Doncaster - Park, Minster & Fort

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery around Doncaster Park, Minster and Fort, with Detectives helping Chief Inspector Donnie Caster solve the suspicious death of stable hand Winnie Trotter, who is thought to have been working for local criminals, by following the clues around Doncaster.

The investigation covers approximately 2.2 miles and should take around 2.5+ hours to complete. You'll begin at the Tourist Information Centre on the corner of High Street and Priory Place, then follow the evidence through Doncaster city centre, including High Street, Priory Walk, Waterdale, Hall Gate, Silver Street, Sunny Bar and the market area, before heading around the Minster and Roman Fort area.

This Trail is suitable for wheelchair and pushchair users. The route follows pavements and footpaths throughout, sticking to pedestrian streets and some wide pavements, with lowered kerbs available and a ramp alternative to the one set of three steps.

Cross roads cautiously at several points, including a main road and a dual carriageway. The route also passes ongoing works near CAST, so you may need to detour round them while keeping the case on track.

Getting There

By car: Start your investigation at the Tourist Information Centre on the corner of High Street and Priory Place (DN1 1BN). Chief Inspector Donnie Caster suggests leaving your squad car at Waterdale Shopping Centre (DN1 3BU) or Civic Quarter (DN1 3JH).

By public transport: Make your way to the Tourist Information Centre on the corner of High Street and Priory Place to begin the investigation. When the case is closed, Priory Place opposite will lead you back to the Tourist Information Centre.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets are available in Frenchgate Shopping Centre before you start, or as you pass it after Clue 19. Other toilets can be found near Clue 14, with facilities also available towards the end and in the main shopping centres.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives can join this dog friendly trail - please bring a lead though. 🐾

The route follows pavements, footpaths and pedestrian streets, with several road crossings including a main road and a dual carriageway. Keep canine colleagues close around traffic, busier town-centre stretches and any detours near the ongoing works by CAST.

Food & Drink Stops

Crime-solving is hungry work, so stock up on snacks before you start or use the variety of refreshment stops before Clue 04 or after Clue 11.

There are plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants near the start, middle and end of this Trail, giving your detective squad several chances to pause, compare theories and refuel.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Doncaster City Centre and Market Area

The investigation takes you through Doncaster city centre, including High Street, Priory Walk, Waterdale, Hall Gate, Silver Street, Sunny Bar and the market area. Once the clues are cracked, slow things down and enjoy the pedestrian streets and pavements without treating every town-centre detail as evidence.

Doncaster Museum and Gallery

The route keeps Doncaster Museum and Gallery on your right as you join Chequer Road, making it an easy extra stop for Detectives who want to add a little more local interest to the day once the case has stopped demanding everyone's full attention.

Doncaster Minster and the Roman Fort Area

The Trail heads around the Minster and on to the area around the Roman Fort, with information boards for both mentioned along the way. It is a strong final-history flourish for investigators who like their mysteries with ancient evidence attached.

CAST Theatre Area

The Trail reaches the open area outside CAST theatre and the area in front of it. Keep an eye out for the ongoing works here, as you may have to detour round them, but it is still a useful landmark as the investigation moves through this part of Doncaster.