Whilst making a return visit to a favourite hotel in the Quantock Hills, we decided to divert our journey and visit the Somerset Levels to view its unique landscape, and visit a small historic building.
Being one of the flattest areas in the UK, it is easy to understand that the area was once covered by the sea that is apart from some curious bumps and mounds that rose above the water and formed islands. To reach the grasslands from these "islands", prehistoric people built raised wooden tracks, of which there is still evidence today. The Romans tried to manage the Levels but did not have as much success as the monks from Glastonbury.
However, we were in search of the only surviving monastic fish house building that remains in England. The Fish house was ordered by Abbot Adam de Sodbury over 700 years ago in 1320 to house his water bailiff, who caught fish in the nearby lake. The fish were then salted and dried to provide the monks with an all year round supply of fish.
The Abbot also built the neighbouring property, now a manor house, which was used as a relaxing and contemplative summer residence. It was surrounded by a herb and fruit garden, along with a vineyard and orchard.
The windows' original Norman arches can still be seen; however, the window on the far right was later Gothicised before being completely blocked.
Sitting above the porch is a stone figure wearing robes and a mitre which is believed to represent Abbot Adam de Sodbury.