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Uncovering Doncaster’s Hidden Gem Pubs and Ales
This blog takes you on a fun tour of pubs and breweries around Doncaster and North Lincolnshire, showcasing the local drinking scene. It kicks off at Don Valley Brewery Tap, famous for its sleek brewing setup and awesome beer choices. It then dives into spots like The Leopard and The Little Plough, sharing their interesting backstories, cool architecture, and lively vibes. I taste a bunch of local ales, highlighting how much the community values quality craft beer. The adventure wraps up at Goole’s Tom Pudding micropub, which paints a picture of a cosy, welcoming atmosphere among the patrons.
Check out the “Donny Dozen Ale Trail” online – CLICK HERE
Don Valley Brewery Tap
I hopped on a train from Doncaster to Crowle and had pre-booked a “justgo” bus. It’s a fantastic service in North Lincolnshire that lets you book a ride when there’s no regular bus route. The fare from Crowle Railway Station to Sandtoft was just £2.50 each way. Check out their website for more info.
While I was there, I checked out Don Valley Brewery. They kicked things off in 2013 in Cadeby, near Mexborough, fuelled by a love for great music and quality beer, which still drives their vibe today. In 2018, they moved to Sandtoft, taking over a vacant spot at their parent company, Liberty Group, which has been around since 1982. This move allowed them to build a brand-new brewery with all the modern amenities.
Besides their brewery tap, they also own several pubs, including “The Cadeby Inn” in Cadeby, “Coach & Horses” in Barnburgh, “The Blind Monkey” in Sheffield, “The Plough Inn” in Snaith, and “Don Valley Tap” in Doncaster, which I visited later on.
It was awesome to meet Cody at the tap today. The taproom is bright and airy, looking fantastic with plenty of seating, including an outdoor area. They currently serve food on Fridays, with plans to expand that to all open hours.
The bar boasts an impressive lineup of 7 cask ales and a wide variety of keg beers. I tried three of their cask options, starting with “Session,” a delicious pale session ale, then moved on to “Parklife,” a juicy and hazy New England IPA packed with flavour. I wrapped up with “Isn’t Life Joyous!”, an Extra Special Bitter that was bursting with taste.
Doncaster
The Leopard
Back in Doncaster, my first stop was The Leopard, just a short stroll from the Railway Station. This place, once owned by Alfred M Eadon & Co. Ltd., has seen quite a few changes over the years, including a striking renovation with a beautiful faience facade done by Warwicks & Richardsons Ltd from Newark. This architectural feature really highlights the pub’s long history and its significance in the local area.
Over the years, it has hosted performances from popular bands and artists, making it a staple in the local music scene. These days, it still features live music, comedy shows, and even movie screenings. Inside, the pub is divided into two rooms, both with bar access, plus a large outdoor space that’s perfect for enjoying the sun. I was greeted with a warm welcome when I walked in today.
The bar had an impressive selection of five cask ales, showcasing local breweries, along with a variety of ciders and keg beers. I decided to try “Orange-Utan” from the Sheffield-based Little Critters Brewing Company. It’s a delicious chocolate orange stout that’s bursting with flavour and super easy to drink.
The Little Plough
A quick stroll takes me to The Little Plough, known for its charming interior that perfectly captures the vibe of the 1930s. It got a makeover in 1934, thanks to the Grimsby brewers, Hewitt Brothers Ltd., who made a name for themselves in the local brewing scene after taking over the Exchange Brewery back in 1881. The branding still shows outside. The place has a public bar up front and a cosy lounge in the back, linked by a side corridor and a little outdoor space.
Inside, you’ll find beautiful leaded glass, vintage wall coverings, and fixed seating with bell-pushes in the lounge. The bar counter features that classic horizontal banding typical of Art Deco style. It was super busy when I visited, so I didn’t snap many photos, but the warm welcome made up for it.
On the bar, there were four cask ales, all from local breweries. I chose the “Happy New Year 2025” from Pennine Brewing Co. in North Yorkshire. It was a tasty, light, and refreshing pale ale. If you stop by, don’t miss the shelf of bottles above the bar; there are some really unique and interesting ones up there.
Don Valley Tap
Strolling through the outdoor market leads you to the Doncaster Wool Market, a spot with a fascinating history that goes back to the mid-1800s, officially opening its doors in 1863. Originally built as a dedicated wool trading hub, it highlights how crucial wool was to the local economy back then. After some recent updates, like new doors and windows that modernize the space while keeping its historical charm, it now features a variety of food and drink spots, earning the title of “Doncaster’s social culinary adventure.”
Inside, you’ll find Don Valley Tap, which is split into two areas: “Tap 1” at the front and “Tap 2” at the back. Tap 1 is all about real ales, while Tap 2 serves up keg beers and a selection of bottled Belgian brews. Together, they offer an impressive range of over 15 craft beers, including six unique cask ales from their own brewery. Plus, there’s a wide array of wines, gins, whiskies, and rums to choose from. The venue is perfect for not just grabbing a drink but also for hanging out and enjoying live music events that often happen inside.
Today, I went for a cask beer called “All Your Love.” It’s a delicious American Pale Ale brewed with Liberty, Chinook, and Eureka hops, giving it some fantastic flavours.
Marketplace Alehouse
Next on the list was Marketplace Alehouse. This awesome Micropub first opened its doors in December 2013, initially serving as a bottle shop and deli before shifting its focus to a more drink-friendly vibe. It’s all about creating a cosy space that highlights quality ales and brings the community together, and it definitely delivers on that front. In Spring 2023, it changed hands, and I had a great time chatting with Stuart and Sue tonight.
Inside, the vibe is super calm and relaxing. The wooden floors add a nice touch, giving the place a warm, rustic feel. The décor is simple but welcoming, with shelves stocked with books and other knick-knacks that make it feel homey and provide some reading material for those enjoying a drink. There’s also a spacious outdoor seating area that looks out over the marketplace.
At the bar, you can choose from four cask ales along with several keg options. I decided to try the “Dronny Bottom Bitter” from Drone Valley Brewery, which is known as the UK’s only independent community-owned brewery based in Dronfield. It’s a delicious, flavourful English Bitter that really hit the spot.
The Masons Arms
The Masons Arms is right next door, and it’s got a fascinating history that goes all the way back to 1851. Over the years, it’s seen quite a few changes, and in the early 1930s, it was taken over by Joshua Tetley & Son Ltd, earning the title of a “Tetley Heritage Inn.” As soon as you step inside, you can feel the Victorian vibe with its historical décor, featuring classic elements like boarded ceilings and cosy bench seating. In 2014, this pub was even selected by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to host some royal guests during the Tour de France’s Grand Depart in Yorkshire.
You can enjoy some outdoor seating at the front, which overlooks the marketplace, and there’s also a nice area at the back, surrounded by newer spots like the Rum Rooms Cocktail Bar and No.7 Fusion Restaurant.
At the bar, you’ll find a solid selection of four cask ales, plus some keg options. I decided to try “Mean Old Scene” from Nightjar Brew Co., based in Mytholmroyd. It’s a rich, smooth Porter that’s perfect for autumn, and I really loved it.
Queen (Crafthouse and Cantina)
Next up is the Queen (Crafthouse and Cantina), a cosy corner pub that has been around since 1923, originally built by John Smith’s Brewery to serve racegoers. It’s conveniently located next to Doncaster Marketplace and right across from the Cornmarket. The pub really stands out on the corner, and as soon as you step inside, you’re greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere. There’s a nice variety of tables and seating options throughout, plus some cool artwork and paintings that give it a unique vibe.
The bar boasts an impressive drink selection, featuring four cask ales along with a wide range of keg beers. I decided to try a tasty pale ale from the Three Blind Mice Brewery in Cambridgeshire. The “Lonely Snake” was brewed with Mosaic and Simcoe hops, and it was a fantastic choice—super hazy and juicy. I really loved it!
Hallcross
A quick stroll takes me to Hallcross, a pub steeped in brewing history. It used to be the site of Cooplands Bakery (Doncaster) Ltd until they moved out in the late ’70s. In December 1981, Cooplands Bakery teamed up with Michael Jenkinson to kick off Stocks Brewery right here, marking the beginning of Hallcross as a brewing hotspot where beer flowed freely.
Back in its early days, specifically in 1983, Stocks Brewery was cranking out about 25 barrels of beer each week just for the Hallcross pub. The brewery quickly made a name for itself and started picking up more pubs, with the Turnpike in Market Place, Bawtry being their second acquisition in 1986. One of their standout brews from that era was “Old Horizontal.”
The pub changed hands in 1996, leading to the brewery’s closure, but it adapted by offering “Stocks” beers brewed by Welbeck Abbey Brewery. Nowadays, Hallcross is a lively music venue that regularly hosts live acts. At the bar, you can choose from 6 cask ales and some keg options, with 3 of the cask beers proudly branded as “Stocks.” I decided to try “St Leger Gold,” a tasty blonde ale that pays homage to Doncaster Racing.
The Draughtsman Alehouse
Even though it was closed today, I couldn’t help but mention The Draughtsman Alehouse, a place I’ve been to many times before. This opened on 26th April 2017 on Platform 3b, and it took over the old Victorian Buffet Bar, which had been empty for 18 years. The name “Draughtsman” pays tribute to Russ Thompson’s late dad, Barry Melvin Godfrey Thompson, who was a draughtsman for train engines at Doncaster station before he sadly passed away in 1978. This family tie to railway history is a big part of what makes the pub special. Inside, you’ll find memorabilia linked to his father’s work, along with touches that highlight the area’s rich history.
They have an awesome selection of cask and keg beers, plus a fridge full of cans and bottles, along with a good mix of spirits most of which are locally sourced, soft drinks, and hot drinks. You can also find some delicious pork pies from local producers.
The inside has a really high ceiling, and those Victorian wall tiles add a lot to the place’s character. You’ll also find cool illustrations of steam trains on the walls. The design features cosy leatherette seating, tall tables with stools, and big windows that let in plenty of natural light, highlighting the stunning ceramic tiles on the walls. It’s a perfect, cosy spot to grab a drink while you wait for your next train, so don’t miss out on it.
Doncaster Brewery & Tap
Another spot that closed today, but one I’ve been to a bunch of times and just have to mention, is Doncaster Brewery Tap. Ian Blaylock started Doncaster Brewery back in January 2012 after switching gears from running a garage to following his brewing dreams. Originally set up in an industrial area at Coopers Mill Business Park, the brewery made its way to its current spot in the centre of Doncaster in 2014.
The taproom kicked off in September 2014, offering a variety of their own brews along with some guest options. In 2022, they expanded by launching the Dystopia Bar on the first floor of the taproom. They’re known for hosting beer festivals and other fun events regularly.
Their beers often pay homage to local history and landmarks, with names like “Sand House Blonde” and “1194 Charter,” which really highlights Doncaster’s rich heritage and keeps that connection to the community alive.
Goole
Tom Pudding
A quick stroll from the Train Station takes me to “Tom Pudding,” a cosy micropub that used to be a newsagents before it opened in December 2017. The name comes from the old tub boats that transported coal along the Aire and Calder Navigation, which were in service from 1863 until 1985. These boats had a unique shape that reminded people of black puddings or Yorkshire puddings, giving them a memorable name.
Inside, the vibe is warm and inviting, with the bar in the back left corner. The snug seating arrangement creates a friendly atmosphere, making it easy for patrons to strike up conversations while enjoying their drinks.
This place is super popular, and I’ve always felt welcomed here during my many visits. They have an impressive selection of beers, including four cask options and several ciders. I decided to try “Nelson Pale Ale” from Rooster’s Brewing Co. in Harrogate. It’s a light, refreshing pale ale brewed with Nelson Sauvin hops, and it’s absolutely delicious!
Micropub Adventures 