Portishead is a coastal town in North Somerset, with a population of 21,000.
Portishead's history dates back to Roman times. Its name derives from the 'port at the head of the river', having been called Portshead and Portschute at times in its history and Portesheve in the Domesday Book, and was locally known as Posset. The town was built on the mouth of a small tributary; the High Street once met the water at the top of the river. Iron rings, evidence of where the old fishing boats used to moor can still be seen today on the street's stone walls.