Portishead facts for kids
This article is about the town. For the band with the same name, see Portishead (band).
Quick facts for kids Portishead |
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 Portishead viewed from Naish Hill |
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 Portishead
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| Population | 22,000 |
| OS grid reference | ST470764 |
| Civil parish | |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BRISTOL |
| Postcode district | BS20 |
| Dialling code | 01275 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Avon |
| Ambulance | Great Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Portishead is a town located by the sea in North Somerset, England. Around 22,000 people live there today.
The town has a long history, going all the way back to Roman times. Its name means 'port at the head of the river'. This is because the town was built where a small river met the sea. The main road in Portishead used to end right at the water's edge. Many buildings in the town have a beautiful Victorian style.
Contents
Portishead's Dock and Railways
Portishead Dock History
In the 1860s, during a time when iron and steel were very important, a pier and a dock were built in Portishead. These were made for large ships that found it hard to reach Bristol Harbour.
Ships would bring in valuable goods from all over the world. They would also take items made in Portishead to other countries. Many of these ships carried coal. In the 1880s, the Portishead Dock was bought by Bristol Corporation. It was managed as part of the Port of Bristol until it closed in 1992.
Portishead Power Stations
Two large power stations were built near the dock in Portishead. They used coal to make electricity.
The first power station started making electricity in 1929. It provided power for the Bristol area. This power station was made even bigger in 1948. A second power station began construction in 1949 and started producing electricity in 1955.
These power stations used some coal from the nearby Somerset Coalfield. This coal was brought to the power stations by train on the Portishead Railway. This railway line first opened on 12 April 1867. It reached the dock on 5 July 1879.
The first power station closed in 1976. The second one closed a few years later in 1982.
Train Stations in Portishead
Portishead used to have two train stations for people. One main station was in the town centre. The other was located near the pier.
When the second power station was built, the first train station had to be moved. A new station opened on the main street of Portishead on 2 January 1954. However, this new station closed just ten years later, on 7 September 1964. Many people who live in Portishead today hope that the train station will be opened again soon.
See also
In Spanish: Portishead para niños
