Spinnaker Tower

The basics

Spinnaker Tower is Portsmouth’s most recognizable site and a featured stop on many tours of the city’s naval history and shipyards. General admission tickets give access to viewing decks and the glass-floored Sky Walk. Adventurous visitors can rappel down the side of the building or book high tea in the Clouds Cafe, which is 345 feet (105 meters) above the waterfront. Tickets include all-day access, allowing you to check out the changing light from sunrise to sunset.

Things to know before you go

• While the main View Deck and Clouds Cafe are wheelchair accessible, the open-sided Sky Deck can only be reached via stairs.

• Most visitors spend about 40 minutes at Spinnaker Tower.

• Views are guaranteed. If you can’t see beyond the three Solent Forts, you can request a free return visit on another day.

How to get there

Spinnaker Tower is located on the Portsmouth waterfront, within the Gunwharf Quays shopping center. It’s easy to reach via public transit. Intercity trains arrive at the next-door Portsmouth Harbour railway station, and both local and regional buses stop at the Hard Interchange just outside Gunwharf Quays. Portsmouth Harbour Station Pier is .3 miles (.5 kilometers) away, and car parking is available in the underground Gunwharf Quays lot.

When to get there

The Spinnaker Tower is open daily, with final admission 30 minutes before closing. Sunset is a beautiful time to visit, as evening light illuminates the surrounding coast, historic landmarks, and islands. If you’re hoping to rappel down the exterior of Spinnaker Tower, visit between April and September.

Things to do in Portsmouth Harbour

Some of the best things to do in Portsmouth cluster along the same walkable stretch of waterfront as Spinnaker Tower and Gunwharf Quays. It’s a .4-mile (.6-kilometer) stroll from the tower entrance to the steam- and sail-powered HMS Warrior 1860. Walk three minutes farther, and you’ll reach the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and then the National Museum of the Royal Navy.