Doncaster is a historic South Yorkshire market town that offers a mix of rural and urban life. It's surrounded by countryside, including the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, but its heart is a modern metropolis with a bustling high street and a famous racecourse - home to the world's oldest classic horse race, the St Leger Stakes. On top of that, there's also a fascinating industrial and railway heritage, Georgian and Regency architecture and a thriving restaurant scene.
Visiting Doncaster
Doncaster is a transport town, with both planes and trains looming large in its history. In fact, its air travel heritage goes all the way back to the start - the first-ever aviation meeting in Britain took place at Doncaster Racecourse in 1909. To find out more, head to the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum at Lakeside.
As for rail, the Great Northern Railway built the very first locomotive works in Doncaster in 1853. It was the birthplace of iconic engines the Mallard and the Flying Scotsman - the first locomotive to reach 100mph.
Horse racing is another major draw for the town, and it has a long history here. Races are thought to have begun in the 1500s, and the world-famous Doncaster Cup was established in 1766, with the St Leger Stakes joining it 10 years later. Today tens of thousands visit Doncaster Racecourse every year - it's easy to reach via local buses from right outside Doncaster station.
Doncaster's wealth of historic buildings set it apart from many other local cities. Before you leave, take time to wander the original Roman wall from the ramparts of the fort to Doncaster Minster in the centre of town. There are also Norman castles in nearby Tickhill and Conisbrough.
Planning to visit more cities in South Yorkshire by train? Check out our dedicated page to South Yorkshire trains.
Frequently asked questions
How can I get cheap train tickets to Doncaster?
It's easy to grab yourself cheap train tickets to Doncaster. We’d recommend using a Railcard, buying your ticket in advance or travelling during Off-Peak hours if you can.
Are trains running to Doncaster?
Trains run frequently almost every day to Doncaster, although there may be less services during the weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains to Doncaster.
How long does it take to get to Doncaster by train?
You can view train timetables and travel times to Doncaster in our Journey Planner. Doncaster is well connected to major cities around the UK by train, just enter your departure station and travel date into our Journey Planner to see how long it takes.
Can I use my Railcard to save up to 1/3 on my trip to Doncaster?
Yes, there are several types of Railcards you can use to save up to 1/3 on your trip to Doncaster, these include:
- Two-Together Railcard (Great for couples and friends who always travel together)
- 16-17 Saver (You can save up to 50% with this one)
- 16-25 Railcard (Ideal for students)
- 26-30 Railcard (Also known as the Millennial Railcard)
- Senior Railcard (For those aged 60 and over)
- Friends & Family Railcard (Great for families of up to 4 adults with up to 4 kids)
- Disabled Railcard (If travelling with another adult they can save too)
Having a Railcard means you can use it whenever you want outside of Peak times for a whole year too.