Lifestyle District: A Winter’s Stroll Around Portishead

The weather may be chilly at the moment but that shouldn’t stop you getting out and about!

Bristol city centre is a great place for a walk on a crisp winter’s day, but we also highly recommend Portishead, 30 minutes away.  

While the centre of the town is very similar to many other British towns, the coastal area is worth a visit.

With sweeping views of the Severn Estuary, spend a few moments sat on the wall looking out across rock pools and towards the Welsh coastline.

After taking in the views, climb the steps to the historic Battery Point for an even more impressive panorama.

Fortified against Britain's enemies since the Elizabethan era and used by raiding parties during the Iron Age, the grass covered hill has been of strong strategic importance for thousands of years and is the closest place on a UK coast which large ships pass.

Stood on the hill is a poignant memorial to the seafarers of the West Country who "since the Middle Ages, on voyages of discovery in times of peace and war, have passed this point, some never to return".

From Battery Point, walk through the woods that lead to Portishead's marina, once home to the town's industrial docks. The area now boasts apartments and expensive boats plus a huge lock gate which you might be lucky to see in action.

Some of the marina is still in development but if you’re looking for some refreshments, stop off at Hall & Woodhouse, an intriguing bar made out of shipping containers! If it’s busy, the acoustics mean that the bar can be loud but the choice of beers are good.

One member of legendary trip-hop group Portishead once described his home-town, from which they take their name, as "dreary". We beg to differ!  

To view more pictures from Lifestyle District, click here.

Lifestyle District is the blog of Virginia Allwood and Dan Martin who also run Le Shop UK - an online retailer selling fine art photographs of Bath, Bristol and the South West.