Doncaster
Doncaster lies in what was once a
great sweep of Yorkshire coalfields. It is home to one of
the finest racecourses in the country where the classic
St.Leger Stakes has been run each September since 1776,
making the race four years older than the Derby.
The town developed at the side of the River Don, a hub of
the inland waterway system which is lively with all types of
sailing craft, it is popular
for
fishing and for studying the natural life of the water,
including swans, ducks and moorhens. Sometimes in the
morning mist there is the odd heron to be seen, and the
reeded bushes along some of the tow paths provide a habitat
for several species of wildlife.
Doncaster can trace its history back to the Romans and
possibly beyond. It is known the Romans built fortifications
here about 71AD. When the Romans left Britain, they were
followed by the Saxons and the Normans, and by the 12th
century Doncaster had become a busy market town with a
charter presented by King Richard in 1194. During the 13th
and 14th centuries several religious orders set up in the
town, these were mainly monastic, consisting of Franciscan
friars and an order of Carmelites.
By the time of the 17th/18th centuries the town had become a
significant coaching town with numerous coaching inns
providing sanctuary for travellers and a resting place for
horses. Doncaster as a centre
for travellers was able to expand more rapidly when the
rail-line reached the town in 1849. This brought greater
opportunities for the transportation of goods, and gave the
population the option of speedier travel to places
previously out of reach. When the Great Northern Railway
moved its engine works to the town, not only did it become
the major employer in the area, but it brought greater
prosperity. Interestingly, this is the town that built the
famous Flying Scotsman, and in 2003 she returned to
Doncaster for a face lift and a fresh coat of paint before
going on show to celebrate 150 years of rail in Doncaster.
Another feature of Doncaster is Butterscotch, this succulent
sweetmeat has been made in the town since early in the 20th
century.
Looking around Doncaster you cannot fail to see the 170 ft,
many pinnacled tower of St.George's Church, for this serves
as a gracious landmark seen from most parts of the town. The
church replaces an earlier medieval church gutted by fire in
1852. The new church, designed by Sir Gilbert Scott was
completed for dedication in 1858.
Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery opened in 1909, this is a
mine of information relating to the town's Roman period. It
has displays of Roman ornaments, and from Saxon times there
is a variety of weapons and 300 million year old fossils.
The town has many attractive Victorian and Edwardian
buildings remaining from its most illustrious periods.
Included in these is Cusworth Hall, an imposing 18th century
house set in magnificent parkland which was once the home of
the Battie-Wrightson family. It also has plenty of tourist
attractions, amongst these is Aero-Venture based at the
former site of RAF Doncaster.
This
is singularly atmospheric with a treasure trove of aviation
history, military and commercial light aircraft collections,
and a jet engine collection including De Havilland Ghost,
Rolls Royce Avon and Conway. You can be entertained by a
WWII front exhibition and amongst other things, see aircraft
under reconstruction. Several cockpits are left open for you
to get a feel of what it might be like to be a "real" pilot,
this is especially thrilling for children.
Doncaster's 18th century Mansion House contains an ornate
banqueting hall, and a wide staircase with a handsome
wrought iron balustrade. Inside it contains many treasures,
these are usually on show on any one of the Mansion House
open days held during the summer.
For anyone wishing to explore on foot there are town trails
taking you to see the most historic and scenic parts of
Doncaster. There is Theatre and Cinema, the Arndale Centre
provides excellent shopping, and at the heart of Doncaster
visitors will find cafe's, pubs, clubs, multi-cultural
restaurants and the usual mix of take-a-ways.
The tradition of welcome which has existed since Doncaster
was a coaching town in the 17th century continues to this
day and visitors will find no shortage of hospitable
accommodation, this includes hotels to suit all tastes,
guest houses and bed and breakfast.