Parish in North Somerset, England
| Coordinates: | 51.481, -2.78 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | ST 45 76 |
| Population: | 23,699 |
| Dialling code: | 01275 (Clevedon) |
Portishead sits on the eastern shore of the Severn Estuary in North Somerset, occupying the mouth of the Gordano Valley with wide views across to Wales and the Severn Bridge. Once a small fishing village, it expanded in the 19th century around a Victorian harbour and docks built to handle coal from the nearby Somerset coalfield, leaving a mix of Georgian and Victorian streets beside newer waterfront developments.
Today it’s a popular commuter town for Bristol while retaining a lively local community, a marina and the redeveloped waterfront at Portishead Quays. The mudflats of the estuary are important for birdlife and attract walkers and wildlife-watchers, cultural life centres on venues such as the Blakehay Theatre, and long-running projects to improve rail links reflect ongoing change between preserving its heritage and meeting modern housing and leisure demand.
BS20 6BG, BS20 8HD, BS20 1DL, BS20 7GZ, BS20 7RA, BS20 1EG, BS20 8ES, BS20 7NS, BS20 8EW … See all