Saturday 22nd August 2026
Leader & Report: David B Photos: Mel H
Walk Report
I wanted to avoid the hassle of a busy Peak District on a summer Saturday and decided on an area where I last led a walk perhaps 30 years ago . I was pleased to welcome 12 companions at the (free!) car park at Laughton en le Morthern village hall for a 9 mile walk around the flat and wide open spaces of this part of Rotherham
We followed easy, broad and well signed paths across this rich agricultural area to the attractive village of Firbeck for our coffee break. The village is noted for being the place where the very first St Leger race was held in 1776, moving to its present Doncaster home just 2 years later. The Hall was used by Sheffield Royal Infirmary during the war ,well clear of the heavy bombing in Sheffield. There was also an airfield, where glider pilots were trained and Polish and Canadian troops were stationed. Firbeck colliery closed in 1968
We continued over the fields to the pretty hamlet of Stone and then along grassy paths towards Roche Abbey. A first for all of us was passing a drone operators club, with small drones buzzing ( safely!) overhead. The soaring twin abbey towers provided a stunning approach to our lunch stop in the grounds. The abbey was established as a Cistercian Monastery back in 1147. There’s a lot to see and the setting is a real gem (always open, free admission).
Our walk continued through the woodland valley,eventually turning over the fields to Slade Hooton , continuing on to the isolated Travellers Rest pub at Brookhouse for a final refreshment stop before continuing back to Laughton and its very prominent church spire, which is visible for miles around
We had been very complementary about the excellent condition of the footpaths in the area- wide clear and well signposted. Unfortunately we were let down as we approached Brookhouse with 3 difficult stiles in a very short distance, which were a struggle for several of us
