Did You Know?

Doncaster is a very large town in the north of England. It is in a Metropolitan County (an area of dense population) called South Yorkshire.

The Romans built well-engineered surfaced roads to speed up movement of soldiers, civilian administrators, goods and messages. Roads led from Danum to Lincoln and to Castleford and York. The stone used to make the roads would have come from nearby quarries.

The St Leger is the oldest classic horse race in the world. The idea to race horses over a 2-mile distance was first conceived in the Red Lion Pub by arm officer Anthony St Leger in 1776. Today people from all over the world come to Doncaster Racecourse.

The clock on the Minister Church of Saint George  was designed and made by the same people that designed Big Ben, Lord Grimthorpe and John Edward Dent.

Shirley and Eddie Clarkson designed the stuffed toy in a factory known as the Bear Garden in Doncaster. The first prototype bears were given to their children, Grand Tour presenter and former Top Gear presenter, Jeremy Clarkson and his sister Joanna for Christmas in 1972.

The Oscar-winning film Darkest Hour was part filmed near herer. The scene where Churchill meets the King in his Downing Street bedroom was actually Brodsworth House.

Britain's first ever aviation meeting was held at Doncaster Racecourse. At these meetings people gathered to see early aircraft. A replica of the Bleriot monoplane from these 1909 displays can be seen at the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum at Lakeside.

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

There is a common belief that Doncaster is technically still part of Scotland. In the 12th Century the town was signed over to King David I in the Treaty of Durham. But it was never officially given back.

Doncaster 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.

The town is on the Explorer's 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 beautiful towns and cities full of history and adventures waiting to be explored.

Cusworth Hall is a Grade 1 listed building, set in historic parkland. It houses fascinating museum collections that reflect the daily life of people from 18th Century to the present day.