Ahead of the St Leger Festival we highlight some of the best places to live in Doncaster

In return they gave us roads, great architecture, plumbing, bath houses, currency and more. They also helped give Doncaster its name, which derives from the River Don and the old English Celtic name “Ceaster”, which translates as “Roman fort”.

The city is now most famous for its much-loved and beautifully kept Group 1 racecourse. One of the oldest courses in the UK, Doncaster is home to the prestigious St Leger festival, which runs annually and this year the runners and riders are under starters orders from September 14th to 17th.

The event attracts thousands of visitors from across the UK and beyond. Many stay over but, consumed by the Sport of Kings, they rarely get to explore the area, which has a host of attractive and well-served villages and small towns that couldn’t be more different from Doncaster city centre and its environs.

Chris Thomson, MD of Robinson Hornby estate agents, says: “Central Doncaster is mainly low value terraced housing with a high percentage of rental properties while surrounding it are some stunning villages and sought-after small towns, such as Bawtry, Barnburgh and Tickhill.”

In the post lockdown rush to escape to the country, properties in these areas saw up to a 20 per cent increase in value, though Chris says the market and prices have now cooled, in common with the rest of the UK.

The numbers of those from urban areas in the south moving to the area during the pandemic induced boom weren’t particularly high and have also fallen, even though it takes just one hour and 40 minutes to get from Doncaster central to London Kings Cross. For those looking to commute to the North’s great cities, the rail journey to Leeds and Sheffield takes just half an hour and it’s an hour and 20 minutes to Manchester.

The journeys offer a chance to reminisce about the city’s proud railway history, which saw the famous Flying Scotsman steam train built here in 1923, and its modern day boast of a talented workforce at Wabtec Rail, one of the UK's leading railway engineering companies, still based in “Donny”.

Rightmove’s latest overall view on average house prices in Doncaster, which include the city’s lower value central area and its higher value towns and villages, reveals that you get a lot of bang for your buck. Properties in the DN postcode area record an overall average price of £181,279 over the last year.

The majority of sales were semi-detached properties selling for an average price of £164,234. Terraced properties sold for an average of £116,933, with detached properties fetching £297,194. Overall, sold prices in Doncaster over the last year were two per cent up on the previous year and 12 per cent up on the 2020 peak of £162,395.

A new study by Cala Homes looked at the median weekly salary in over 130 UK towns and cities and worked out how long it would take a single person to save for a ten per cent deposit for a home in those areas. Doncaster ranked ninth in the top ten most affordable places for those buying solo.

Here are some of the most sought-after Doncaster villages and small towns you might want to take a look at: Bawtry. This attractive market town on the Yorkshire/Nottinghamshire border is hugely popular and house prices reflect this. It sits by the River Idle and has a good selection of shops and places to eat. The quality of life is good as are the schools. Average house price: £301,780.

Tickhill: This pretty and lively village is characterised by its historic buildings and quaint cottages. It has a vibrant community, good schools and a selection of shops. It also boasts excellent transport links and is close to the A1. Average house price: £234,136.

Sprotbrough: This pretty village has two claims to fame. Second World War hero Sir Douglas Bader spent his teenage years here and Sir Walter Scott’s stay here helped inspire the setting for Ivanhoe. The village is well served with shops and a a canal and river run through it. Average house price: £176,737.

Hickleton: This historic village is two and a half miles from the A1M and is known for its seven stone crosses, with the first erected in the medieval era. It has a village hall and a top golf club. Average house price: £470,333.

Barnburgh: This attractive village is eight miles from Doncaster city centre and has a beautiful Norman church. Average house price: £325,000.

Burghwallis: Jeremy Clarkson grew up in this rural and historic village where his parents had a Grade II listed house. He remembers it fondly. It is is in easy reach of the A1. Average price: £353,000.

Hooton Pagnell: This pretty estate village is home to chocolate box cottages, a primary school and Hooton Pagnell Hall. Average house price: £775,000.