Portishead’s history dates back to the Roman times. Its name derives from the ‘port at the head of the river’. The town was built on the mouth of a small tributary; indeed the High Street once met the water at the top of the river. Iron rings, evidence of where the old fishing boats used to moor can still be seen today on the street’s stone walls.
The dominant architecture is early Victorian with many buildings maintaining their original features. When work is finished, the new marina will provide over 400 floating berths and approximately 100 dry berths for a range of sailing and leisure craft.
Population
The current population of Portishead is approximately 18,000. Due to the new house-building programme in the area a further 8,000 people are expected to settle in the area over the next few years making Portishead one of the largest towns in North Somerset.
Leisure and sports activities
We have a brand new sports and leisure complex which was partly funded by the National Lottery as well as funds from the Town Council and North Somerset Council. It houses a large swimming pool, leisure and play pools, indoor bowls, 6 badminton courts, gymnasium, fun room for toddlers, cafeteria, licensed bar etc. Other sporting facilities in the town include open air tennis courts, a large outdoor swimming-pool, boating lake, cricket grounds, football and hockey pitches as well as many cycle lanes for those who enjoy getting out and about.
Buses, Trains, Airports, Taxis
Buses
First Bus 0871 200 22 33 www.firstgroup.com
National Express 08717 818 181 www.nationalexpress.com
Trains
National Rail 08457 484 950 www.nationalrail.co.uk
Airports
Bristol Airport 0871 334 4450 www.bristolairport.co.uk
Cardiff Airport 01446 711 111 www.cwlfly.com
Taxis
Amcaruk 0800-955 5070 15 Roath Rd, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 6AW Map | EMail
County Cars 01275 843434 1 Combe Av, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 6JR Map
R & D Private Hire 01275 843326 43 Denny View, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 8BT Map
A Executive Taxis 01275 817115 8 Aelfric Meadow, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 7LB Map
Cabsdirect 01275 849661 2 South View, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 7DP Map | EMail
Angel Private Hire 01275 818395 105 Avon Way, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 6LT Map
Avenue Cars 01275 846633 52 Pembroke Rd, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 8HF Map | EMail
Williams Taxi 01275 845598 132 Badger Rise, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 8AX Map
Local Council Offices
Bristol City Council 01179 222 000 The Council House, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TR www.bristol.gov.uk
North Somerset Council 01934 888888 Town hall, Walliscote Grove Road, Weston-Super-Mare, BS23 1UT
Theatres & Cinemas
Playhouse High Street Weston-Super-Mare BS23 1HP 01934 645544
Bristol Old Vic 8 King Street, Bristol, BS1 4ED 01179 493 993 www.bristol-old-vic.co.uk
VUE Cinema The Venue, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, BS10 7SR 08712 240 240 www.myvue.com
ODEON The Centre Weston-super-Mare BS23 1UR
Doctors & Dentists
NHS Direct 0845 4647 www.nhsdirect.co.uk
93 High Street 93 High Street, Portishead, BS20 6PR
Cleeve Dental Surgery 9A Millier Road, Cleeve, Bristol, BS49 4NL
Combe Road Dental Practice The Dental Surgery, 6 Combe Road, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 6BJ
Frances Dowler's Dental Practice 9a The Precinct, Portishead, BS20 6AH
Lime Tree Dental Practice Lime Tree Dental Practice, 6 Woodhill Road, Portishead, BS20 7ET
Linden Lodge Dental Practice Linden Lodge, 17 Linden Road, Clevedon, North Somerset, BS21 7SR
Pill Dental Practice 5 Baltic Place, Pill, Bristol, BS20 0EJ
West Hill Dental Practice 9 The Triangle, West Hill, Portishead, BS20 6PG
Harbourside Family Practice Harbourside surgery, harbour road, portishead, bristol BS20 7BD 01275 848855
Portishead Health Centre Victoria Square, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 6AQ
