Doncaster is the oldest and in terms of physic capacity, the largest horse racing centre in Britain. Records of regular horse race meetings date back to 16th century, while in 1600 the corporation tried to put an end to the races, but in 14 years they acknowledged their failure and marked down a racecourse instead.

Active stagecoach trading took place in Doncaster since the 16th century leading to fine horse breeding traditions. This created an opportunity to have horse races due to the widespread horse breeding and training traditions. The first and actually even nowadays the most important race was Doncaster Gold Cup established in 1766. This, in fact, is the world’s oldest continuous regulated horse race. Ten years later the racecourse moved from the initial place to its present location and from there on, world’s oldest classic horse race St Leger Stakes, named after Colonel Anthony St Leger, takes place. In this race 5 horses compete and it’s the fifth and final Classic of the British Flat racing season still remaining the world’s oldest classic horse race.

In 1992, the historical first ever Sunday meeting of British racecourse took place. Despite no betting was allowed, still remarkable 23,000 people showed up.

Doncaster is a left-handed, pear-shaped track of around 1 mile 7½ furlongs which is mostly flat. There are courses for Flat racing and National Hunt racing. The centre was reopened in 2007 after significant renovation with new stables, grandstand, exhibition centre and bloodstock. Being opened for the trial of St Leger Stakes, it was opened with a celebration just two days before the actual race opened by Princess Royal presented with a box of Parkinson’s Butterscotch, a traditional Doncaster sweet.

To feel the excitement and sight the speed and muscular power of racing horses, a rental car might become handy. For this Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Sixt, Alamo, National & Thrifty Car Rental are among the most popular ones in Doncaster.

Doncaster is a large town in South Yorkshire, England. Located around 32km from Sheffield, it is often referred as “Donny”. In recent years it has shown marks of intensive development considering the expansion of shopping centre and transport interchange named Frenchgate Centre. Also Education City’s campus is in development being the biggest educational investment of kind in England at time.
From late 18th to 20th century Doncaster has showed great industrial potential mainly due to its richness of deep seem coal lying underneath the area. In the light of Industrial Revolution a railway and locomotive industry was established because of the sites good location and connection to other areas as well as the locals’ high expertise in specialist metal works. During both World War railway industry was enhanced into munitions factory. An extensive housing program was carried out growing the city in rapid speeds.
Doncaster is also famous for its 19th and 20th century confectioners including Parkinson’s the Butterscotch inventers, Nuttalls Mintoes and Murray Mints.
Today’s Doncaster is housing numerous distribution centres thanks to its proximity to major urban centres and good motor and railway infrastructure, for example The International Rail Freight Centre at Black Bank is transporting good to Europe via rail. Large companies such as Tesco, Next, Ikea and Exel have their huge warehouses and logistic centres located there. The B&Q Distribution centre was the largest free-standing warehouse I the whole UK. Doncaster was granted Fairtrade Town status on 5 March 2004.
Although becoming the largest coal mining area in the beginning of the 20th century and rapidly growing in any terms Doncaster, like many other coal mining-dependant areas, received a significant strikeback in the 1980s as several pits closed causing the whole economy to slow down. Today’s tendencies show that Doncaster is one of the most rapidly growing areas in UK having an average growth rate around 16%.
Access and moving around Doncaster is easy. Using the fine infrastructure a rental car is a great way to explore around. Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Sixt, Alamo, National & Thrifty Car Rental are the most popular car hiring companies around Doncaster.

Blaco Hill Self Catering Cottages Doncaster is situated on a working farm in Mattersey, South Yorkshire. The cottages seven in number can sleep from 2 in the smallest to 6 in the largest. All cottages have the following facilities;- Electric cookers & hotplates, Dishwashers, Microwaves, Fridge with icebox or Freezer, Digital Televisions, DVD Player, Patio Furniture, Shared BBQ, Gas Central Heating., Laundry room with washing machines and driers, ironing facilities, Children’s play area and a Large car park.
Contact Tel: 01777 817254 Email: enquiries@blacohillcottages.co.uk
Brook Lodge Country Cottage is a rural retreat on the edges of South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. The cottage has a tastefully decorated lounge / dining room, a patio with magnificent views of the garden; Furniture includes one luxurious sofa and a dining table with four chairs, and a variety of other distinctive items. There is a television in the lounge. The kitchen is fully equipped with an electric oven and hob, fridge and freezer, microwave oven and washing machine. Wifi internet access and off street parking adjacent to cottage are available.
Contact Phone / Fax: 01302 772285 Mobile: 07919544566 Email: info.brook.lodge@googlemail.com
Fishlake Mill is situated in open countryside, just outside the ancient village of Fishlake. The Mill provides accommodation for up to six people on a self catering basis. All bedrooms are beautifully furnished. One with en-suite facilities and a further master bathroom. All bedrooms have satellite TV. On the ground floor is a large lounge with open inglenook fireplace, exposed beams and a state of the art entertainment system. A modern kitchen provides all Cooking and dining requirements.
Contact Phone: 01302 841486 Mobile: 07768 041910 Email: info@fishlakemill.co.uk

The Angel Inn & Lodge Misson is the perfect accommodation close to Doncaster Airport. Built
200 years ago, it has been extended to its current size over the years with a fine conservatory
area overlooking the landscaped gardens.
The cheerful rooms provide clean and bright accommodation with excellent furnishings, TV and
Tea & Coffee-making facilities in your room.
The Inn provides an extensive selection of bar meals served with an excellent range of ales and
drinks.
Contact: TEL 01302 711761
Thorne Central Guest House located in the historic Market Town of Thorne, 11 miles northeast
of Doncaster, provides competitively priced accommodation facilities to all.
The guest house has four single bedrooms, three twin bedrooms, one double room, a treble
bedroom and one family room consisting of a double bed and two bunk beds. All rooms offer
en-suite facilities which include a WC, shower, wash basin and an internet point tea & coffee
making facilities and TV.
A generous full English breakfast consisting of juice, cereal, bacon, egg, sausage, beans,
tomatoes, toast and egg (fried, poached, scrambled or boiled) served with lashings of tea and
coffee is also provided in the breakfast room.
Contact: Telephone: 01405 818358 Email: enquiries@thornecentralguesthouse.co.uk
Ye Olde Bell Hotel & Restaurant is a fully restored 17th century coaching inn in the rural
countryside village of Barnby Moor near Retford Nottinghamshire.
49 fabulous rooms ranging from singles to family rooms and stunning suites restored to reflect
the charm of a bygone age yet incorporate the modern luxuries like flat screen TVs, Wi-Fi and
fluffy duvets, luxurious toiletries and superb power showers.
The St Leger bar with crackling log fires and racing memorabilia, it is a relaxing place for a little
local banter over a hand-pulled Yorkshire ale, or if you prefer enjoy a Pimms on the new ‘Inside
Outside’ garden bar. Restaurant 1650 and St Leger Bistro-by-the-Bar offer an interesting and
extensive menu drawn from the region’s rural heritage.
The hotel boasts six function rooms from a smart boardroom for 10 to a grand suite
accommodating up to 250 delegates theatre style.
Contact: Tel: 01777 705121; Fax: 01777 860424 Email:
enquiries@yeoldebell-hotel.co.uk
Albion House B&B is a family run business providing comfortable, relaxing and homely
accommodation in the centre of the town with all available facilities within a few minutes’ walk.
All the rooms are ensuite with tea and coffee making facilities, hair dryer and television and
include full cooked breakfast.
Contact: Tel 01427 872451 Fax 01427 872489 email: info@albionhousebandb.co.uk

Ramada Encore Doncaster is a 3 star AA rated hotel just a walking distance from the airport.

The hotel offers 102 air-conditioned rooms with modern bathrooms with invigorating power showers, flat screen color TV with radio and pay movie channels, direct dial telephones and offer desk space with high-speed internet access.

The Hub restaurant is the ideal place to relax and unwind with family or friends. The restaurant and bar serves a wide range of wines, spirits and beer and a choice of European dishes to accompany. It is wifi enabled.

Best Western Mount Pleasant Hotel set in 100 acres of wooded parkland this Georgian Country House offers some of the best accommodation next to Robin Hood Airport. Centrally located to the A1, M1, M18 and M62 the hotel is ideally situated for shopping breaks to Meadowhall, Lincoln and Leeds.

The large and elegant rooms come equipped with  En-suite bathrooms, tea and coffee making facilities, a desk or dressing table, hairdryer, wardrobe, trouser press, iron and ironing board, and comfortable chair are all as standard in every room. Each room also has free wireless broadband and satellite television. The Garden Restaurant offers seasonal cuisine made from fresh local produce wherever possible.

The Crown Hotel situated 3 miles from the airport was an 18th century coaching house, has for 300 years charmed guests with its unique character and warm, intimate atmosphere. Located in the picturesque town of town of Bawtry on the Great North Road near the A1. The hotel is an ideal base from which to explore excellent shops, high quality restaurants and nightspots whilst Lincoln Market, the Dales, Lakeside and Meadowhall, Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster Dome and Doncaster Racecourse are all within easy reach.

Mood lighting, photographic wallpaper and sensuous soft furnishings, combined with stylish bathrooms with Gilchrist and Soames toiletries, plus instant WI-FI access and interactive LCD TVs, make staying at The Crown an exquisite, home from home experience.

The Crown Hotel restaurant in a rustic and contemporary setting offers food freshly made using only local produce delivered daily from our network of renowned high quality merchants.

The Campanile Hotel, Doncaster, is ideally suited for both business and leisure travelers, situated within walking distance of both Doncaster Dome Leisure Park and the famous Doncaster Racecourse which has held the St Ledger Race for a number of years. The hotel is located just outside Doncaster City Centre in the Lakeside District and is just 10 minutes drive from Doncaster Robin Hood International Airport. The Hotel comprises of 50, en suite rooms, all have bath and showers, direct dial telephone, Satellite TV, Tea/Coffee making facilities, Wifi and free onsite car parking. Our restaurant and bar are open from 11am until late serving food and snacks throughout the day. The conference room can hold up to 30 people, theatre style, and can be used for a number of occasions.

The Park Inn Doncaster is ideally located for both business and leisure. The hotel is situated barely a mile from Doncaster and is on the main access road to the town. The hotel has 87 comfortable and spacious non smoking bedrooms which feature a modern and contemporary style. If you are a keen race goer you will know that the great St Ledger classic is held at the nearby Doncaster Racecourse. We believe that the Park Inn Doncaster is one of the best hotels in Doncaster for both quality and good value.