|
Doncaster
originated as a 1st century Roman fort on the River Don ('caster'
means fort in Roman). The settlement was rebuilt by the Normans
who constructed nearby Consibrough Castle.
From
the 16th century onwards Doncaster was a wealthy coaching
town on the Great North Road (A1) between London and Edinburgh.
Doncaster's
prosperity at this time is reflected in its impressive 18th
century Mansion House, home of the Lord Mayor. The stagecoach
trade led to horsebreeding, which in turn led to horseracing.
Today the famous Doncaster Racecourse launches the British
Flat-racing season on turf. The racecourse is the home of
the St Ledger Stakes, the oldest Classic Horse Race in the
world.
From
the 18th century to the 20th century Doncaster was one of
the largest coal mining areas in the country. Coal was transported
along the River Don and the Don Navigation to steel production
centres in Sheffield, Rotherham and Scunthorpe.
Industries
associated with coal mining, such as glass making, the production
of chemical polymers and steel foundries, also developed in
the town.
When
the Great Northern Railways moved their works to Doncaster
in 1853 the town became a renowned railway centre. The plant
was responsible for some of Britain's most celebrated locomotives
including the Flying Scotsman and the Mallard. Now Doncaster
remains a hub of the GNER serving the East Coast railway line
between London and Scotland.
Coal
mining has now virtually ceased in the area and many of the
town's old industries have gone with. However, Doncaster's
good communication links means that it now much used by tertiary
industries. Communications were improved still further in
2005 with the opening of the Robin Hood Airport Doncaster
Sheffield (on a former RAF station at Doncaster).
The town
centre is also undergoing huge regeneration, including the
development of an 'Education City' campus.
Visitor
attractions in the town include the
Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery, Doncaster Minister
and Brodsworth
Hall, a fine Victorian house remaining almost exactly
as it was in the 1860s.
Just
on the outskirts of the town are the
Aeroventure
Aircraft Museum, and the Museum of South Yorkshire
Life, located in Cusworth Hall and Park, and the 12th century
Conisbrough Castle.
The town
has some excellent shopping facilities including the Corn
Exchange, one of the largest markets in the country. The
Lakeside Village Outlet Village, on the outskirts of Doncaster,
has a wide range of shops and also houses the Dome Leisure
Centre, cinema, restaurants and cafés.
|
the internet holiday and travel guide to the UK
Doncaster
