New Story Trail Takes Doncaster Families on a Whistle-Stop Tour of City’s History

Doncaster families are invited to embark on a new time-travelling adventure that supports children’s reading and writing for pleasure, whilst engaging them with their city’s rich heritage.

“Don and Cassie’s Excellent Doncaster Adventure” has been created by the National Literacy Trust in Doncaster in partnership with LNER and launched on Friday 16 October.

On Friday morning, local primary school pupils from Atlas Academy were invited to get a first taste of the quest. Pupils followed the adventures of our fictional heroes, Don and Cassie, solving clues to unlock Doncaster’s history.

Story Quests are a fun, accessible way to support children’s reading and writing, making literacy relevant and engaging through a bespoke story written about Doncaster. As well as connecting children more to their city, the trail develops reading comprehension, vocabulary, creativity and storytelling skills, while building confidence and encouraging a lifelong love of reading and writing.

The interactive trail culminated at Danum Gallery, Library and Museum - home to an impressive collection of artefacts and memorabilia connected to Doncaster, including the 'Green Arrow' steam locomotive, designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and built at the city's famous works.

Phil Sheppard, Manager for National Literacy Trust in Doncaster, said: “Doncaster has a long, fascinating history, making it the perfect setting for this story trail. Children read things that feel relevant and meaningful to them, so for those that call Doncaster home, what better way to connect with and get excited about the city?

"We know that reading for pleasure is associated with better outcomes, and equips young people with skills that support them throughout their life. Activities like this can make a real difference, helping build confidence, support wellbeing, and improving literacy.

“Following the success of National Literacy Trust’s Story Trail created last year in Bradford, we are excited to be working with LNER once again to make reading exciting to children and young people in Doncaster.”

Rachael Wilson, Community Investment Manager at LNER, said: “The National Year of Reading has been a unique opportunity for LNER to champion the value of reading for the communities that we serve. It has been a pleasure to work with the National Literacy Trust to create another Story Quest, this time in Doncaster, a city with a proud heritage. We were delighted to welcome pupils from Atlas Academy to take part in the very first quest.” 

This Story Quest is part of an ongoing partnership between the National Literacy Trust and LNER. Doncaster is the second place to host a trail that celebrates the significance of the city’s history and its stories, after Bradford launched one last year.

The trail is part of the National Year of Reading 2026 celebrations, an initiative from the Department for Education in collaboration with the National Literacy Trust to address the steep decline in reading enjoyment among UK children, young people and adults. The National Literacy Trust is inviting residents of Doncaster to join the nation and ‘Go All In’ on their interests and passions and (re)discover how reading can unlock the things they already love – from music and sport to films, food and family time – in whatever way works for them.  

LNER, alongside hundreds of other organisations, pledged to support the biggest reading campaign in a generation through a series of campaigns and across its route. Collaborations with authors, public figures and organisations including Michael Morpurgo, Matt Haig, Sara Pascoe, Cressida Cowell, Canongate and The Reading Agency have celebrated reading and connected more people with books and stories.

The National Literacy Trust works in communities and areas across the UK, including Doncaster, where they have made a longstanding commitment to empowering local children, young people and families with the literacy skills they need to succeed in life. In each area, the charity brings together local businesses, health, education, cultural and community organisations, alongside dedicated Literacy Champions – volunteers from all walks of life who are passionate about encouraging a love of reading in their communities – to develop and deliver place-based solutions to inspire a generation of readers.