsby, Scunthorpe, Worksop, Bawtry and Gainsborough.
It is easily accessible by car as it is situated very close to the M18 Motorway, which branches off the M1 at junction 2, from where it is clearly sign posted.
The postal address is:
Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield
First Avenue
Doncaster
Sheffield
DN9 3RH
The Airport is well served by rail and has its own Rail link from Doncaster.
GENERAL INFORMATION
There is an official Taxi Rank ...
Advantages: they run trains, some are nice, staff Disadvantages: some trains are awful, absolutely appalling customer service
to Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen).
The routes are generally good and are much faster than the midland mainline (from Yorkshire), however to and from Scotland are generally slower than the west coast mainline.
STATIONS
The stations are mostly pleasant with few exceptions. Stations such as Doncaster were refurbished and modernised before NXEC took over. Currently work is taking place at King's Cross Station to modernise it and get it looking a lot better, as let's face it?at the minute it looks like a rather poorly maintained though very large shed, it is dark, dingy and very unpleasant. Also, NXEC has promised to improve other stations such as Wakefield Westgate, once a very nice station, I remember using the station as a young kid and thinking it was nice but it has been allowed to fall into a state of general?rubbishness! All in ...
