The short answer: For a lot of people, yes. An eye test in Doncaster city centre can be combined with the market, a café or a bit of shopping. Parking is easier than its reputation, and right now the first hour is free in most council car parks – a trial initiative run by Doncaster Council running until the end of March 2027. So now you can choose an optician for the care, not just the postcode.
It’s a fair question. If you live in Tickhill, Armthorpe or Bessacarr, there may be an optician closer to home.
Driving into town can feel like a faff. You might worry about parking, or about the city centre itself.
We get it. We’re a city centre practice, and we hear these worries often.
So this guide is honest about both sides. It covers where people travel from to see us, what to do while you’re in town, where to park, and what this all means. It also covers when staying local makes more sense.
Do people really travel in from the villages for an eye test?
Yes, and in bigger numbers than you might think. Over the last 12 months, 419 new patients registered with us. Nearly half of them live outside Doncaster’s inner postcodes.
Here’s where they came from (October 2025 to October 2026):
| Where new patients travelled from | New patients |
|---|---|
| Inner Doncaster: the centre, Balby, Bessacarr, Cantley, Warmsworth, Wheatley, Intake, Bentley and Sprotbrough | 232 |
| East: Armthorpe, Edenthorpe, Kirk Sandall, Barnby Dun, Hatfield, Stainforth, Dunscroft and Thorne | 64 |
| South and south-east: Rossington, Tickhill, Bawtry, Auckley, Finningley, Blaxton and Bircotes | 58 |
| North: Adwick, Skellow, Carcroft and Askern | 26 |
| West: Conisbrough and Edlington | 11 |
| Further afield: Barnsley, Wakefield, Rotherham, Worksop, Retford and beyond | 28 |
| Total | 419 |
Armthorpe and Rossington were the two villages we saw most often. A handful of people came from much further away, including Peterborough, Ilkley and Worcester.
Why do people travel past an optician on their doorstep?
We asked. This autumn, we sent a short survey to people who became patients in 2026. The answers that came up most often were:
- – Good reviews. Many people read reviews before they booked.
- – A recommendation. Over a third first heard about us from a friend or family member.
- – Wanting a smaller, independent practice. Several people said this in their own words.
- – A poor experience somewhere else. A few wanted a fresh start after their last eye test or glasses.
Two people even found us by asking an AI tool like ChatGPT.
None of those reasons are about distance. People travel for the thing that matters most to them: feeling looked after.
What can you do in Doncaster city centre around your eye test?
Plenty. The easiest way to make the trip worthwhile is to turn it into a morning out. Here are a few ideas.
- – Doncaster Market. The main market days are Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, from 8am to 4pm. There’s a fish market, fruit and veg stalls and an antique and bric-a-brac market on Wednesday mornings.
- – Food and coffee. The market’s International Food Hall has cafés, delis, a cheese stall and a noodle bar. The Wool Market has food and drink, and stays open into the evening with live music.
- – The Corn Exchange. This beautiful old building reopened in 2025 after a two-year restoration. It’s home to local independent businesses.
- – Danum Gallery, Library and Museum. On Waterdale, it has a museum, an art gallery, a rail heritage centre with two famous locomotives, and a café. It’s open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, and Saturday 10am to 4pm.
- – Shopping. Frenchgate and the streets around it have the big names, plus plenty of smaller shops.
How to plan a morning in town around your appointment
- – Book a morning slot. We’re open 9am to 5pm on weekdays and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.
- – Park once. Choose a car park that suits your plans (see below), so you don’t have to move the car.
- – Have your eye test first. It takes about 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the type of test.
- – Take your time choosing frames. There’s no rush and no pressure.
- – Head to the market or a café. If you need simple single-vision glasses, our on-site lab can often make them the same day. You could collect them before you go home.
Saturday works well if you’re busy in the week. You can come to us in the morning and still catch the market until 4pm.
Is parking in Doncaster city centre expensive?
Not really, and right now it costs less than usual. Doncaster Council is trialling one hour of free parking in most of its city centre car parks. The trial started in June 2026 and runs until the end of March 2027.
The free hour covers Wood Street, College Road (Irish Club), Markets, St Georges, Marshgate, Church Way and Chamber Road car parks. You still need a ticket, or you can choose the one-hour option on the RingGo app.
Outside the free hour, many council car parks charge from 60p to £1.70 for the first hour. For comparison, Sheffield’s council car parks charge between £1.10 and £1.65 an hour.
Can you park outside Edwards & Walker?
There’s a drop-off point right outside our door on Priory Place. It’s handy if someone is bringing you in, or if walking is difficult.
There are no dedicated spaces for patients. But there are car parks within about five minutes’ walk, including Colonnades, Young Street and the Waterdale area. If you’re also visiting the market, the Markets car park is part of the free-hour trial.
Is Doncaster city centre safe to visit?
Of course! Like many city centres, Doncaster isn’t perfect and we know some visitors find coming into the city centre uncomfortable, and that’s understandable.
It isn’t something one small practice can fix. But we can make your visit as easy as possible.
- – We’re on a quieter street. Priory Place is a calm side street, away from the busiest parts of town.
- – You don’t have to walk far. You can be dropped off at the door, or park a few minutes away.
- – You don’t have to roam. If you’d rather come straight to us and go straight home, that’s fine.
- – Help is around. The council has city centre wardens on patrol, and the local police team runs regular patrols too.
Does coming into town make a difference to Doncaster?
Yes. Every visit to a city centre business keeps money in Doncaster.
The city centre is changing. The Corn Exchange has been restored.
The Danum Gallery, Library and Museum has opened. The area outside the railway station has become a pedestrian space with seating and fountains. More work is planned.
Those changes need footfall to work. A morning in town, a coffee at the market or lunch at a local café all add up. It’s a bit like a village pub: use it, or one day it might not be there.
When you choose an independent business, the money stays local. We’re co-owned by two Doncaster residents, Pretty and Pete. There’s no head office and no shareholders elsewhere.
When is staying local the better choice?
Sometimes, staying close to home makes more sense. And that’s fine.
- – If travel is hard for you. If you can’t leave home on your own because of illness or disability, you may be able to have an NHS eye test at home. Ask your GP, or give us a call and we’ll point you in the right direction.
- – If you’re happy where you are. If your optician knows your eyes and gives you time to ask questions, that’s worth a lot. There’s no need to change just for the sake of it.
- – If something changes suddenly. If you notice flashes, a shadow across your vision or sudden blurring, don’t wait for a trip into town. Contact an optician the same day or call NHS 111.
Your eye test in Doncaster city centre
Edwards & Walker has been looking after Doncaster’s eyes for more than 50 years. We’re at 16 Priory Place, in the city centre.
Every eye test is with Dr Pretty Basra, our optometrist and co-owner. You’ll see her every time, so you won’t have to explain your history to someone new at each visit.
There’s no commission and no pressure to buy. If you’d like help choosing frames, you can also book a one-to-one Personal Glasses Styling session and make a morning of it.
New patients are usually seen within a week. If you’re with another optician, moving to us is no hassle, and we’ll ask your old optician for your records.
Questions people often ask
Is there free parking near Edwards & Walker?
Until the end of March 2027, most council car parks in the city centre give you the first hour free. You’ll still need a ticket or the RingGo app. There’s also a drop-off point right outside our door.
Can I get my glasses on the same day?
Often, yes, if you need simple single-vision glasses. Our on-site lab can usually make them the same day. Varifocals and more complex prescriptions take two to three weeks.
What’s the best day to combine an eye test with the market?
Tuesday, Friday and Saturday are the main market days, from 8am to 4pm. Saturday works well if you work in the week. We’re open 9am to 1pm, so you can come to us first and then head to the market.
Do I have to change opticians to have an eye test with you?
No. You can have an eye test with any optician you like, whenever you like. You don’t need to tell your current optician.
If you decide to stay with us, we’ll ask for your records for you.
Can someone drop me off at the door?
Yes. There’s a drop-off point right outside the practice on Priory Place. It’s a quieter side street, so it’s easy to hop out without fuss.
The bottom line
People already travel into Doncaster from Tickhill, Armthorpe, Rossington and well beyond for their eye test. With a free hour of parking, the market and a few good cafés nearby, it can be a pleasant morning out, not a chore.
If you’d like to talk it through, you’re very welcome to book an appointment, call us on 01302 349193 or simply pop in. No pressure, and no obligation.
