Historic Rare Fish House Undergoes Restoration

A rare fish house, dating back centuries and facing dilapidation, has undergone restoration. This stone edifice, situated beside Rusland Pond, represents the sole identified example of its kind in South Lakeland, Cumbria. Eliza Hodgson, a farming officer with the Lake District National Park, stated that the preservation of the fish house “ensures an iconic piece of the landscape remains for years to come.” She further noted, “This is particularly important as another fish house in the area, also found on old maps, hasn’t survived.” Its reconstruction was supported by a government grant, originating from the “Farming in Protected Landscapes” fund, which is specifically allocated to national parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Edward and Pam Mills are the proprietors of the stone edifice, having discovered its mention in an 1851 map. Positioned at the periphery of an ancient forest, it stands adjacent to Fish House Bridge, which spans the Rusland Pool, a tidal waterway. Ms. Mills indicates that historically, a “plentiful supply of fish” was available, encompassing species such as eels, salmon, and trout. She explained, “They may have used the building to smoke the fish, or as a base to sell fish to locals and passing merchants using either the tidal river or the route across the bridge.” Currently, the Fish House is located along a public walking path, and during the 1800s, it potentially served as the primary commercial thoroughfare connecting Bouth, which was at that time a significant commercial hub featuring five inns, with Kendal. A descriptive panel has been erected, providing additional historical details. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.