Highfields, South Yorkshire

{{Short description|Village in South Yorkshire, England}} {{Distinguish|Highfields, Queensland}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}} {{Use British English|date=January 2025}} {{more sources|date=August 2024}} {{Infobox UK place | static_image_name = The Highwayman Roundabout, the A638 junction with the B1220 - geograph.org.uk - 299866.jpg | static_image_caption = Road junction in Highfields | country = England | coordinates = {{coord|53.555|-1.186|display=inline,title}} | official_name = Highfields | population = | population_ref = | metropolitan_borough = [[Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster|Doncaster]] | metropolitan_county = [[South Yorkshire]] | region = Yorkshire and the Humber | constituency_westminster = [[Doncaster North (UK Parliament constituency)|Doncaster North]] | post_town = Doncaster | postcode_district = DN6 | postcode_area = DN | dial_code = 01302 | os_grid_reference = }}

'''Highfields''' is a former [[coal mining]] village, located south of the [[model village]] of [[Woodlands, South Yorkshire|Woodlands]], in [[South Yorkshire]]. [[Historic counties of England|Historically]] part of the [[West Riding of Yorkshire]], it is part of the [[City of Doncaster]]. The village is located in the [[Adwick le Street & Carcroft (ward)|Adwick le Street & Carcroft]] ward of Doncaster MBC.

Although it does not currently have an air of prosperity, Highfields was built so that most houses either overlooked farmland or woodland, the ornamental [[Highfields Lake]], or the greens in the centre of the village. Like its neighbour, [[Woodlands, South Yorkshire|Woodlands]], Highfields lies between the historic [[Great North Road (United Kingdom)|Great North Road]] and the [[Roman road]].{{cn|date=August 2024}}

The [[Roman road]] is a branch of [[Ermine Street]], branching off near [[Lincoln, Lincolnshire|Lincoln]] and rejoining near [[York]]. Although a separate branch, it is also known as [[Ermine Street]]. Locally, this stretch of the road is known as the [[Roman Ridge]], although it is more colloquially known as the Roman Rigg.

Hanging Wood, located between Highfields and Woodlands, was one of the 'hold up' spots used by the 17th century highwayman [[William Nevison]] (also known as Swift Nick or Black Bob).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/hanging-wood/|title=Hanging Wood|publisher=[[The Woodland Trust]]|access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref>

Half a mile south-east are the surviving earthworks, much overgrown, of [[Hangthwaite|Hangthwaite Castle]], a medieval [[motte-and-bailey]] castle.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1013654|desc=Castle Hills motte and bailey castle, Langthwaite, Adwick le Street|accessdate=19 October 2017}}</ref>

As of 2014, the village had a population of 1,375.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dmbcwebstolive01.blob.core.windows.net/media/Tenant2/Documents/Highfields_tcm33-109749.pdf |title=Team Doncaster: Highfields Community Profile 2014 |author=[[Team Doncaster]] |publisher=teamdoncaster.org.uk |access-date=26 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.teamdoncaster.org.uk/community-profiles-2014 |title=Team Doncaster: Community Profiles 2014 |author=[[Team Doncaster]] |publisher=teamdoncaster.org.uk |access-date=26 January 2025}}</ref> For the 2021 census, its population count was combined with [[Adwick le Street]] and [[Woodlands, South Yorkshire|Woodlands]], the latter of which had a confirmed population of 7,100 later in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://censusdata.uk/e02001547-adwick-le-street--woodlands |title=2021 UK Census: Adwick le Street & Woodlands Middle layer Super Output Area |author=Census Data UK |publisher=censusdata.uk |access-date=26 January 2025}}</ref>

==Notable residents== [[David Pegg]] (1935 - 1958) one of the [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] footballers who died in the [[Munich air disaster]], was born in Highfields<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/people/memorial-service-for-doncaster-munich-air-disaster-victim-david-pegg-offered-to-manchester-united-museum-4034138|title=Memorial service for Doncaster Munich Air Disaster victim David Pegg offered to Manchester United museum|author=Darren Burke|date=20 February 2023|access-date=3 August 2024}}</ref>

==References== <references/>

==External links== {{Commons category-inline|Highfields, South Yorkshire}}

[[Category:Villages in Doncaster]] [[Category:Adwick le Street]]