Situated in South Yorkshire, just 20 miles from Sheffield, the town of Doncaster has a whole lot to offer for a family day out. Called “Donny” by the locals this town is one of the oldest boroughs in the United Kingdom, as well as one of the largest. It was originally a Roman settlement and an important part of the Roman road providing a direct route between York and Lincoln. Today, there are plenty of great attractions to visit here for all the familyand here are just a few of them.
Conisbrough Castle
Conisbrough Castle in one of the main attractions in South Yorkshire and a must see on your visit. The characteristic circular keep tower rising 97 feet from the ground can be seen from afar and proudly dominates its surroundings. The Norman castle is thought to have been built in the 12th century by Hamelin Plantagenet who was the fifth Earl of Surrey. Visit the ruins and wander around the grounds to soak up the atmosphere of this remarkable place just outside Doncaster.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park
As a relatively new attraction near Doncaster the Yorkshire Wildlife Park can offer some fantastic scenery with impressive wild animals from all over the world. After opening its gates in April 2009 its popularity has only increased and in 2011 over 320,000 people visited the park. Yorkshire Wildlife Park is perhaps best known for rescuing a pride of 13 lions in 2010 from the Romanian Oradea Zoo who were living under very poor conditions. These lions now live in a large 10-acre enclosure called Lion Country in the park which is one of their main attractions. Other animals the park cares for are lemurs, red deer, meerkats, wallabies, Siberian tigers and an Amur leopard. They also have some farm animals such as donkeys, chickens and sheep.
Brodsworth Hall
About 5 miles from Doncaster you can find Brodsworth Hall, one of just a handful of almost complete specimens of a Victorian country house in England. This is truly one of the most unique attractions in South Yorkshire as most of the interior of this splendid house have stayed as it was in its heyday, as far back as the 1860s. When English Heritage took over the property they decided to conserve the house in the state it was in rather than attempting a restoration. The grounds contain beautifully laid out Victorian gardens and the recent addition of a children’s play area makes it an even better day out for all the family.
Accommodation Near Doncaster
There are many great hotels in the centre of Doncaster and staying in the middle of things gives you access to all the hustle and bustle of the shopping streets and nightlife. If, however, you prefer a quieter hotel break you can find country hotels in peaceful surroundings just outside Doncaster where you will still have easy access to all the attractions that Doncaster has to offer.
If you are looking for beautiful country hotels in Doncaster Vivian Anderson recommends Wentbridge House Hotel situated less than 20 minutes from Doncaster in tranquil surroundings.