Portishead

Directory Information

Our Portishead/Clevedon dentons directory (8th edition) is currently distributed to over 34,000 business and residential addresses in the Portishead/Clevedon area. For more information on our directories, please click here.

About Portishead

Victorian Pier, Portishead

Victorian Pier, Portishead

Portishead is a North Somerset town on the Severn Estuary and is primarily a dormitory town for Bristol and its environs. Portishead was once a small Victorian village, today it has become one of the fastest growing towns in the UK. During the past 10 years, its local population has grown by over 40% and Portishead is now officially the second largest town in the District of North Somerset, second only to Weston-super-Mare. It is twinned with the towns of Den Dungen in the Netherlands and Schweich in Germany.

  

  

History

Arc of Angels, Port Marina, Portishead

Arc of Angels, Port Marina, Portishead

  • Portishead’s history dates back to Roman times.
  • The name derives from the ‘port at the head of the river’, having been called Portshead and Portschute at times in its history and Portesheve in the Domesday Book. Locally, it was also known as Posset.
  • In the 1860s a pier and harbourside were created to accommodate the large ships that were unable to dock in Bristol. These ships brought cargoes from across the globe  locally mined coal.
  • The first power station was built in 1926 and added to several times.  The second station was created in 1949 and generated electricity fot the national grid until 1982.  The power stations used the locally mined coal landed at the docks and subsequently carried in by rail.
  • The deep docks have been developed into a marina and harbourside which now offers a cosmopolitan atmosphere to the town.

Facts

  • Population – 17,130 (2001)
  • Unitary Authority – North Somerset Council
  • Major Industries – Avon & Somerset Constabulary HQ; Car Imports (Royal Portbury Dock)
  • Post Town – BRISTOL
  • Postcode District – BS20
  • Dialling Code – 01275
  • Police – Avon and Somerset Police
  • Fire – Avon Fire and Rescue Service
  • Ambulance – Great Western Ambulance Service

Discover Portishead – useful links to town guides, what’s on and places to see

Harbourside, Portishead

Harbourside, Portishead

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