Portishead Lighthouse to lighthouse

A lovely linear 3.5 mile walk along the coastal path in Portishead from Battery Point Lighthouse to Black Nore Lighthouse. There are numerous little pebble beaches to stop at along the way, including Sugar Loaf Beach which has a tidal pool.

We also highly recommend stopping at The Windmill Inn after, a dog friendly pub on route, where you are greeted with stunning views of the Bristol Channel from the terraced seating. It’s a particularly good spot to watch the sunset!

Walking directions 1. Park at the Portishead Lake Grounds, which has car parks or roadside parking available.

2. Start your walk at the first lighthouse – Battery Point, which is located near the Lido. The views are wonderful here. Do not let your dog enter the water in this area as there are strong currents and rocks. 3. Walk back on yourself, back down the steps to Woodhill Bay and Esplanade Road. You can walk along the beach here for a little while, but there is sinking mud on this beach so we recommend dogs do not enter the water here either. Exit the beach via the steps and walk along Esplanade Road, past some houses and uphill until you see a small sliproad to Kilkenny car park on your right. 4. Walk along the green, directly in front of the Bristol Channel and follow the edge until you see the coastal path appear. 5. The walk is quite easy from here, just follow the path until you reach Black Nore Lighthouse! There are a few little pebble beaches we stopped off at along the way as the tide was out. If the path looks like it splits, keep to the right hand side as this will just follow the coastline.

6. On the way back, we varied our route slightly by walking along the green after Sugar Loaf Beach, towards The Windmill Inn, where we stopped for dinner and drinks.

Hazel’s cold-water challenge for charity

Hazel Pattison, age 41 from Bristol, is taking on the Penguin Challenge and pledging to raise funds for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW). The Penguin Challenge requires participants to do 2 open water swims a month between November and March. Hazel is allowed to wear a wetsuit but has decided it will be more of a challenge to try and do 4 dips a month in a bikini!

Hazel has chosen to raise funds for CHSW having visited its local hospice, Charlton Farm near Bristol, before the pandemic. “I always try and do something for charity each year and a few years ago I ran the Bristol Half Marathon with a team from EE and we raised money for CHSW. Because of that we got to visit the hospice and I was overwhelmed with how amazing it was. Hospices are usually associated with sadness, and I can't ever imagine what the families are going through, however I also found it was a place of joy, fun and laughter. Since that visit I've wanted to help; last year my family and I walked up Scafell Pike and raised money for Charlton Farm. Signing myself up to the Penguin Challenge and raising money for the hospice will inspire me to keep me going through the chilly winter months.” 36 Hazel says she got into open water swimming through a friend: ‘’I’ve always loved the beach and always loved being in the sea - in the summer! I have friends in Clevedon who invited me up for a swim in September 2020, still balmy but with a hint of a nip. Then a friend contacted me to see if I would like to carry on with the dips/swims throughout the winter.”

Some friends think that Hazel is crazy to carry on the swims in the winter months, but she says it really helps her physical health: “Working from home meant my posture was rubbish, the cold water really soothed the aches and pains. Also, it does wonders for mental health, especially during lockdown. When were still allowed to meet our one person for exercise, I would meet a friend for a cold dip and a socially distanced cuppa afterwards! The feeling of getting into cold water is so invigorating and shocks you into a better mood.”

To support Hazel in her challenge you can donate to her fundraising page at by clicking the image above.

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