10/02/24 - A mooch around Portishead Good Beer Guide Pubs

 Finding our own way in North Somerset

I own quite the collection of walking books and magazines. Mrs M threatens a de-cluttering when we move house. We are not moving house. She then threatens skip-hire when I die.

From this massive collection of easily more than 10,000 potential routes in the UK, not a single one is focused on Portishead. I consult my aging OS Map for inspiration.

Of little use....

The town must have at least doubled in the last 30 years. The expanse of white space to the east of the docks is now full of new build accommodation. Should Mrs M get her way of moving house, it won't be to a new build. Just casual observation shows how quickly jauntily clad buildings discolour and don't get me started on the flashing.

Adventure Lab Caching eventually provides the inspiration needed for a circuit that neglected the old town centre. Public art installations around the Marina and then onto Battery Point for sea views.

Portishead Marina and the new builds

Public Art nodding to Portishead's phosphorous producing past

Sea Views at Battery Point

Picking up the North Somerset Coast Path, we walk past Marine Lake and reach one of the clues in the second ALC - The Windmill. We think its a cafe. In a case of planets aligning, it transpires to be;

• A Fuller's Pub
• That is open at 11am
• That is also in the Good Beer Guide
• And has successfully trained their staff in the dark arts of up-selling

We offer no resistance, our order for two coffees extended to include carrot cake and the finest sausage sandwich known to man.  

Still a tick, if only breakfast was consumed

No need for the dubious tick committee to be consulted for our next pub. Making it back to the Marina, we find the Siren's Calling. Hidden in plain sight between a posh chipper and the Co-op.

Jacket's off for the first outdoor pint of 2024

A perfect micro pub and easily my pub of the four GBG weekend. Inside, a deep red Chesterfield sofa spotted. Outside, a sun trap and perfect place to people watch. Knowledgeable staff that walked me through a wonderful selection of craft keg, traditional keg and a lot of Belgian and German choices.

I could have happily wiled away the afternoon before the evening's live music started at 9.

But we have Clevedon to visit.

Sunshine dictated a Good Chemistry Free Thinker from Bristol

Walk Details

Distance - 4 Miles

Geocaches - 2 x Adventure Lab Caches

Good Beer Guide Ticks - #931 and #932