10 Best Things To Do In Doncaster, England

best things to do in doncaster uk
Jessica
Jessica 
Updated
| 4 min read

Doncaster is a historical market town in South Yorkshire with centuries of history to boast about. The ‘Donny’ people are proud of their town and they aren’t afraid to show it. With a variety of monuments, museums and parks to see, your trip to Doncaster will be packed with interesting and exciting things to do.

1. Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user jonathan_siberry used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Get up close and personal with over 70 species nestled right in the Yorkshire countryside. This is more than a zoo, the wildlife park is also a leading centre in conservation and welfare - meaning your ticket money goes towards protecting animals. Not only can you take photos of the lions and bears, you can also buy tickets to spend time with the animals - at meal times and feed your very own meerkat or monkey or giraffe!

Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Address: Warning Tongue Ln, Branton DN4 6TB

Prices: Adult: 17 GBP (22.15 USD) Child: 14 GBP (18.25 USD)

Website: Yorkshire Wildlife Park

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2. Brodsworth Hall and Gardens

Brodsworth Hall gardens
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Nilfanion used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Brodsworth Hall and Gardens were created in the 1860s and serve as a perfect example of the living quarters for upper class Victorians. Since 1990 conservation work has taken place in order to preserve it so that visitors can get a glimpse into the past. The house tells the story of the Thellusson family who lived their during the 19th and 20th centuries and who experienced the vast changes in society that took place during those years. It is truly an exciting day out as you learn about how the changing times affected the occupants of the house.

Brodsworth Hall and Gardens

Address: Brodsworth, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN5 7XJ

Prices: Adult: 10.90 GBP (14.20 USD) Child: 6.50 GBP (8.50 USD)

Website: Brodsworth Halls and Gardens

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3. The Vulcan Experience

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Get up close to planes that were at the forefront of technological advancements in the 20th century. The Vulcan XH558 was one of the most strategically important aircrafts during the Cold War. The Vulcan Experience gives you a chance to learn about the amazing technologies of this plane that helped lead to the created of the Concord and the Space Shuttle. You also get to find out what the British plan was if their was ever a Soviet nuclear attack! This is a fun day out for all the family.

The Vulcan Experience

Address: Hangar 3, Fourth Avenue, Robin Hood Airport, Doncaster DN9 3GF

Website: The Vulcan Experience

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4. Conisbrough Castle

Conisbrough Castle
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Mball93 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Originally built by William the Conqueror’s son-in-law, Conisbrough Castle has been through a few renovations in its almost 1000 years of existence. It has been owned by various Kings and Queens and eventually became the inspiration for Sir Walter Scott’s ‘Ivanhoe’. Delve into the castle’s medieval history through the interactive displays or on a guided tour.

Conisbrough Castle

Address: Castle Hill, Conisbrough, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN12 3BU

Prices: Adult: 5.50 GBP (7.15 USD) Child: 3.30 GBP (4.30 USD)

Website: Conisbrough Castle

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5. Cusworth Hall

Cusworth Hall
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Foto43 used under CC BY 2.0

Cusworth Hall is a stunning building surrounded by parks and lakes which overlooks the town of Doncaster. Within Cusworth Hall you can find the Museum of South Yorkshire Life, a museum which depicts the life of the Yorkshire people over the last 200 years. Outside of the museum you can find gorgeous gardens and lakes to admire and if you’re lucky you might come across some of the wildlife such as moorhens or water bats! And of course, there is a lovely family-run tea room to sit back and relax in after a long walk around the grounds.

Cusworth Hall

Address: Cusworth Lane , Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN5 7TU

Website: Cusworth Hall and Museum

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6. Ashworth Barracks

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The Ashworth Barrack Museum is all about recognising the heroic soldiers awarded the Victoria cross, the most prestigious award in the British honours system. The collection of awards, uniforms, and military items displayed in the museum are used to tell the story of the soldiers who have received the award.

Ashworth Barracks Museum

Address: Cedar Road, Doncaster DN4 9EY

Price: Adult: 7 GBP (9.10 USD) Child: 6 GBP (7.80 USD)

Website: Ashworth Barracks

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7. South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum

South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum
Source: Photo by Flickr user Alec Wilson used under CC BY-SA 2.0

South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum exhibits over a centuries worth of aircraft from the very first air show in Britain in 1901 to modern day planes and jets. If you’re a plane enthusiast you can learn all about aircraft from their interactive displays. Or, if you’re a social media enthusiast, you can take the perfect selfie in the cockpit of various antique planes and helicopters.

South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum

Address: Dakota Way, Airborne Road, Doncaster DN4 7FB

Price: Adult: 6.50 GBP (8.46 USD) Child: 3 GBP (3.90 USD)

Website: Aircraft Museum

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8. Potteric Carr Nature Reserve

 Potteric Carr nature reserve
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Steve F used under CC BY-SA 2.0

With a diverse selection of habitats to choose from, you could spend days at the Potteric Carr Nature Reserve wandering the trails and spotting different animals. The park serves as the perfect background for your photos of kingfishers, dragonflies, herons and deer who call this place home. Recently a new visitors centre has been opened so you can sit back and enjoy a tea or coffee surrounded by Mother Nature.

Potteric Carr Nature Reserve

Address: Mallard Way Doncaster South Yorkshire DN4 8DB

Price: Adult: 4 GBP (5.20 USD) Child: 2.50 GBP (3.25 USD)

Website: Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

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9. Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery

Doncaster-Museum-and-Art-Gallery
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Dominik.tancos used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery showcases exhibitions about the local area focusing on the archaeology and natural and social history. The gallery houses a permanent collection of fine and decorative art from the area. As well as the permanent exhibitions, there is also a varied temporary exhibition programme throughout the year. Whether you admire the art from afar or get stuck in with the fun activities, this is a great day out for all ages.

Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery

Address: Chequer Road, Doncaster DN1 2AE

Website: Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery

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10. Mansion House, Doncaster

Doncaster Mansion House
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jonathan Thacker used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Dominating the high street in Doncaster is the Mansion House. Purposely built as a place for the city’s mayor to entertain guests in the eighteenth century, this impressive structure is still the prime location for hosting parties today. Inside the house you can find artefacts acquired over its 200 year history place in large grand rooms which you can explore on Mansion House open days.

Mansion House

Address: High Street , Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN1 1BN

Website: Mansion House Open Days

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A jewel in 'God's Own County'

St Georges Doncaster 3
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Frees used under CC0

The Yorkshire people are some of the proudest in the world and the Doncaster locals are no different. Their city is full of impressive buildings, exhibitions and views. No trip to the north of England is complete without a visit to Doncaster, so get out there and explore all that they city has to offer.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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