Gordano Civic Society
Copyright © 2022 Gordano Civic Society
Founded 1956
Power Stations
Portishead used to have two coal fired power stations which once dominated the landscape. The first, Portishead A was built in 1929 and the second, Portishead B in 1955. The last remains – the chimneys – were demolished in 1992.
Portishead and the Gordano area have a fascinating history from Domesday Book times through to Victorian docks, railways and industry.
Local History
About Portishead
Portishead has a brief mention in the Domesday Book of 1086, but settlements in the area go back to the Iron Age. At the heart of the town is the Victorian High Street. There are 37 listed buildings in the area.
Docks and Industry
The docks were built in the 19th century and various industries grew up around them. The docks are now a marina, and the petroleum and phosphorus plants and the timber wharfs are gone.
Portishead’s two railways
The first was the branch line from Bristol, which is currently closed to passenger traffic, but expected to reopen in 2026.
The second railway was the Weston, Clevedon & Portishead Light Railway which connected the three towns from 1907 until 1940.
For more local history see Posset Pieces
Gordano Civic Society Library >> Members may borrow books and DVDs from our library at our meetings.
Listed buildings
Portishead has four Conservation Areas and there is one in Weston-in-Gordano and one in Walton-in-Gordano. There are 37 listed buildings in the Portishead area.
Interpretation boards
The Society has erected interpretation boards at various locations.
Memorial Inscriptions
All the Memorial Inscriptions at St. Peter’s Parish Church, Portishead have been transcribed and can be searched. Over 4,400 names are recorded.
| Mhome |
| Interpretation |
| Weatherly |
| PS gates |
| Posset Pieces |
| Posset Pieces2 |
| Posset Pieces3 |
| Other publications - Gordano Civic Society |
| Portishead history |
| Power Stations |
| Phosphorus |
| Petroleum |
| B details |