Feature

The Alresford Eel House: History and Habitat

Introduction

The Alresford Eel House is part of our heritage: a probably unique building of historical and cultural interest. From about 1822 to 1980 the then owners used it to catch eels as they began their migration back to the Sargasso Sea to breed. Years of neglect led to severe structural decay, and since 2006 New Alresford Town Trust, which has a 99-year lease on the building, has spent some £65,000 to restore it, and open it to the public safely. The Trust plans to open the Alresford Eel House from 11.00 till 17.00 on Monday 18th April (also 2nd May, 3rd June, 17th July, 29th August and 11th September). Visitors will be able to see and identify some invertebrate creatures that live in this rare chalk stream, go inside the Eel House and learn about it as part of our historical and natural heritage. They can talk with our volunteers and take a copy of our new Visitor Booklet (the Trust requests a small donation to the Eel House Restoration Fund).

The life-cycle of the Eel

You can also learn about the remarkable lifecycle of the European Eel. These must have lived here for many thousands of years and passed through the Eel House for 200 years. Though their numbers are declining rapidly throughout Europe, they can still engage us as one of the wonders of the natural world. Our new Interpretation Boards will show the mysteries which still surround their lifecycle. This begins and ends in the Sargasso Sea, near Bermuda – drifting across the Atlantic for about two years, living in a river or estuary for perhaps 15 years, until their instinct drives them to return to their birthplace to breed - crossing an ocean amongst whales, sharks and other predators. The surviving males fertilise the eggs of the remaining females: the eggs turn into larvae, and the remarkable lifecycle begins again, swept to Europe on the Gulf Stream.

A link with the natural world

The Eel House stands on private land through which flows the River Alre. This is one of only about 200 chalk streams in the world, most in the South of England. They have been renowned for centuries for their abundant wildlife. This includes large colonies of invertebrates – creatures without a backbone – such as molluscs snails, shrimps, insects and worms. Many become flies, while others spend their lives in the water. They are a crucial part of the food chain which supports the fish and eels in the river, which in turn support creatures such as otters, kingfishers, bats, herons and egrets.

What you will see

Visitors will usually be able to look at a representative sample of these invertebrates in a box of gravel and water taken from the river - before being put back later in the day. Species you are likely to see include Beautiful Demoiselle, Mayfly, and Cased Caddis Fly. You can also go inside the Eel House, learn about its function as a source of food and income, how it worked, how it almost collapsed. Individuals and public bodies supported two restoration projects, and we envisage a third, to return the trap to working order – only for educational purposes.

An invitation

The Eel House is a unique piece of agricultural history, rescued from collapse by dedicated local people and public bodies. You will rarely see eels but it is a local reminder of the mystery and wonder of nature. Please join us on one of our Open Days in 2022, and consider joining the group of volunteers who help promote and maintain the project.

Acknowledging support

The work to create the Interpretation Boards and Visitor Booklet has been delivered by New Alresford Town Trust and Greenhouse Graphics with a grant from the Watercress and Winterbournes Landscape Partnership Scheme, which is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It has also received generous financial support from Cain Bio-Engineering, Hellards Estate Agents and Old Alresford Parish Council.