Portishead, small town and par. with ry. sta., Somerset, on estuary of the Severn, 10 miles W. of Bristol by rail, 2388 ac. (295 water), pop. 2730; P.O., T.O., 1 Bank. Portishead, popularly Posset, stands under wooded hills, and has rapidly risen in favour as a watering-place; it has a hotel, marine baths, and many fine villas. During the season there is daily communication by steamer with Bristol. On Portishead Point are the remains of a fort taken by Fairfax in 1645, and traces of an ancient camp are in vicinity.

(John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887))