The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Firbeck

Best view of waterfall is from below it on the bankside.

Firbeck has a rich history dating back to the Domesday Book in 1086 (as Friebech). The village is known for its connection to Anthony St Leger, who originated the St Leger Stakes horse race.

The airfield was opened in September 1940 and was closed in 1948, during this time it was mainly used as a relief landing ground (RLG) and small planes such as the Westland Lysander and the Taylorcraft Auster. After the Second World War had ended the airfield was used by two Royal Air Force (RAF) gliding schools.

Ruins of a small Cistercian abbey in a dramatic valley with rocky limestone outcrops.

The place name Firbeck is thought to derive from a wood streamlet, or beck of the Frith.

The first reference dates from 1482, when it was one of a number of churches placed under the ecclesiastical authority of York by Archbishop Thomas Rotherham. At this time the church was dedicated to St Peter but the dedication was changed much later in history, possibly to distinguish it from the nearby church of St Peter at Letwell. The old church was demolished in 1820, and rebuilt by the Galley-Knight family, who owned the Firbeck Estate from the late 18th century to the mid 19th century. Further work took place in 1844, when a north aisle was added to house the organ and the vestry. Finally, in 1900, a new tower was built to replace the one built in 1820. The church has several fine stained glass windows and interesting hatchments and monuments, including some to the St Leger family. Anthony St Leger was the founder of the famous race in 1776 and the original racecourse was in an oval field above the village near the St Leger’s home, Park Hill Hall.

The pond has a duck house and a beehive.

The Church of St Peter is found at the west end of the village of Letwell, near Rotherham, in South Yorkshire. The church was built around 1375 by John Mauleverer, but has been substantially altered several times. Much of the church was later rebuilt in 1820, at the expense of Henry Gally Knight FRS, the owner of Firbeck Hall, but was largely destroyed by fire a few decades later. The tower, along with the vestry are all that remain of the church following a fire which occurred in 1867. The fire was inadvertently started by one Harry Radley, who was sexton at the time. In response to complaints from the parishioners that they were too cold, he had over-stoked the coal-fired boiler which led to the fire. The church today consists of the 14th century tower with a Victorian nave and apse. It is Grade II* listed.