Car Rental - Doncaster
Steeped in Roman and Victorian industrial history, the market town of Doncaster is fast becoming a business hub for the United Kingdom, as well as being a gateway to the rest of the north.
From Doncaster, take your car rental to the great lakes and reservoirs of the Peak District, north to the rolling hills and wild moors of the Yorkshire Dales, or head to the bright lights of Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle.
We have a meet and greet service at Doncaster Airport, just seven miles from the city center, where your booking will be managed by one of our Sheffield pick-up locations.
Reserve your perfect vehicle online and we’ll have it ready for you as soon as you arrive. With no hidden extras and no credit card fees, we aim to get you on the road and exploring Doncaster and the surrounding areas as quickly and conveniently as possible.
A Quick Guide to Doncaster
Behind Doncaster’s red-brick industrial facade lies a city with Roman foundations and a history as an 18th-century trade route through Britain. Its historical landmarks are matched by its shopping offering, with huge markets full of brightly colored stalls. Make sure you visit the market inside the Corn Exchange, an ornate and beautiful Victorian-era shopping center.
Amble Through the City Center
Take a stroll down the Victorian-esque high street in central Doncaster, and go treasure-hunting in the many stores that line the street. As a contrast, admire the gilded columns of Mansion House, an impressive white-painted residence dating back to the 18th century. Step inside to see the opulent ballroom and lavish rooms, and enjoy an indulgent British afternoon tea in rooms filled with 18th-century grandeur.
Stop in for a cup of tea and homemade cake at the café inside The Point. This community arts center is a buzzing hive of creativity, where paintings by local artists adorn the walls and choirs and other musicians make themselves heard.
Explore the North’s Stately Homes
On the outskirts of the city, Cusworth Hall is a must-see. The sprawling grounds of this quintessentially British stately home were made for slow and thoughtful walks. Inside, admire rich rooms with frescoed ceilings. Centered in rolling green parklands, the house has a wide view of the sprawling town below.
A short drive north-west of Doncaster in your rental car will take you to Brodsworth Hall and Gardens, which have been virtually untouched since the Victorian times. Delve into the life of an English aristocrat with a tour round this magnificent, perfectly preserved stately home.
Crystal chandeliers glimmer in the high-corniced ceilings and antique furnishings glisten with gold. Stroll through the gardens where perfectly shaped hedges and manicured flowerbeds border peaceful walkways, and smell the sweet scent of the wild rose garden. Kids will love the adventure playground, too, so there’s something for all ages.
Up, Up and Away
Sit in the cockpit of a classic aircraft and be transported back in time. Just below Doncaster’s center is the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum. Here, the evolution of aviation comes to life. Shining aeroplanes from decades of flight fill out this vast space, initially designed to showcase the sights of Britain’s first ever airshow in 1909.
Fighter planes, rescue planes, contemporary jets and helicopters crowd the museum, and it’s great to explore for children and adults alike.
Yorkshire’s Wild Side
Lazing lions, mischievous meerkats, the brazen black rhino and the only polar bears in England – Yorkshire Wildlife Park makes for an enormously entertaining day out.
There are more than 400 animals and 70 species from all over the world, which can all be seen on a walk through the sprawling park. Fancy some refreshment? Try some South American cuisine at Caramba, or stop for a coffee at the Safari Café.
It’s fewer than 20 minutes from Doncaster city center in your rental car, so don’t miss a great day out.
Take a Hike
Right on Doncaster’s doorstep are the hiking trails of the Peak District. This is Britain’s oldest national park and is filled with walking trails for all fitness levels, and breathtaking views over steep limestone ridges and sweeping moorland plateaus.
Slightly further afield are the world-famous North Yorkshire Moors. These windswept, heather-clad hills and hollows are dotted with ruined stone cottages and isolated chapels. This is the land that inspired Emily Brontë to write her iconic novel, Wuthering Heights – and you’ll understand how.
With a rental car from Hertz, you can use Doncaster as your starting point to explore the beautiful county of South Yorkshire and the moorland beyond, as well as enjoying great road links to the rest of the UK.
Driving In and Around Doncaster
Doncaster is in the heart of South Yorkshire, and landing here puts the rest of the UK at your fingertips. If you’re traveling for business, the idyllic Yorkshire villages on the narrow country lanes around the city offer the perfect break between meetings. The city is just off the A1(M) motorway – one of the main arterial highways that runs through the UK from London to Edinburgh, both of which are within a day’s drive.
Doncaster is a large but easy town to navigate in your rental car, as the A630 and A18 loop around the city to create a beltway that grants access to every area of the center.
There are plenty of conveniently located parking lots, and those run by the council are free after 6pm every day and all day on Sundays – a full list can be found on their website. There are no right turns on a red light in the UK, and it’s illegal to use a cell phone at the wheel.
For those traveling to the United Kingdom for a vacation and who want to explore everything this historic island has to offer, the beautiful medieval city of York is less than an hour’s drive along the A1 and A64. You can reach the scenic Peak District in your Doncaster car rental by following the M16, M1 and the A628.
A-roads are main roads, and outside built-up areas the speed limit is generally 60mph – indicated by a white circular sign with a diagonal black line through it. Highways are known as motorways, where the speed limit is 70mph (again indicated by the National Speed Limit sign), and in built-up areas it’s usually 30mph.
Doncaster is connected to a number of other business hubs. The cosmopolitan city of Leeds, known for its buzzing nightlife, is an easy drive north on the A1 and M62. Get to the nearby industrial center of Sheffield in just 35 minutes by taking the M18 and A630, or reach Manchester, home to a thriving financial district and two world-class soccer teams, as well as great restaurants and shopping malls, in under two hours.
