A little further on High Street, are the Subscription Rooms, only the portico of which survives with its ionic columns, and the former Woolwich Building Society, now a Megabet Betting shop.

These buildings were in poor condition and were threatened with redevelopment in the early 1970s. but were later restored, with both buildings winning local Civic Trust Awards.

The Subscription Rooms were originally built as Betting Rooms for the gentry, in connection with the races.

The Doncaster Gazette of 25 August 1826 declared "These splendid rooms from the de­signs of, Woodhead & Hurst, are nearly finished. As a building, it will add much to the effect of the High Street, to which it presents a neat front, with columns and pilasters of the Ionic Order from the small temple on the river Ilissus, at Athens.

Ascending three steps you enter a loggia, some 25ft by 141 ft. serving as an approach to the principal room 90ft x 23ft x 20ft high. An alcove recess in the centre, decorated with antae, increases its width in that part to 27ft.

The room is lighted by two windows from the front and three large lantern lights, coved into the ceiling, which is tastefully ornamented with cornices, and panelling.

At the end of the long room are two others, connected by folding doors and a circular stone staircase. The rooms are to be elegantly furnished and the walls decorated with portraits of some of the most celebrated sporting noblemen and gentlemen, and the winners of the St. Leger horse race.

The work is done in a manner exceedingly creditable to Mr Lockwood, the builder".

Choose Your Media to Continue on the Trail

To the junction of High Street/Hall Gate

From this point, look at the buildings opposite the Subscription Rooms. On the corner of High Street and Scot Lane, you can see the Yorkshire Bank built in 1843, and directly opposite the bank is 17 High Street which was built in 1811. From here, head down the High Street towards Hall Gate. Crossing over the street at the crossing which is next to the Danum Hotel. On the way, there are several listed buildings, including 18, 19 and 20 High Street, all built in the early 1900s. The next building, 21 High Street was built in 1841 and was built as a rival to the Subscription betting Rooms.

On the right hand side, No 41 High Street was built in the late 18th century, On both sides, the left side is 22 High Street dated 18th Century and on the right, the magnificent Blue Building dated 1780 with alterations in 1925.

A number of listed buildings can also be seen on the left, No's 24 and 24B, and 25 all late 18th and early 19th century.

The Hall Gate crossing forms part of the Junction of 4 streets, Cleveland Street, Silver Street, High Street, and Hall Gate.

 

From the Junction to Cactus Jack

After crossing over the junction onto Hall Gate, head towards our next featured building which is now the Cactus Jack Restaurant.

Before 1730, Hall Gate extended from French Gate up to the top which is now where South Parade begins. To make it easier for coach traffic to pass through the town, the ditch which ran along what is now Silver Street and Cleveland Street was filled in. The ditch had a 7ft embankment on the High Street side, and was 7ft deep. The stone bridge and gate which crossed the ditch was demolished.

Passing a few memorable 20th Century buildings on the left-hand corner of Hall Gate, we approach a number of listed buildings.

On the left, are Numbers 5, 6 date from the early to mid 19th century, numbers 7 and 7 hey, date from before 1768. Building number 8, dates from 1768 and number 9, is a late 18th Century building.

Reaching the gap, which was the odeon cinema, before it was knocked down to build a car park, we can swing around and look at the buildings on the right-hand side of Hall Gate.

Almost directly opposite is 54 and 54 Hall gate, said to be dated from the early 19th century.
as are the building numbers 52 and 51. Reaching Number 50, this fine building was built before 1823. It has a green plaque dedicated to William Lockwood.

Opposite number 50, is Cactus Jack. Click the next button at the foot of the page to see more about this building.