The main population centres of the South East Area are focused around
former mining towns such as Hemsworth, South Elmsall, South Kirkby and
Crofton. These former mining towns are surrounded by a number of distinct
and unique villages separated by agricultural land or green open space. The
area has good transport links being close to the A1 and M62 motorways and
the new Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster only a short distance away.
Ackworth is the location of a famous Quaker-run school founded in 1779.
Rogerthorpe Manor, a splendid Jacobean building, which is now an exclusive
hotel, is situated in the area, as is Hemsworth Water Park, a popular water
based leisure venue. Also within Hemsworth is the Highfields estate,
otherwise known as Scots estate, so called because of the Scottish and
Durham based miners who populated the estate in 1960 and where the
Scottish dialect is still evident. The popular ringway walk is based in South
Elmsall along with Frickley Athletic Football Club, which plays in the Unibond
League.
Nostell Priory, situated in the village of Nostell between Ackworth and Crofton
and home of Lord St Oswald, provides a fine example of 18th Century
architecture and interiors by George Paine and Robert Adam and has an
outstanding, nationally important collection of Chippendale furniture.
Famous people from the area include playwright John Godber and former ITN
newsreader Leonard Parkin, both born in Upton, as well as Fitzwilliam born
cricket legend Geoff Boycott.
