Miners to the dock at Birnbeck Pier. On an average August Bank Holiday 15,000 passengers would arrive on the steamers, however Portishead had either a Horse and Cart, or a small train which couldn’t hold many people.
Another Reason Weston grew was because of health. By the middle of the 18th century, Dr Russell began to think that drinking, and bathing in, sea-water was good for your health and for the inhabitants of Bristol and Bath, Weston was the nearest coastal village within distance. Portishead had to offer Sea-water baths and also the Saltings Bath House.
Another reason Weston prospered was Attractions both Natural and Man-Made. Weston had Bathing Machines, during the 18th century most people bathed naked. For this reason the sheltered cove at Anchor Head was chosen as Weston's first bathing place for ladies. The bathing machine was invented, this was a hut on wheels. The bather entered and, as the machine was drawn down to the sea by a horse, they changed into a bathing dress. They were then able to go down the steps directly into the water. Another main attraction was Birnbeck Pier. Birnbeck Pier was
completed in 1867. Birnbeck Pier was the only pier to be
connected to land, it was connected to Knightstone Island. In 1890 Birnbeck pier offered, alpine railway, shooting gallery, park swings, merry go round, tea and coffee rooms, bar, bandstand, photographic studios, switchback, water chute, flying machine, helter skelter, maze, bioscope, cake walk and zigzag slide, Lifeboat Station and much more. Weston also had Attractions on the beach such as the Donkeys. Weston also had Natural attractions such as the long and shallow beach so the tide came in slowly. Portishead mainly accommodated for higher class people. Some of Portishead attractions were the quiet relaxing walks in the wood and the Saltings bath house.
Investment was another reason Weston grew instead of Portishead. Whilst Weston was getting developed by Parsley and Cox who were building hotels and boarding houses and Eugenius Bert who constructed Birnbeck Pier, Portishead remained under control of Bristol City Council who wanted to keep the land and make Portishead more of an Industrial Village.
Modern Weston is now a mixed economy town, still reliant upon tourism, but with increasing dependence on industry. Weston Super Mare Population is currently at 20,000 but remains in the shadow of the rising seaside Villages in Brighton.
In conclusion I believe that Weston prospered because of those four main factors. Weston got more attention and development than Portishead so it became more popular during the up rise of seaside holidays.
