The £5,000 Houses And Boarded Up Streets Of Doncaster 

hi wandering turnip, i just want to give you a bit of history to some of those buildings you pointed out in this video , lets begin with friday , saturday, and sunday nights are heaving with drinkers and clubbers also student nights get busy because of cheap drinks .The pub on the corner was once very busy with bus drivers having finished their shifts called for a swift pint before going home [ their cash office and canteen was nearby ].The red brick building was a swimming pool that had a retractable floor for dancing it also held concerts there , the most famous being the Beatles who also performed at the Gaumont cinema at another date .The grey building almost next door was the law courts ,Adrian Welch is the most popular glazer /boarder upper in the city .The horse race you refer to is the ST LEGER not the Doncaster cup , The big building down in the market place is the corn exchange which is currently under renovation and will reopen ,we are losing shops because rates are too high so they are going to out of town outlets , Edlington was at one time a decent place but always had rough areas as do most places that particular street is quite bad for drugs , fights and yes the occasional shooting ,but a lot of ex pit villages are the same you will also find pit wheels all over the area such as HATFIELD ,WOODLANDS , CARCROFT,and ASKERN its a part of history that needs to be preserved ,like ROTHERHAMand SHEFFIELD for their steel industry , sorry for twittering on but i thought id give you a bit of DONCASTERS history .

I proudly completed an engineering apprenticeship in a car factory in 77-81, I got made redundant! I moved into light engineering, redundant again. I retrained as a nurse, my hospital closed. I moved cities (got on my bike, remember Norman Tebbit’s advice?) I’m just about ready to retire thank God. I’d need a degree for any of those jobs now if I was starting out again, which would plunge in into huge debt. I’ve worked 46 years solid, I’ve paid my taxes. I’ve done as my betters have asked of me and my reward? My pension has been watered down, my pay (in nursing) has always been poor & I still have a mortgage to pay off. Are you young and ambitious? Emigrate before you get bitter living in a doghouse like Doncaster.

When so many people are homeless or overcrowded, seeing homes get into this state is heartbreaking and infuriating.

The only people that should be buying up these streets is the local council. Proper economy of scale to rip these out and bring them back to life as affordable housing. They should also be training people to do the work and make some inroads into the skills shortage we're suffering from right now. There has to be some joined up, long-term thinking here instead of dealing with all of these problems in isolation or leaving it to private developers to turn these over for a profit. The Tories destroyed these places without a care for the people in them. It's caused multi-generational poverty and deprivation. It needs local councils and politicians of all stripes to step up with some feckin big vision for the country instead of all this crap about identify politics and small boats as a distraction from the real problems people face.

Adrian Welch must be exhausted from smashing windows at night, boarding them up by day, and carrying that heavy wallet around town :D

It seems that one of the massive problems with those terrace houses is that you can make yours as nice as you can but if the next door house is derelict and someone torches it then your house goes up in flames too. Why would anyone try and improve their own house with that sort of risk?

I live in a town in Greater Manchester called Ashton-under -lyne. It was once a thriving market town with a nationally famous market, people used to come from all over the north to see the market. The town 10-15 years ago was pretty much dead though, boarded up shops,, all the big brands left and was replaced by betting shops and poundlands, the people were more and more likely to be unemployed or on drugs..... But then its been getting a lot of funding to turn the town around, and now I can feel its on the rise again, I hear different accents like London etc and its clear that people are now choosing to live here and commute to Manchester on the recently built tram line, instead of the more expensive options like Didsbury. So its an example of what can be achieved if you give a dying town funding.

The high street in my home town of Hitchin (Hertfordshire) was dying a typical death about 10 years ago. There were loads of dodgy phone fixing shops, pop-up seasonal shops that would close down after a month or two, and it was just a sad sight. But then, over a period of a few years, somehow Hitchin town centre started to thrive again. Lots of independent cafés, restaurants and bars cropped up, dotted in between regular chain shops and other independent shops selling bits and bobs. The weekly market always stayed strong, and now with these new and interesting food and drink spots to rest and recoup at, the town began a new life. I have since moved away due to high house prices in the area, but I think Hitchin did it right. The town centre adapted to what people want; it became a place for old and young generations to enjoy, rather than being a central place to get your shopping or buying clothes it became a place for hanging out with friends, meeting up with family and taking your children. I hope other towns can follow suit!

Like a lot of other commenters, I also grew up in Donny. To see it in that state, breaks my heart. I moved a long time a go, always said I'd never go back to live there, but still. The pool I learnt to swim in, boarded up. The library I used to borrow records from, same. Pubs I know and shops I used to go in with my Nan... also gone the same way. Just makes me sad.

Nothing like a quick poverty tour to make me feel positive about my life.

One of the best channels around. Showing how things are in ex mining towns.

I remember when they were selling houses like this for £1. The conditions were you couldn't sell it for at least a number of years(5 I think?) and had to spend money doing it up. Doesn't look like it worked. If I had any money and the ability to work remotely I'd buy 3 and live in the middle house. Would be bliss. Couldn't care less what people say about the area.

OMW, that upset me. I used to go to Doncaster regularly to spend time with a friend who died at the beginning of covid. We'd go into town, have fish and chips and go shopping. I've not been back to Donny in three years and I'm so shocked to see all the boarded up buildings. The massive building is the Corn Exchange, it's Grade 2 listed. Just Googled - apparently closed last year for refurbishment!! I think we all know what that usually means. The thing with buying a derelict property in Donny is do a flood check before you buy. There's areas where homes regularly flood so they may not be quite the bargain you think it is. 🙂

If they gave this house away for nothing it would still cost more than it's worth to do the house up and put it right... If the Investment landlords don't want to buy it that tells everybody very clearly that it will cost more to do it up than What It's Worth

Wow. That moss and mould! I've never seen a house in that state before. I can't help but feel for the people in these towns, abandoned by their government, left to rot. Such a same.

If there's no need/demand from people to use towns for shopping/socialising anymore why don't the powers in charge force them to be refurbed into housing instead of wasting money destroying the countryside building new homes.

absolutely NO sign of this going on where we are (in Sweden).. not a single shop anywhere boarded up, even houses that were abandoned since the 1980's in the countryside are now snapped up and being renovated..

UK: Massive homeless population, also UK: loads of empty houses.

Tell you what, I have binged your entire back catalogue of films! To echo the rest of the comments section, you have a great way of presenting these homes through a non-classist lens which is so refreshing. I appreciate the amount of research you put in and can’t wait to see what else you do! Thanks for the content 😊

I drove within a couple of miles of Edlington yesterday, and the daft thing is there are vast new housing developments being built on greenfield sites in the immediate area and yet there are these houses available for peanuts.

Looking forward to your 'Death of the High Street' series

As an expat Brit,native of Doncaster,living in Denmark for the last 54 years I was totally shocked to see this video.I did my first teaching practise in Edlington - can't understand how people can let things go to such an extent.I'm actually from Armthorpe on the other side of town from Edlington.The pit was closed here too in the 80s,but Armthorpe is ok.Perhaps because of its history as a farming village.

I grew up in Doncaster, it's such a shame to see the state it's in, the decline in the high streets like many in the country is compounded by high business rates, poor accessibility and large out of town retail parks, this i think is especially true for Doncaster, but this was made even worse when the new interchange was built with immediate access to the frenchgate centre, the resulting closure of businesses in the parts of the town away from the interchange seems to have been devastating, but not surprising, your film shows this really well, it used to be such a lovely lively atmosphere around town, but like many seems to have had it's soul torn out.

Doncaster is like so many cities in the NE. Some beautiful buildings, such rich history but all boarded up

I was born and raised in Doncaster, (Fort on the river Don) but now live elsewhere. One must appreciate the town of Doncaster how it grew up from the Roman era. Where you stood on high street was the roman road that went to the river Don where a massive fort was built, (where the Colonades shopping center was in the vid) DANUM, as it was called then, and the road crossed here to go north. It was called The Great North Road. Doncaster was a massive trading centre for many centuries, but now looks like its going downhill fast. There was also a fort in Edlington woods, where you was looking at another property. I enjoyed your vid, thanks for the upload

This video is such a shock, I haven’t been to Doncaster for a few years. It used to be such a fabulous place in the 1980s and early 90s, like many places it’s suffered since the pits closed. Thank you for posting, but I think it unlikely that I’ll return any time soon.

My heart goes out to the people of donny I would never of imagined things had got so bad it makes me feel very grateful for my little high street that’s thriving right now it also hits home what the cost of living is doing to the working class

Very well-balanced and interesting content on your channel, Mate - each upload brings something different; hope you go from strength to strength ✅

Doncaster, located in South Yorkshire, England, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. Here is a brief overview of its historical background: Roman Era: Doncaster, known as Danum in Roman times, was an important settlement in the region. It served as a strategic crossing point on the River Don and was a significant Roman military and administrative center. Medieval Period: Doncaster's importance continued into the medieval period. It received its first charter in 1194, granting it various privileges, including the right to hold markets. The town's strategic location on trade routes contributed to its growth and prosperity. Norman Conquest and Castles: Following the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Doncaster came under Norman rule. The construction of Doncaster Castle began in the 12th century, which served as a fortification to protect the town. Another castle, Conisbrough Castle, located near Doncaster, was also built during this period. Trading and Markets: Doncaster thrived as a market town throughout its history. It became a bustling center for trade and commerce, attracting merchants and traders from the surrounding areas. The livestock market, established in the 16th century, became particularly renowned. Industrial Revolution: The arrival of the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century brought significant changes to Doncaster. The town experienced industrial growth, particularly in coal mining, railway construction, engineering, and manufacturing. The development of the railways, with Doncaster as an important railway hub, further boosted the town's economic significance. Doncaster Racecourse: The famous Doncaster Racecourse has a long history, with the first recorded race taking place in 1614. It has since become one of the oldest and most prestigious horse racing venues in the UK, hosting events such as the St. Leger Stakes, one of the country's classic races. World War II: During World War II, Doncaster played a role in the war effort. The town's industries contributed to the war production, and its airfield, Doncaster Sheffield Airport (formerly RAF Finningley), was used by the Royal Air Force. Today, Doncaster continues to be an important center in South Yorkshire, with a mix of industries, including manufacturing, logistics, and services. Its rich history is celebrated through various heritage sites, such as the Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery and the aforementioned Conisbrough Castle, attracting visitors interested in its historical significance.

👋 Found your channel by accident. Your attention to detail and storytelling abilities are truly top-notch. Thank you for sharing your adventures . Keep up the fantastic work, and I look forward to seeing future videos.

My husband and I are enjoying watching your channel! I am from Brazil and we don't find houses for such prices in crazy conditions! Keep going with your work! :)

Good video. Im from Doncaster and moved away in 2009. The decline of the town centre in recent years has been unreal. Areas specifically such as the Armdale Shopping Centre, where barely any of the buildings save for a pub, The Staff Of Life appear to be functional. One of the boarded up buildings adjacent to that which you featured near to the city courthouse and renovated council buildings used to be a swimming baths. There are some breathtaking places here though too, especially the Trans Pennine Trail linking you through to Conisbrough and Cusworth Hall.

Those boarded up houses might be cheap to buy but would you want to live there if people are growing and selling weed in that area. I’m not saying it’s unsafe to live there, but usually where there’s drugs there’s crime. As for that house which had mould and damp everywhere, and was used to grow weed inside, you’d have to spend tens of thousands on that property to make it liveable and remove the organisms deep inside the walls so it’s no longer a health hazard. More headache then it’s worth.

The worst thing about converting a home to a grow house is that it will be targeted for burglaries going forwards by scumbags looking to steal weed and ready to fight for it

Doncaster is my home town, and this video made me so sad :-( I left in 1987 to go to Uni and subsequently moved down south for work. It's not often I get "back home" these days. Back in the 80s I was a member of one of the local Brass Bands, and Yorkshire Main was a well known band doing well.........until the Miners Strike and the closure of so many pits. The closure of "the Plant" didn't help either. Donny did rather lose it's heart then. Here's hoping the new "city" status helps improves things.

If the council refitted these and rented them out they would make their money back in a few years, but local authorities would rather pass it off to private landlords, developers ect via the brown envelope under the table, really sad state of affairs, really enjoying your videos!

The thing is it is great thinking the housing crisis can be solved but who will buy them and do them up if they cannot make a profit? With the new EPC rules coming into force landlords are already looking to sell old stock that will cost a tonne to bring up to standard and with more rent reform on the way there will be even less. I would be interested to see how the rules apply to housing associations though and whether they need to do the same? Are there any not for profit loopholes that could be used to bring properties back to use? I did wonder whether a rent to buy could work - if the council helped a housing association with compulsory purchase orders, the houses get done up and then residents get to pay rent for the value the house took to renovate it rather than the supposed market value and when rent is paid up to that value the ownership is transferred. I bet they would be looked after better if they knew it would be their home in the end. And high streets are dying all over - my home town of Gloucester is a prime example. Money was spent upgrading the docks area but the centre is struggling - all hairdressers, vape shops, charity shops or empty.

It's just mad that we are short of housing and even using green areas to build on for the first time ever when this is going on.

Oh wow, I can not believe the state of the mouldy house. Never seen anything like it ever😮

The first house looks like an amazing fix and flip opportunity just the rewarding aspect of refurbing and bringing life back to it after it’s had such an interesting former use case. I don’t reckon a survey would find any very serious issues but that survey would be interesting . Would look incredible being put back to use for a family with a decent kitchen and bathroom plan, even potential for loft and basement conversions. What a beauty. I don’t know about holding it long term but just putting your finger on it and turning it into gold for someone else would be a delight.

It's shocking seeing all them shops border up keep these great videos

I grew up in Edlington and had an amazing childhood! It was a great community back then. I don't remember why it started to go bad but it happened to the street I grew up on and eventually the street/streets were torn down. Such a shame 😢

i live just 3 mile outside Donny town centre . not been to town for about 5 years what a shock to see it all boarded up ! , all the surrounding villages were built on coal same as Barnsley , Sheffield and Rotherham were steel works !

You were standing in front of a Travelodge talking about the quaint place you spent the night....I hope it wasn't the Travelodge! 😂

Late eighties I used to go to a skate shop in Doncaster called Round Ocean. The town centre was doing alright but as you say, the loss of numerous heavy industries had an adverse effect on many northern counties. Any growth or decline is directly linked to whichever political party is in power. Labour creates opportunities and the Tories let these areas rot. Right now, after over a decade of Tory rule, crime and dereliction is yet again destroying people's lives.

Great video. Always wanted to know about what's inside those low priced houses. Watching this video made me so happy and grateful I live in Exeter UK, which is thriving. People do guided tours outside my home in Exeter, as it's an old building with a lot of history.

Im a handyman so i love knackerd properties, almost everything can be fixed, , im glad i found this channel.👍

Well done for highlighting this criminal lack of investment. I grew up in Doncaster and whilst it was always a little rough, it never looked as bad as that. The library is now closed and empty. The redbrick building was the swimming pool and all those derelict houses. How can a G7 country justify that when so many people are homeless. There was a row of houses next to my school that was boarded up and then demolished due to subsidence. But never anything as bad as what you have shown.

These videos are excellent. I can’t believe how these places have been abandoned and forgotten. Once hustling and bustling. Interesting to see the death of some of these towns.

It's amazing the price of the houses, I remember back in late 80's, in Langworthy, salford selling terraced houses for a fiver. Good vid David👍

Thanks for sharing! Very interesting content. Just subscribed 👍🏾

Being from Doncaster I'm so shocked as to how bad the town centre has become. I haven't been to the centre for quite some time now (maybe 10 years) and no longer living in the area. It's totally surprised how bad it's got from what was once a bustling town centre. As said before by someone else, Doncaster did (and hopefully still does) have a great night life.

Edlingtin is a village within the city/town of Doncaster, the whole of Doncaster is an old mining town

That house with stuff growing in it could be used for a filming location for The Last of Us. You're right that it's very interesting to check out these cheap properties. I think you've found a great niche and are presenting it well, subscribed and excited to see more.

The house with a guide price of £5,000 sold for £64,000 and the house with a guide price of £10,000 sold for £54,000

Greenock a town in West Scotland is currently facing a huge amount of decline, with house prices dropping, boarded up properties spreading over the streets and unemployment rising. I heard that the town's population is currently the fastest decreasing in the UK. It's really sad to see, as the town was so beautiful.

Such a quaint family run hotel lol.Its seems crazy with the shortage of homes we still see streets like that in the UK (I understand areas suffer for different reasons)Great video as ever

Mate, I love your videos. Unique, interesting, different. Fascinating.

I haven't been to Doncaster in 25 years. If you hadn't said where you was, I'd have no idea. Wow!

I've read a few year ago that doncaster has the highest number of loan shops or uc shops in the whole uk, not sure if I remembered correctly. a friend bought a massive mansion there for 500k pre covid

Seeing you go into a house on one of the streets I grew up on hit pretty hard. Thanks for raising awareness. It's so sad to see places allowed to fall into this state.

Yep Donny's looking bad right now. I'd say one of the particular losses of Mining Towns and Doncaster was also about Railway Manufacturing too ... is (unfashionably) an educated middle-class who scattered to the four winds when the industries shut down. The Engineers etc. were often imported to pits from Wales, Scotland, Northumberland etc. just like the miners themselves. I think one of the overlooked aspects of the diversity of a successful town is this stalwart bunch of people who would keep decent pubs going, and a lot of the culture + of course some 'polite-society'. The council don't know this but they are as brutalised as the general citizenry in their own way. Pretty dumbed down to say the least, inexperienced and isolationist and defensive, try to do ANYTHING here and you're slapped down. I live in Doncaster.

Fantastic video as always. Such a North / South divide, the houses that fall unkempt are usually poor OAP's or rentals where the landlord wants the tenants out, but then a builder or developer gets it improves it to sell on. Admittedly the high street Banks are vanishing and the larger stores are selling up to move to cheaper trading estates, some smaller shops are closed but that's because it is such a gamble to open a new shop with little help from the government or council, but some independent traders are still opening new businesses occasionally.

Wallpaper topical to the use of the house! That's hilarious 😆

Lots of pubs and bookies in Donny lol And personally I'd say Hexthorpe village is probably more dangerous than Edlo

Great video David, Doncaster looks defeated, stay safe buddy

Great video mate!

I live about 4 miles away from there and don't think I'd buy anything around Princes Crescent in Edlington, they might be cheap but it's finding someone that wants to live there once you've done it up, and that's if they don't rob everything that you've put in there, but move away from those streets and it's not that bad, some newer houses where the pit was and even newer ones on the back road into Doni. Save your money and buy that one with the weed.

The building at 08:01 is St James' Swimming baths. I used to go there as a kid, but it has been closed a long time now. There's a few urban explorer videos on YT about it.

I have never seen a grow house. Could be a lovely house with a huge makeover. But I enjoyed seeing it also. You have great video s.

Very very interesting video.....have watched quite a few of your videos...shocking the price of London flats that are in a terrible dirty condition ...keep making more videos ❤🤗

If we had a government that gave any kind of a **** about homelessness and deprivation I would advocate compulsory purchase of all the boarded up houses so they can be renovated and repurposed as low cost/social housing. I think if people were offered somewhere decent to live and the community in general could see that there was improvement rather than hopelessness then you would see the whole area reviving with people taking care of (and pride in) their surroundings. Every boarded up house and shop is the fault of all of us.

Love your videos great channel mate .

Really interesting video, didn't realise how bad some of these areas are.

Adrian Welsh should pay you for this video lol. Hamster house was my fave, indoor waterfall and a home for lots of rodents… what more could you ask for?

Best thing you could do with those boarded up streets is just knock them down because they're worthless and will never be reinstated and it'll help improve the area.

Loving these mate, can’t wait for Death of the high street! I may have a good suggestion for you.

Good Vid ! Look forward to the "Death of the highstreet" it would be good if you interviewed some locals on that one , get some history of how it used to be etc. I suppose the nearest pub to the highstreets you pick could have your interview fodder.

I just saw the drug factory house with a guide of 5K, sold at auction for 64K! Considering the prices of renovated properties and tired properties - just in need of a little brightening up - alike in that area, I don't think they will see any money out of it soon. :/

I believe they intentionally set the house on fire before abandoning it, but it could also be an electrical fault, which is scary if you live nearby. This debunks the idea that it was raided. You can't have both.

Love your wanders. Interesting video 😂 🪴 🌱 X

That first property sold for around £64k. Add on another £8k in auction fees and extra amounts due to the seller, and your talking a shade over £72k. It needed about £20k to get it back to a good standard. Add on your legal and stamp duty, and you have to ask whether it is worth the hassle.

Ive lived in Doncaster all my life and alot off these boarded up shops in the town centre in this footage have been like it for over 10 years, well before covid, they moved the town in 2007 by extending the frenchgate centre and putting the bus station near the train station, after this that side of town died.the big older building u film in this video is the corn exchange which is getting refurbished by the council as its a listed building.

Back in my party heydays of the 80's, Doncaster was the best night out I ever had! We used to go to a place called Electric Avenue which was awesome!! The thing I remember most of all was how friendly the place used to feel, we'd almost always end up mixed in with a group of locals before the night was out...and as a group of about half a dozen lads going into somewhere as outsiders, that wasn't always the case by any stretch of the imagination!!

Very interesting video thank you for showing, 👍👍👍

There should be a compulsory monthly inspection by councils and property companies to prevent such good places from ending up like this.

Doncaster lad and it is shameful how the council have let the town decline over the last 40+ years. The council have put up a few nice buildings but a lot needs to be done, especially in the centre.

I love your video. I was going to purchase one house in that same road with boared windows .the house was on auction house last October, unfortunately it went over my budget but they keep on relisting these house in that road. thanks for the video again

Thank you for showing the high street in Doncaster. I live in Oregon, USA, so I love seeing walking about English towns. I enjoy your touring properties. I especially love seeing the towns. I didn’t think Yorkshire has slum towns like Doncaster. I thought Yorkshire was a posh/tourist area of England.

Are they going to redevelop the area? Around here, they tear down the old buildings and build hideous new “office buildings”. Then the “office buildings” sit empty for 7 years and the developers apply for planning permission to change use to residential for flats. Then they remodel a bit, sell the flats an make a million.

I reckon Adrian owes you some beers you for the free advertising ! Those properties were really interesting. My partner and I were just sitting here going " oh my God" as you were walking through the rooms and of course lots of "ewwws" at the house with "its own eco-system".

Second house could fix up . The leaks firsty and the damp . Huge garden . A house like that in london would be mimuim half a million

I went a few months ago and swear that many places weren't shut down!): I hope that it gets more popular again. The Wool Market and the stuff around there,seems really nice.

It's sad really. It's a completely different world from Dorset. There is still the north / south divide for sure.

It’s a shame. Doncaster has a lot of nice historic buildings but a lot of them are abandoned or boarded up

Mate you've got the best 'boarded up' content on RU-vid 👏

Grew up in Donny from the late 80's and town was always bustling, its shocking to see this...

I’d knock on the doors around the property and speak to the ones left to live there and see what real life is really like. Great video 😊👍

I moved from Leeds to edlington because we couldn't afford rental prices and I have to say its much nicer here! That's only one estate, the rest is lovely

Happy to show you around in Gateshead