Abbot’s Fish House, Meare, South West, England

Otherwise known as the Abbot’s fish house as it was built in the first half of the 14th century by the Abbot at Glastonbury. Built near the River Brue and Meare Pool, each with a good supply of fish. It was built to store, dry and salt the fish that the abbey required and to sell fish for profit.

Originally the upper floor may have been living quarters and may have provided accommodation for the head fisherman. After the dissolution it reverted to being an agricultural building and because it was not lived in, the stonework has not been altered.  The building now sits in the middle of a field and key holder access is listed on the door.

The area was profitable; the local peat was used for heating, the reeds for thatching.  Records tell us that over 5,000 eels were caught in the Meare Pool every year, and the pool itself may have been as large as 5 miles round. The Doomsday book of 1086 notes 3 fisheries and 10 fishermen at Meare. 

The Fish House is the only remaining monastic fishery building in the country.