Cottam

Tickhill Castle

Tickhill · 17 miles

Dominating the landscape of Tickhill in South Yorkshire, the ruins of Tickhill Castle reflect a series of medieval power struggles. Originally erected as the 11th-century motte-and-bailey known as Blythe Castle by Roger de Busli, the site later received a stone curtain wall after a 1102 siege and an eleven-sided keep under Henry II, completed in 1192 alongside a stone bridge and chapel. Its strategic position on the Nottinghamshire–Yorkshire border made it a focal point during the reign of King John, serving alongside Windsor Castle as a principal stronghold against potential French invasion. Throughout the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries the castle changed hands, witnessing sieges in 1194, 1321 and a brief imprisonment of Joanna of Flanders in 1343. After falling into disrepair by the mid-sixteenth century, Sir Ralph Hansby repaired the structure in the early seventeenth century. The site remained loyal to the crown during the English Civil War, surrendering in July 1644 and being deliberately razed in 1648. The later Hansby house incorporated the surviving Norman gatehouse and parts of the former hall, while the former bailey now forms part of the surrounding gardens. Today the castle is a private residence owned by the Duchy of Lancaster; the monument is opened to the public only on the second Sunday of June, between 14:00 and 16:00. Wheelchair access is not available, and no additional visitor facilities are recorded.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Auckley · 18 miles

A wildlife-focused zoo set on the former Brockholes Farm near Branton and Auckley, south-east of Doncaster, offers a mix of animal conservation, rehabilitation and visitor attractions across roughly 100 acres. The park opened to the public in April 2009 after the site was bought in 2008 and redeveloped; the ceremony was performed by television presenter Justin Fletcher, MBE. It is recognised as a member of both the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, and now houses around 500 animals representing about 100 species. Key areas include the Atlantic Forest, a South-American-themed zone opened in 2021 that displays bush dogs, maned wolves and lowland tapirs, and Lion Country, a ten-acre enclosure created in 2010 for rescued African lions. Visitors can walk through Lemur Woods to watch crowned, ring-tailed and red-bellied lemurs, or view Amur tigers from a 150-metre raised walkway in Land of the Tigers. The leopard enclosure, launched in 2012, features an eight-metre viewing tower and a long glass wall and is described as the world’s largest for the species. Project Polar, opened in 2014, provides a ten-acre habitat for six male polar bears, including deep pools. Facilities have been expanded with the Yorkshire Hive entrance, a larger car park, retail outlets, coffee shops, a restaurant added in 2022 and an on-site hotel serving guests and nearby airport travellers. Admission is charged and opening times are listed on the park’s official listing.

BAE Hawk T.1 Red Arrow

Scampton · 9.3 miles

Preserved old BAE Hawk T.1 aircraft from the Red Arrows

Roman city gate

Whitton Park · 11 miles

Roman city gate entirely buried by Norman mound, discovered in 1836 by innkeeper wishing to extend his pub. Was lithographed, collapsed in a few days and afterwards covered back up again.

King George III

Whitton Park · 11 miles

A Codestone bust of King George III that was originally a full figure located on a tower on Dunston Heath near Lincoln. It was taken down at the start of the second world war as it became a hazard to aircraft taking off from a nearby RAF base.

Ancient Church Yard Of St. Swithin's

Lincoln · 11 miles

Placed in the care of Lincoln Corporation 1956.