About Bowlish

In the 17^th century Bowlish was a hamlet at the heart of the massive woollen industry in Shepton Mallet. Owned by one of the wealthy clothiers of the town, Old Bowlish House was surrounded by buildings associated with the textile industry.

Now mellowed into an eclectic residential hamlet just off the Wells road from Shepton Mallet, these fascinating old buildings were significant in creating the Bowlish conservation area and meriting the distinction of a site of special archaeological interest.

The hamlet was peppered by a handful of relatively grand houses, built by the clothiers to demonstrate their wealth. One of these, Bowlish House, is another Georgian house built in the palladian style in 1732. Now a restaurant with rooms, it's well worth a visit for morning coffee, lunch or dinner, and a good base from which to explore north Somerset. All food is locally sourced and freshly cooked.

Whilst you're in Bowlish, it's also worth a call to artists John Yeo and Julie Dare. Each works with glass but whilst John's interest lies in beautiful architectural work and private commissions for stained glass windows (you can see his Millennium window in the magnificent church of St Peter and St Paul in Shepton Mallet). Julie is one of few artists in the UK making bespoke beads - and jewellery - from Italian Moretti glass.