visiting portishead..what to do + where to go?

(Knowing nothing about whether this is your first time, what you expect, where you are from, whether you are driving, or how long you are staying)...

Portishead is a small town next to the sea with a Victorian heritage and a good sense of community. It is a mix of old, retirement town, and new, family/commuter town. 

As a huge fan of the band, your fiancee may know that this is the place Geoff Barrow spent most of his childhood and still visits as he still has family here.  Some might say that perhaps the depressive nature of his music was inspired by the town! Wikipedia has some more background on him.

I would recommend taking a walk around Lake grounds.  This is the reason the Victorian's liked the place so much. The beach is mainly mud as the Severn Estuary has the 2nd highest tidal range in the world so if you have an image of a Spanish seaside resort you will be way off the mark. If its raining and blowing a gale, put Glory Box on your headphones and sit in one of the bus shelters by the lake and it should sum up what it feels like to be a teenager in a small town!

If your fiancee is up to a walk along the costal path you can do this from the Lake Grounds and you will be close to the old site of 'Portishead Radio' (station) which remains well known in the shipping world and whose picture featured on the 'Third' album from Portishead (see Portishead Radio on Wikipedia).

Visit the marina for a walk.  The new development of Port Marine has community art work scattered around and is a better example of a new estate. It is built on the site of the old Power Station which only disappeared in the last 10-20 years.

From the Marina, starting at Waitrose wander into the High Street.  The Victorian element of the High Street can still be seen, some of the businesses here have been here for more than a generation, other newer shops are starting to appear catering to the newer, younger population. Its a lovely High St punching well above its weight in national 'In Bloom' competitions (even if during March this is not that evident).

To feel like a real local, cross the road at Cabstand lights (do not say to any local that you think they should turn the lights back on) but you can complain about the road lay out and the general speed of traffic and perhaps moan about the litter if you see any all of which will help you blend in.

Before you slump into Costa, try some of these independents, Morgan Westly to get a taste of an older shop that is amazingly diverse and whose family have appeared on TV in various programs, Hub and perhaps Glad Rags for womens clothes, Zebra or Bella Natura for something for your new baby, 7dials for a gift (baby, wedding and other occasions).  Buy something in these shops and mention you are from out of town but you love the band. See if they think you are talking about Portishead or this band, also from Portishead; tinyurl.com/ycjs76x There is also New Look, Pea****, Homebase where Nigel works (Google it!) and some other national chains but not many other non-food chains.

Food/drink, try the Royal (coast), Lockhouse or Jacks (marina) The Windmill (coast), all have nice views and maybe good food!

There is a Travel Lodge on the outskirts of the town if you don't want to know where you are staying, otherwise, try this: tinyurl.com/y8mp6oj which I think will be cheaper and far nicer.

If you are driving from Bristol here is the bands view of that drive: tinyurl.com/ycp59f6

I hope you have a nice stay.

The quality of some of the eateries in portishead does tend to vary depending on who the latest chef is at the time.
I've tried every place in the town, both old and new and the only one that always offers good food (at a reasonable price) is Antonio's Trattoria 18 high st. I've been eating there on and off for 15years and never had a bad meal or given any reason to complain.
However, getting a table can be difficult towards the end of the week, so it's always worth booking a table for a friday or saturday evening.
However for a more formal experience,there's Jack's at one end of the marina and the Lockhouse at the other.

There is a hidden gem in Portishead - the Thai restaurant in the precinct next to Iceland of all places. Truly delicious Thai food at inexpensive prices. Go there!
Also, on your walk along the coastal path to Clevedon, take in the sailing club in Sugarloaf Bay, if there is a race on that day you can stop off and have a coffee and enjoy the dinghy racing.