Portishead Marina — Attraction in Great Britain

When I think back to my visit to Portishead Marina, it feels almost magical. Certain parts of it genuinely reminded me of a scene straight out of a Disney animation—the way the houses are laid out, charmingly winding along the water, with little gardens and balconies overlooking the marina, gives it a storybook feel. You can almost imagine characters from a fairytale strolling along, with the lights reflecting on the water in the early evening. There's something so special about the atmosphere there; it’s peaceful, yet there’s an energy to it that makes you want to stay.

One of the things I loved most about Portishead Marina was how serene it felt. You can just stroll along the water, take in the views of boats gently bobbing at their moorings, and enjoy the calm. There’s a real sense of community, too—everyone was so friendly, and you constantly see people out for a walk with their dogs or sitting on benches, watching the world go by. It’s quiet enough to feel like a true escape but lively enough to remind you that you’re in a vibrant, thriving place. I could spend hours just wandering and soaking it all up.

And the food? Amazing. There are some great restaurants right by the water where you can sit outside and enjoy a fantastic meal with a view that feels almost Mediterranean. There’s something for everyone, from cozy little coffee shops with pastries that look like they’re straight out of a bakery in Paris to upscale spots with fresh seafood that’s just incredible. I had some of the best fish dishes there, and the waterfront dining made it even better. Plus, there are enough options to keep things interesting—you can eat somewhere different every night and never run out of places to try.

But it’s not just the restaurants; the whole area is full of little places to explore. There are a few lovely boutiques and shops scattered around that feel like hidden gems, perfect for picking up unique items or little souvenirs. Walking around, you’ll come across charming nooks and crannies, each with its own character. And with the combination of the architecture and the layout, it’s got this vibe that feels like it was taken straight out of a movie set.

One of my favorite moments was watching the sunset over the marina—it’s absolutely stunning. The colors reflecting off the water as the sun goes down is something you just have to see for yourself. You really feel like you’re a million miles away from any hustle and bustle, tucked into this little corner of tranquility.

Overall, Portishead Marina is just one of those places that leaves an impression. It has that rare mix of charm, peace, and vibrancy that’s hard to find, and I honestly didn’t want to leave. It’s got everything you could want for a perfect day or weekend away, whether you’re there for a quiet getaway, some great food, or just a beautiful place to explore. I’d go back in...

Having a long history as a fishing port Portishead, Has over the millennia hosted a power station and a chemical works, and a large number of ship and boat repairers together with ships chandlers. Since 1992 when the docks finally closed, The harbour area, which is still evolving has been transformed into a jewell perched on the edge of the Severn Estuary. On our visit we found it easy to park the car, but I would imagine that on warm summer's day with lots of visitors around the town , it might well be a different story. The area around the marina has a back drop of nicely designed and trendy looking apartments, all looking down and across the waterfront, with the yachts and boats completing this vista. We were able to walk freely around the marina area, you can also cross the marina by walking across the top of the lock gates, these gates which are moved by hydraulic rams, and hold back an enormous amount of water. There are three or four restaurant / bars around the area, plus a large Costa Coffee shop and a CO-OP supermarket . All in all you could spend a good couple of hours meandering around the marina. On a nice sunny day I can't think of a better place to while away an hour or two while having a glass or two of beer at the Hall and Woodhouse bar/ restaurant , While watching people mucking about on the water. I have to say that I would like to have given this location, the marina a 5 star rating, but having purchased a couple of takeaway coffee's from the Costa shop, which was very nice by the way, that there was absolutely not a litter bin to be seen anywhere, where we could put our used cups. So we ended up taking them home with us, rather than litter the area. ps if you find this review helpful, please...

Sadly will never ever go here again. We spent a lovely hour down the Marina , used the local businesses and have to say enjoyed it. Then for the joy of the visit and supporting local businesses , we had a letter from Premier parking. This letter was a demand for £100 for parking fine.

If the businesses want people to enjoy the area ...My advise would be to stop these sleaze ball companies sucking your hard earned money from you

Its a Honey Trap carpark , purely there to post fines to you after the fact. We paid , and then week later had a penalty notice stating we over stayed. Sent them the receipt , but still stated they were proceeding with invoice. My advise to anyone is stay away from this carpark , and any other premierpark run sites. I for one will never go to Portishead again , will contact the landowner , MP and the businesses there...