Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, the area's shape resembles a rhombus, with borders with Balby and Doncaster city centre, separated by railway lines and the river separating the area from the villages of Sprotbrough and Newton.

The council no longer employs park keepers now, and Hexthorpe Flatts has fallen into major decline.

One popular attraction within Hexthorpe Flatts is the Dell, a bandstand made out of wood in what was a small quarry.

However, in August 2010, the lease of the Manor House was taken over by a new charitable organisation Rebound (a mental health charity) offering accommodation to vulnerable adults.

Hexthorpe is situated next to the Plant Works at Doncaster, which was famous for building the Flying Scotsman, and Mallard, an A4 locomotive.

An extensive remedial operation was needed to cover the asbestos and other industrial contaminants with various protective layers and 300mm of topsoil.