12 November 2025

Portishead is a lively coastal town that blends modern charm with timeless seaside appeal, attracting visitors both by land and sea. Set against a picturesque Victorian backdrop, its bustling quayside is lined with restaurants, craft beer pubs and family-friendly spaces, creating a welcoming destination with a proud maritime heritage and a friendly community spirit that extends from the waterfront to the town itself.

Surrounded by open sailing waters, a peaceful nature reserve and scenic coastal paths, Portishead Marina is perfectly placed for exploration and relaxation alike. Just a short stroll away, you’ll find the landmark Lido, the scenic promenade, and a variety of independent shops and bars along the Quay, making it an ideal haven for sailors and visitors of all kinds.

As part of the national boating business Boatfolk and the Premier Marinas family, Portishead Marina provides a great place for anyone who wants to spend time on or by the water and is one of 22 first-choice locations for boating enthusiasts across the UK.

Officially opened in 2001, Portishead Marina is a 5 Gold Anchor accredited marina with 356 fully serviced berths catering for boats up to 28m. Secure in all weathers, the marina boasts excellent facilities including an array of fabulous shops and bars, luxurious washrooms and toilets, free Wi-Fi, a secure boatyard, full service boatcare team, and onsite boatpoint boat brokerage office. All with a buzzing community and wonderfully dog friendly!  

Things to see and do

Happy and relaxed, with a Mediterranean feel, Portishead Marina is at the heart of a vibrant community and perfect for a weekend getaway or longer stay. The local area has a selection of beautiful walks from the Marina. Enjoy the Portishead to Clevedon coastal path from the northern tip of the Marina down to the old town of Clevedon, an easy-going route with fabulous views and a number of watering holes along the way. Or head north from the Marina’s car park for an easy circular walk around Portsbury Wharf Nature Reserve, an attractive 113-acre site with a number of bird hides perfect for spotting a variety of wildlife.

Portishead may not be a beach town, but it still has a great holiday vibe with a fabulous public outdoor pool, promenade, Edwardian boating lake and park, and National Trust houses close by.

If you fancy an al-fresco swim and a spot of sunbathing, Portishead’s Lido is just a 10-minute walk from the Marina on the lake grounds opposite the boating pond, with a lovely café onsite and beautiful views of Sugar Loaf Bay. Open from April to September, the water is heated to a cosy 28 degrees with a toddler pool also available on warm days.

Slightly further afield you’ll find the National Trust property, Tyntesfield, an ornate Victorian Gothic Revival house with extensive garden and parkland, just 15 minutes from the marina. As well as the house, which is richly decorated with a collection of over 72,000 objects, the estate is set on 540 acres of historic land that includes woodland and orchard, a chapel, play areas including a den building village and a café serving meals, snacks and drinks.

Back at Portishead Marina there's always something happening with a lively and exciting events calendar throughout the summer including regular cruise with company weekends and evenings taking sailors and motorboat enthusiasts alike to  local cruising grounds and partner marinas. Not to be missed the annual bertholders’ summer party always provides the marina community with a fun memory or two.

On the water, the Bristol Channel attracts a vibrant community of passionate yacht racers with exciting annual races such as the Shanghai Cup and the Holms Race attracting enthusiasts to Portishead for an exhilarating weekend of competitive sailing. For those looking to venture into yacht racing in the Channel, the Portishead Cruising Club offers a treasure trove of knowledge and expertise in a friendly and informal setting, for families, couples and individuals alike.

And no visit to Portishead Marina would be complete without enjoying the tranquil waters of the River Avon and a journey underneath the amazing Clifton Suspension Bridge, one of the most photographed spots in Britain.

Dining at Portishead Marina

After a day of adventuring at sea or on land, Portishead offers an array of fantastic places to eat, drink, relax or celebrate.

Enjoy a sundowner at Aqua dining & cocktail bar, a modern contemporary restaurant on the southern end of the Marina, offering great views and a wonderful afternoon sun trap on the outdoor terrace. Open every day with an all-day dining experience, you can enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner with freshly prepared and sustainably sourced dishes using the finest ingredients.

For the perfect spot to watch the world and boats go by, head to Hall & Woodhouse on Chandlery Square, a contemporary pub restaurant built from converted shipping containers and offering beautiful views over the Marina. Serving up leisurely lunches on the nautically inspired outdoor terrace, hearty Sunday roasts, and delightful evening meals in the candlelit upstairs restaurant, you can be sure you will be greeted with style, charm and a warm welcome.

Or if great craft bears and artisan pizzas whet your appetite, head to The Port, a real hidden gem just a 10-minute walk from the Marina.

Caring for your boat or looking for something new?

Even though Portishead Marina is located in the heart of a modern residential area, it boasts ample ground space with a secure boatyard and everything you need, from lifting to repairs.

Through boatfolk’s dedicated boatcare team you can enjoy the convenience of onsite marine engineers, boat repair experts, and boat care providers. With a secure, fully serviced yard and a powerful boat hoist capable of effortlessly lifting boats weighing up to 35 tonnes, the boatcare team can help with anything from valeting and cleaning to GRP repairs and antifouling, to ensure your boat remains in pristine condition.

If you are looking to buy, or when the time comes to sell your boat, the team are on-hand to help you find your perfect match through boatfolk’s dedicated boat sales business, boatpoint. As the UK’s largest boat broker there is sure to be the right boat for you.

Responsibility to the planet

The boatfolk team believes that through people and places they can inspire, educate and influence behaviours to make a positive impact on the marine environment and the planet. Each of boatfolk’s marinas has a dedicated environmental mascot, with species from cuttlefish to seahorses, and a mission to protect their habitat, as well as educate others to ensure they continue to thrive for years to come.

Portishead Marina’s mascot is the Curlew, a very large, tall wading bird now regarded as the most pressing bird conservation priority in the UK, which holds a quarter of the world's population. Identified by their mottled brown and grey feathers and long, blueish legs, you may be able to spot a Curlew around Portbury Wharf Salt Marsh right on the Marina’s doorstep, as it provides an important foraging site, especially in winter because it doesn’t freeze over.

Easy to get to

Located only a short distance from Bristol it is no surprise that Portishead is easily accessible by road and rail, although arriving by boat is always best.

The marina is situated at 51.49 degrees N and 2.76 degrees W, with the lock entrance approximately 1NM south west of the mouth of the River Avon and Royal Portbury Dock. On approach contact Channel 80 to be advised of the next available lock. Locking times and tide tables can also be found at www.boatfolk.co.uk. It’s worth noting that the lock is 40m x 9m.

Portishead has great access to the motorway network, located just three miles from Junction 19 of the M5, or if travelling by rail, mainline stations at Bristol Temple Meads, Bristol Parkway, Nailsea and Yatton give access to the UK rail network. Portishead is due to have its own railway station in 2025 connecting to the mainline rail network at Bristol Temple Meads.

A warm welcome to a great place

Lively and laid-back, you are sure of a warm welcome and an enjoyable stay at Portishead Marina. Whether relaxing onboard or exploring the town and surrounding area, Portishead will undoubtedly become a firm favourite stop over.

For more information about Portishead marina by boatfolk, please visit www.boatfolk.co.uk