Marina/Anchorage: Portishead Marina
A Boatfolk Marina located on the Bristol Channel, Portishead feels like it’s been designed by boaters. Pippa Shaw shares her review of Portishead Marina as she sails around the UK.
Date(s) of visit: 27/07/2021 – 04/08/2021
Boat length: 28ft
Boat type: Sailing yacht
Boat name: Sudana
Crew: Two persons and one cat
Portishead Marina is a surprisingly lively spot located near the mouth of the River Avon and a welcome retreat from the Bristol Channel. Image: PS Copywriting
Jump to section
- Price
- Access
- Contact info
- Comfort
- Facilities
- Shops
- Things to do
- Review:
- Would you stay again?
- Opie’s Opinion
- Next Steps
Price
As part of the Boatfolk Marina group, Portishead Marina offers a range of berthing tariffs for visitors and long-term berth holders alike. At the time of writing, the price card available on the Portishead Marina website covers 1st October 2024 to 31st March 2025.
Annual moorings start at £443 per metre for boats over 6m, or £1,918 per year for smaller vessels. The marina also offers flexible berthing (1st April 2025 – 31st October 2025) of £66 per metre/month for boats over 6pm, and £54 per metre/month for smaller vessels. Pay for 4+ months in advance to receive a 5% discount.
For short-term visitors, the marina offers the following rates all year round:
- Weekly: £24 per metre
- Daily: £4 per metre
- Short stays up to 4 hours: £25 fixed rate.
Vessels over 24m LOA will need to contact the marina for a personalised quote.
Stay at Portishead Marina for just £4 per metre per day. Prices correct as of Jan 2025. Image: Portishead Marina
Access
Conveniently located just a short drive from Bristol, with regular trains and public transport, Portishead is a great place to stop before entering the river, and is especially convenient for large-draft vessels that can’t make it all the way to the city or for visitors who want convenience without the hustle and bustle of Bristol.
For mariners, Portishead Marina is located at 51.49°N and 2.76°W. The lock entrance is approximately 1nm South-West of the mouth of the River Avon and the Royal Portbury Dock.
Your first view of the marina entrance, when approaching from the North-East, will be of the pier on your starboard side. A green light shines at the end of the pier at night.
As you reach the end of the pier, you’ll find two fixed vertical port and starboard lights denoting the entrance to the lock. The lock features a traffic control system on the port side, with the usual colour-codes in operation:
- Three vertical red lights = “vessels shall not proceed”
- Green, white, green lights = “vessels may proceed on instruction from marina control”.
Lock times and tide tables are available on the Portishead Marina website. You will need to contact the Marina on VHF Channel 80 as you make your approach to book in for the next available lock. Vessels must also keep a listening watch on VHF Channel 12 for commercial shipping movements and Bristol VTS.
Although entrance to Portishead Marina is relatively straightforward and well-marked, visitors must be wary when navigating the Bristol Channel, as it has an exceedingly large tidal range (up to 14m), with fast tidal streams. It’s also a busy shipping channel, with large craft operating throughout the day and night, especially between Avonmouth and Royal Portbury Docks. So please be cautious and plan your approach accordingly.
Large craft should be in communication with other vessels and Bristol VTS on VHF Channel 12. Small craft are only required to radio on Channel 12 when outbound from the River Avon at Nelson Point, although you should always be aware of other ships in the area.
Be wary when making your approach to Portishead Marina, as the Bristol Channel experiences some significant tidal changes, strong currents, and is a busy shipping lane. Keep a listening watch on channel 12 to stay informed of other vessel movements. Image: PS Copywriting
Contact info
Phone: 01275 841941
VHF: Ch 80
Email: [email protected]
Address:
Portishead Marina
Lock Control Building
Newfoundland Way
Portishead
BS20 7DF
Comfort
Nestled behind a lock and surrounded by residential and leisure buildings, Portishead Marina is well protected from weather in all directions. The pontoons are wide and stable, and you’re never too far from the main gate!
The surrounding area is very peaceful, so you’re sure to get a good night’s sleep here.
Opie the boat cat was very happy with the stable, quiet pontoons at Portishead Marina. Image: PS Copywriting
Facilities
As it’s been a little while since I personally visited Portishead Marina, I did have to get in touch with them to check a few details. On the bright side, this means the below is the most up-to-date information direct from the marina (and I did confirm that the person on the other end of the phone was also a berth-holder and had used the facilities himself!).
Electric
Visitors can plug into the electricity ports on any pontoon. The electricity is metered, but I was advised that the price has been the same since 2022, and currently costs just £0.27 per kWh.
Water
There is free water points throughout the marina. As is becoming increasingly the standard in marinas, you will need to bring your own hose and connections.
Gas
Unfortunately, Portishead Marina doesn’t sell gas. I was advised if you need a new gas bottle, contact Avonmouth or speak to the local chandlers, who may be able to provide more guidance on where to top up.
Showers
There are two shower blocks at Portishead Marina. The first one is located under the lock control building and is a more public and basic option. At H&W, you’ll find a more modern showers and facilities block featuring individual washrooms, all designed and cleaned to the standard you would expect from the premium care of Boatfolk – they even have a bathtub, perfect for soaking away the stress of a treacherous passage across the Bristol Channel!
The older shower blocks by the lock building are less impressive, but the new facilities are a much higher standard, with individual washrooms and even a bathroom to relax in! Image: PS Copywriting
Laundry
There are two large washing machines and tumble driers available onsite for your laundry needs. The price is reasonable for such large drums at £5 for a wash and £4 for a dry.
Boatyard
Portishead Marina offers a “bustling boatyard”, complete with a large boat hoist capable of lifting boats up to 35 tonnes. In addition to plenty of dry-standing space, the Boatcare team includes onsite marine engineers, boat repair experts, and boat care providers to help you with any repairs and/or maintenance should you need them.
Chandlery
Previously, Portishead Marina did have an on-site chandlery, but this has recently relocated. However, it’s only a 5 minute walk away, so you don’t have to go far to fulfil your boating needs. And, like all Boatfolk Marinas, the office will be happy to take in deliveries for you should you need anything else.
Fuel
The fuel dock is located just inside the lock, serving diesel and unleaded high-quality fuels. There is a self-serve payment point at the pump, so you don’t need to worry about running to/from the office, and refuelling is quick and easy.
WiFi
As expected, there is free WiFi throughout the marina. This has recently been upgraded, so it’s possible that you will actually be able to connect – which is a bit of a novelty in the boating world! Where so many marinas offer WiFi that simply doesn’t work, it’s refreshing to find a marina that (potentially, I haven't tried it myself!) offers a usable connection.
Shops
As mentioned already, there is a chandlery just 5 minutes’ walk away from the marina for your boat maintenance/repair needs.
For food shopping, boaters have a few options, including a Co-Op, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Lidl, and Aldi just a short walk from the marina. Shoppers will also enjoy a conveniently close Home Bargains and Argos, perfect for replacing any broken kitchenware or other items that fell victim to the Bristol Channel!
All that shopping made you hungry? In addition to a variety of delicious bars and restaurants surrounding the marina, there’s a very conveniently located McDonald’s next to the Aldi. What more could you want?
Things to do
Portishead Marina might feel like a stop-off for vessels coming in/out of Bristol, but don’t let its convenient location fool you! There’s absolutely loads to do in and around Portishead, plus handy transport links a short walk from the marina.
Get outside
The Portishead to Clevedon coastal path is a must for avid walkers, offering some stunning views and a few “watering holes” on the route. There’s also a bus if you don’t fancy walking both ways!
The Portbury Whard Nature Reserve is also worth checking out. This 150-acre nature reserve is filled with sea birds in particular, but visitors can also spot water voles, great crested newts, dragonflies, birds of prey, and much more. The wildflower meadow is especially beautiful and a haven for butterflies and other insects, while the hedgerows and scrubby woodland make a wonderful playground for birds and mammals. Try their Monthly Spotting Cards to make your visit more interactive and exciting.
Battery Point is another lovely spot overlooking the Bristol Channel and just a few minutes walk from Portishead Marina. Image: PS Copywriting
Exercise
The Portishead Lido is infamous in the area and a favourite spot for swimmers and sunbathers alike. Located just 10 minutes walk from the marina, opposite the boating pond and cricket pitch (also worth visiting), the Lido also offers a lovely bar/café on-site with views of Sugar Loaf Bay.
Food and drink
There are some truly lovely bars, restaurants, and cafes surrounding Portishead Marina, so visitors will be spoilt for choice! Some highlights include:
And, of course, who can forget The Posset Cup (we love a walkable Wetherspoon!) and McDonald’s, both just a short walk from the marina gate?
For a more casual experience, you’ll also find a Mokoko Coffee & Bakery and Costa Coffee near the lock.
Events
There’s almost always something happening at Portishead Marina, and with such a vibrant and friendly atmosphere, you’ll always feel welcome to join in!
You can view the marina’s events calendar online. To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some of the events the marina hosted for 2024:
- End of Season Buffet & Dance - Feb
- Season Opener BBQ - April
- Portishead Shanty Festival - May
- Eat Portishead Food Festival - Aug
- Portishead Arts Festival - Sept
- Carols on the Quay - Dec
Portishead Cruising Club
The Portishead Cruising Club is a popular sailing club that attracts passionate yacht racers across the Bristol Channel. With annual races, including the Shangai Cup and Holms Race, and a knowledgeable and friendly community, locals and visitors alike will have a great time at this yacht club.
Not sure how to pick a yacht club or sailing club? Check out our guide to choosing the right one for your needs and interests.
Paddleboarding
Whether you’re an experienced paddleboarder or getting on a board for the first time, Portishead is home to the Portishead Sup Co, teaching stand-up paddleboarding to locals of all ages. For more experienced Sup-ers, the Sup Co also offers group paddles and social events to join.
Gone fishing
Aspiring and avid anglers will love the Portishead Small Boat & Angling Club. This club is full of local fishing enthusiasts who are dedicated to sharing their expertise on the Bristol Channel and the art of catching fish. Many members have 50+ years of experience fishing in these waters and all the tips you could possibly need for an exceptional fishing experience.
And if you’re not already an expert angler yourself, don’t forget to check out our guide to boat fishing in the UK.
Review:
Portishead Marina is a haven for mariners of all shapes and sizes. A welcome respite from the Bristol Channel; there’s so much to see and do here that it’s worth a visit all on its own! Excellent transport links make it a much simpler destination than struggling all the way down the Avon to Bristol, but you might find you’re quite content just staying in Portishead after all.
It’s refreshing to find a marina that actually does things well. From showers that you can control the temperature of and WiFi you can connect to, to large laundry facilities and plenty of clubs serving up local knowledge, this really does feel like a marina being run by people who are using the marina and know what boaters need.
The convenience of grocery shops, the abundance of information, and the variety of places to eat and drink make Portishead beyond convenient. Especially for the weary traveller who just wants to sleep, eat, and refuel.
And I’ve not even mentioned some of the beautiful walks, nature reserve, and Portishead Lido, giving you plenty of opportunity to get outdoors, get some exercise, or just relax.
Although we initially visited Portishead out of necessity, it was a beautiful marina and a welcome retreat. One we’ll definitely return to! Image: PS Copywriting
Would you stay again?
It’s been some time since I visited Portishead Marina, and, if I’m being honest, we only stayed there because the Bristol lock was broken when we were due to visit. However, there is so much to see and do at Portishead that it’s a worthy destination in its own right. When I was researching for this review, I was also really impressed by some of the upgrades the marina has clearly enjoyed over the last few years, and I’m always looking for marinas with bathtubs!
So, yes, I would certainly stay here again. And I'm actively looking forward to my next visit.
Opie’s Opinion
As you all know by now, we can’t close these marina reviews without a word from our fluffiest passenger. So, here’s what Opie the boat cat has to say:
"I really liked Portishead marina. The pontoons were sturdy and the marina was nice and quiet, with no rude fishing vessels making waves inside the marina and disturbing my sleep! I didn’t go out of the marina, as it’s quite concrete and built up for me, but I was very relaxed and happy sunbathing on the sprayhood, sticking my tongue out at all the dogs walking past on the shore!"
Opie found Portishead Marina suitably relaxing (although the sunshine may have helped sway his review)!
Next Steps
Fancy getting out on the water near Portishead? Take a look at boats for sale in Bristol and Somerset right here at boats.com! And don’t forget to read our guide to the best boats for exploring tidal waters before making your selection.
Planning your own boating adventure around the UK? Check out some of our other articles in Pippa Shaw’s Marina Review series and know what to expect everywhere you plan to moor up:
