The Fish House in London arguably represents the world’s most historically important public aquarium. It was the first public aquarium ever built, constructed in 1853. At the time, it was a true marvel of architecture and technology, capturing the imagination of millions of visitors over its lifetime.
The Fish House was designed by the architect Decimus Burton. Burton was already known for creating magnificent architecture for London Zoo. The world’s first public aquarium was built as a part of a larger project to develop a series of parks and gardens along London’s River Thames. The Fish House had a large glass roof, under the centre of which was the main aquarium.
With Philip Henry Gosse‘s and others’ help, the all-new Fish House was soon filled with various tropical fish and other aquatic creatures. Unsurprisingly, it rapidly became a popular destination for Londoners and tourists alike. People came in droves to marvel at the beauty of the aquarium itself, while others visited to learn more about the aquatic animals that lived there.
The Fish House remained a huge success and was a popular attraction right up until its closure in 1885. Despite its closure, which was accredited to financial difficulties at the time, the Fish House left a lasting legacy. Its design was used as a template for other public aquariums built worldwide for years to come.
Furthermore, its spirit of education and exploration lives on today in modern projects like the world’s largest aquarium in the United Arab Emirates.
So, next time you find yourself at a public aquarium, take a moment to consider the legacy of the Fish House. This one-of-a-kind aquarium was a source of fascination and learning for generations of visitors and continues to inspire public aquariums worldwide in 2023 and beyond.
