Firbeck Hall, Rotherham.
Build in 1594, Firbeck hall has served as a home for writers, a rehabilitation center for miners and in 1935 was opened as a country club. At the outbreak of the Second World War, the hall was used by Sheffield Royal Infirmary and the Royal Air Force. For more history, maps and plans for the future click here.
The building was bought for £350,000 and is now privately owned by Ashley Wildsmith and guarded by two rather infamous and unpleasant 'security' guards, who by hitting myself and a fellow explorer proved themselves to be thugs rather than professionals. Because of this, we didn't get to finish our excursion and missed out on seeing the pool area. We don't plan on revisiting.
Firbeck Hall is defiantly one of the most beautiful, yet dangerous buildings I've visited. Upon arrival I was blown away with the sheer size of the great hall and it's breathtaking surroundings.
Armed with nothing but four torches, a camera and our phones. We found a way inside.
It took 10 minutes for the Great Hall to show it's fragility as my friend fell through a damp floorboard in a room with shattered glass for a ceiling, slicing her finger. on the way down.
After surviving the treacherous ground floor we decided to check out the cellar
Most of the upstairs flooring was made of solid wood and felt strangely safer than the ground floor and with a view of the stream outside, I felt instantly relaxed.
The second, much smaller building was where we were caught and sadly had to end our adventure.
It's a strange feeling leaving somewhere knowing that you'll probably never return.
I hope the people of Firbeck get what they want; a full restoration "focusing on the period in the 1930's when Firbeck Hall operated as an exclusive country club"
