Doncaster is anancient city that developed from aRomanfort called 'Danum'. It was built on a Roman roadErmine Street, which linkedLondon toYork. The fort was built whereDoncaster Minster now stands. However in the 4th century Roman civilization declined and the last Roman soldiers left Britain in 407 AD.[2]
Later Doncaster developed into amedieval cityship with a fortifiedboundary and historicgates. What remains of the gates can still be seen in the city today. Conisbrough Castle was built here after theNorman Conquest and, following a slow building up of markets across the centuries, the city quickly became the most profitable of its size in the county.[3]
Doncaster also has a market which has existed for over 750 years.
As the centuries passed, Doncaster became an important city post on the route between London andEdinburgh. An ancient road called theGreat North Road passed straight through the very centre of Doncaster, and the city grew around and along this road.
When railways were invented, Doncaster became famous forsteam trains. It was an important stop for trains travelling betweenScotland and London. It is still an important stop today. A big factory for making trains was built in Doncaster. Some of the finest and fastest steam trains in the world were built in Doncaster. These trains includeThe Flying Scotsman,The Mallard, andThe Sir Nigel Gresley. The station also houses a unique Victorian themed bar on platform 3b.
Doncaster was one of the first places in the country that madeaeroplanes and had an airport. The firstairshow in the country was held in Doncaster in 1908.
Doncaster has aninternational airport which was opened in 2005. The airport is growing very fast and lots of people from across the region and acrossEurope now use Doncaster as a popular destination – which is something that people have already been doing for the last 2000 years.
Doncaster is famous forhorse racing. Doncaster is one of the oldestracecourses in the world. It hosts two famous horse races: The Doncaster Cup, which is the oldest horse race in the world, and the St Leger Stakes, which is the oldest classic horse race in the world. There has been horse racing in Doncaster for over 500 years.[4] The horse racing started because of the horses that used to pullhorse-drawn coaches on the Great North Road.
Doncaster is also the name of a suburb in easternMelbourne, Australia. It is home to two state primary schools: Doncaster Gardens Primary School and Doncaster Primary School.
