Portbury today remains a quiet, self contained Village comprising some 500 dwellings. There is an active community centred on both the Village Hall and St Mary’s Church and the local hostelry, The Priory, attracts many visitors throughout the year and at all times of day. There are many diverse social activities in the Village, taking place either in the Village Hall or the Church and many visitors are attracted each year to walk in Priors Wood, especially in early May when the bluebell crop is resplendent as it clings to the shady banks of the many subtle valleys that run up towards Charlton Farm and the Downs School near to Lower Failand. As one walks around the main centre of the Village there is little evidence of the impact of developments such as the M5 motorway or the docks. The street scene is very tranquil, with little through traffic outside the “rush hours”, other than that passing along the winter road to Clapton or turning up Mill Lane towards Failand. At certain points in the Village the backcloth of the docks is more evident, particularly from higher ground of Mill Lane, but this is partly masked on both sides by the Mount and Conygar Hill. The slightly higher ground gives distant views to the North and West of the Welsh Hills with the River Severn in the foreground. Only a short distance up Mill Lane the view changes as the road swings westward and the scene is then completely rural all the way to the Parish boundary at the end of the Sheepway.

Guests wishing to explore close to home have National Trust property Tyntesfield Estate and Noahs Ark Zoo Farm both a little over one mile away, walkers have some beautiful countryside right on the doorstep with plenty of footpaths and with an abundance of wildlife, photographers will have plenty of subjects to snap. We have several types of Owl who can be clearly heard at night and for human night owls the clean countryside air and clear skies give stunning displays of stars to wish upon. In addition the local town of Portishead offers many interesting coastal walks and adventures (including it’s own marina and lock gates) and with excellent shopping facilities.