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Town in Somerset, England
Photo: Rick Weston from UK, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Portishead is a large port town in Somerset with a population of about 25,000 (2018). Historically a fishing port, it underwent rapid expansion during the 19th century when it became a hub for chemical industry. It has since fallen prey to gentrification, and little remains of its rich heritage today. Modern Portishead is a residential coastal resort town in the shadow of the Portbury container port.
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Marina in the re-purposed dock of a coal terminal linked to electric power plants demolished in the early 1980s. Nowadays an example of gentrification, nothing is left of its industrial heritage and the marina is surrounded by low rise residential housing blocks.
Nature reserve between Portishead and the Royal Portbury Dock. The reserve is the result of redevelopment of the area where coal fired electric power stations dumped coal ash for about 50 years, starting in 1929. After power generation seized and the power stations were demolished in the early 1980s, the ashes were flattened and nature gradually reclaimed the area. The ashes create a unique biome, which is managed by the Avon Wildlife Trust. It is nowadays a haven for water birds, as well as otters and grass snakes.
Battery Point Lighthouse
Lighthouse designed by the Chance Brothers of Smethwick, built as a 9-m-tall black pyramid on a concrete base in 1931 overlooking the marshes. It had been equipped with a 2000-kg fog bell cast by Gillet & Johnston of Croydon in 1938, but the bell was removed in 1998 because of structural concerns. It is now installed in Wyndham Way Close very near to High St.
Grassland covering a limestone ridge that was the location of a coastal gun battery during the Second World War to protect the Severn estuary from naval invasion by axis forces. The fossils, folds and faults in the area are of geological interest.
A valley on reclaimed land from the Severn estuary, only slightly above sea level, that is a designated National Nature Reserve. The 161-ha valley is of geological and biological importance, with over 130 species of flowering plants including 3 wild orchids. It is connected to the Severn estuary through the Portbury Ashlands, and a fantastic place for walks and hikes.
A section of the Portishead Pier made of up alluvial sandstone, rich in fossils of marine lifeforms dating back to the Carboniferous Period of geological history.
Farmhouse dating back to Medieval periods but remodelled in the 17th and 19th century.
Church built in 1320 and rebuilt in the 14th and 15th centuries in a Gothic style. It has a garden and churchyard hosting the war graves of 3 Royal Navy sailors and an airman who died during the Second World War. With its 29-m-tall four-stage tower and set back buttresses and a pierced parapet, the church is a prominent landmark.
White painted lighthouse built in 1894 as a navigation aid for the Severn estuary. It was originally gas powered, and connected to the municipal gas network. The drive mechanism was rewound manually once a day, to ensure the lighthouse would flash with a 5 Hz interval. Although it was electrified during the Second World War, the manual mechanism was only replaced by electric motors in 2000. It is no longer used for navigation and preserved as a Grade II listed building.
Concrete pier stretching about 100 m into the Severn.
Open air heated swimming pool kept at a comfortable 28°C. Only open during summer months.
Pebble and grass beach surrounded by a salt marsh, with views on the Welsh coastline.
The largest park in Portishead, with at is centre a century-old artificial lake. It also hosts the Portishead cricket club.
A 42-m-long cave at sea level.
Farm zoo with over 100 different animal species including the largest African elephant exhibit in northern Europe. The zoo is somewhat controversial for its promotion of creationism in information signs displayed at some of the exhibits, but still a great day out if the weather allows.
Old-fashioned cafe serving simple food and full English breakfast.
Pizzeria and fish & chips.
Indian food.
Upscale oriental cuisine.
Cocktails and tapas bar.
Pizzeria and Italian cuisine overlooking the impressive marina lock gate, which is worth a visit on its own. Has indoor and outdoor seating.
Good seafood restaurant and takeaway by the marina.
Gastro-pub in Weston-in-Gordano.
Italian restaurant and pizzeria.
Built in 1830 by the Bristol city council to promote Portishead as a seaside resort town, then known as the Royal Hotel. It served Brunel's railway line between Bristol and Portishead.
Authentic and cosy white-painted pub with an open fire and beer garden. Simple but quality food served around lunchtime.
By bicycle
Portishead is well connected by the National Cycle Network, with route leading to the centre of the town. From Bristol there are 2 routes.
By bus
First Bus operates services from the Bristol city centre to Portishead. Line X3 (direction Portishead) is a direct connection. Travel time is ca. 35 minutes.
Portishead is fairly small and can be easily explored by foot. The Lake Grounds, Battery Point hill, and marina are pleasant walks and free of motorised traffic.
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