Shipspotting at Portishead

[Robert J Smith]

Hi,

I will be working in the Bristol area in the near future and hope to grab a couple of hours and visit Portishead, can anyone tell me the best vantage point to photograph vessels to and from Avonmouth & Royal Portbury? Also, is there a website that lists the ship movements?

Thanks in advance

Bob

[Ian Thomas]

Not being from Bristol myself Bob, I have seen a lot of photos taken from Battery Point, Portishead of shipping in and out of Avonmouth & the Royal Portbury Docks also a link to ships arriving & departing here : http://www.bristolport.co.uk/shipping-information/ hope the info helps you and good shipspotting.

Regards
Ian Thomas

[Peter Christian Olsen]

Evening Bob , I don't know if anyone has been in touch with you yet but as regards location you need to head for Battery Point , a recreational area down at the water-line , I wouldn't call it a beach ! As regards shipping information ; www.bristolport.co.uk , and just follow the prompts . Regards Peter

[Robert J Smith]

Thanks guys, Battery Point it is then 

Regards

Bob

ps. thanks also for the link.

[john mccorquodale]

Bob

If I'm not too late......
On the Bristol Port Company website in the Forward Movements section there is a column A-PO, this is the arriving ship pilot order time. Ships generally take 1.5 to 2 hours to get from the pilot station (at Breaksea) to Battery Point. If you look also in the In-Dock section then again look for PO Time, a ship will take between 35 mins to an hour to leave from the lock into the estuary.
Whilst Battery Point is a good viewing spot, I prefer the Royal Inn (Pier Road, Portishead) which overlooks both Avonmouth and Portbury. Beer and food are very good :-)

John (Deputy Haven Master)

[Robert J Smith]

Thanks John,

I was in the area on Tuesday, weather was misty & damp (and nothing showing on "forward movements" for the 5th) so I opted to have a look round Bristol Docks instead and visited the SS Great Britain.
Pity I didn't know of the Royal Inn, might have been a better option 

Regards

Bob