I live in Doncaster and have visited all seven locations many times.
1...Hooton Pagnell: My favourite place by a long way. A stunning estate village on top of the Yorkshire Magnesian Limestone Ridge which wouldn't be out of place in the Cotswolds. Mainly seventeenth and eighteenth century cottages built with the local yellow limestone, a pretty mediaeval church with a four tune carillon, a grandiose hall with a mediaeval gatehouse, there's also a Disneyesque gatehouse and high walls with Rapunzel-style turrets, yet it's a totally appropriate architectural style for the village, a flock of black sheep originally from St. Kilda...and some lovely cottage gardens and courtyards. I used to live in Thurnscoe and Hooton Pagnell is the next village and I would walk here across the fields nearly every week. The village also holds a popular summer fete every year at the beginning of July featuring stalls, craft demonstrations, hot food, and live music. Several of my blogposts feature Hooton Pagnell.
2...Sprotbrough Falls: I don't know if there were ever any natural falls or rapids on the river here, but the name now actually refers to a weir - it's quite spectacular when the River Don is in spate though; you can hear the roar and see the spray from a long way off. It's a very attractive location down in the Don Gorge - there's the river, a short stretch of canal and a lock, a lovely country pub, an island in the middle of the river, and a fish ladder...as well as some delightful walks along the river or up through the woods to the wildflower meadows. In the higher part of the village there's the church, a bistro, and some tearooms. For anyone with an interest in literature, the novel Ivanhoe was written by Sir Walter Scott in the village.
3...Hickleton: Another pretty estate village on the limestone ridge, somewhat spoiled by the main trunk road passing through. A great place to start a walk though. Have a look at the skulls inside the lychgate as you enter the churchyard.
4...Tickhill Butter Cross: Located in the centre of this small attractive market town. Personally though the highlight of Tickhill for me is the millpond and the adjacent castle, which unfortunately is private property and is only open to the public on one day a year - and I still haven't managed to visit. The parish church is large and impressive and well worth a visit.
5...Cusworth Hall: A local museum with free entry, although you do have to pay for parking. A lovely parkland setting on top of hill, with formal gardens and fishing ponds. There are public toilets here and some lovely tearooms.
6...Roche Abbey: Actually just over the boundary in Rotherham. Substantial ruins in a peaceful sheltered limestone valley. The nearby village of Stone is very pretty.
7...Brodsworth Hall: A grand country house with extensive formal gardens. Owned by English Heritage and so there's an admission charge.
There are some other places that I would consider including in the list:
Bawtry: A small pleasant market town with historical connections to the Pilgrim Fathers.
Conisbrough Castle: Everyone's idealised romantic image of a ruined castle on top of a hill.
Walker's Garden Centre and Show Gardens: Well maintained formal show gardens, a large pond filled with koi carp, and a restaurant.
Denaby Ings Nature Reserve: Be careful of the doggers...or maybe you might want to join them!
Howell Wood Country Park: Woodland in rolling countryside.
Thorne Moors: Like nowhere else in England - on a hot sunny day you might think you're on the savannah in Africa.
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