Fittingly for a city so connected to the sea, Spinnaker Tower was designed and built in the 21st century with boats as its inspiration. It is named after the triangular sail at the front of a yacht. The resemblance is uncanny: a white needle protruding into the sky with an elegant line curving around it as if it is being blown by the wind. Rise more than 550 feet (170 meters) above Portsmouth for unbeatable views of the historic city before coming back to ground level for shopping and exploring.
Take a speedy lift to one of the three viewing decks, where you can see for miles around. Look south to spot the Isle of Wight and north for the hills of Hampshire. On the first deck, use the touch screen information points to find out more information about what you can see in every direction. Listen to one of the complimentary audio guides to understand the sights you’re seeing. Step out onto the dizzying Sky Deck and walk on floors of glass across a huge drop below.
On the second deck, stop for a snack at the Café in the Clouds, where you can have coffee and a pastry in front of miles of breathtaking landscapes. Wrap up warm for the third deck, which offers open-air views, with telescopes to help you see even farther. Your ticket to the tower guarantees you good views if cloud cover prevents you from seeing far enough, you can come back for free on another day.
Return to solid ground and take advantage of the tower's prime location. Shop for hours in the buzzing Gunwharf Quays and visit its contemporary art gallery. Nearby is Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard, where the HMS Victory and the Mary Rose are docked next to award-winning museums.
Find Spinnaker Tower next to Portsmouth Harbour train station. Its stunning design and formidable height make it impossible to miss.
