Portishead, Bristol, Somerset
Portishead, on the Somerset coast, is well worth a visit. Tucked in a valley between thickly wooded slopes and the Severn Estuary, the town is very much on the up in recent years and considered a cool place to live – within easy reach of Bristol but not so busy, and with less hefty property price tags.
Back in the day, Portishead was a busy fishing port but in the 19th century its popularity as a seaside resort grew. Nowadays, affectionately known as ‘Posset’ by the locals, it still retains that traditional charm, with a long promenade and in the seafront Lake Grounds, an open air lido, boating lake, tennis courts and play areas. The Victorian high street is lined with smaller independent shops, while down on the marina there’s a more modern vibe, with several bars and restaurants where people sit outside in the sunshine, enjoying a coffee or lunch and watching the comings and goings. A big draw for children is the purpose-built crabbing pontoon; buy lines and bait from a shop on the harbour and see what you can catch.
So have a little explore, see what you notice. Go for a coastal walk, wander down to Sugar Loaf Beach or out to Battery Point where ships pass closer to the mainland than anywhere else in the UK. You’ll notice the incredible estuary light and the astonishing views that stretch far out over the Bristol Channel to the Welsh mountains. Get a good dose of that bracing sea air then amble back into town and find somewhere to eat – SeaRock is good for fish and chips, Mokoko is the place to go for coffee and pastries.
All information correct at the time of writing