Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth (must see)
Spinnaker Tower is a 560-foot-high observation tower in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. It is the main component in the redevelopment of Portsmouth Harbour. It is tall enough to be seen from the Isle of Wight, Worthing, and Dorset. Two wide white metal arcs create the image of an inflated spinnaker sail.
The Spinnaker Tower has three observation platforms, offering a 37-mile panoramic view of Portsmouth. The highest, Sky Deck, is open to the elements. The first viewing deck has a glass floor (don't look down). The sail-shaped truss structure is supported by conjoined twin towers meeting at a pinnacle at the top.
The Spinnaker Tower is served by an internal elevator. An external lift, although an adventure, proved to be impracticable, if not risky. Over 600,000 people visited the Tower in its first year of operation. In June 2018, the Tower opened a freefall ride to the public. It featured a freefall bungee drop into a crash net.
The Spinnaker Tower has three observation platforms, offering a 37-mile panoramic view of Portsmouth. The highest, Sky Deck, is open to the elements. The first viewing deck has a glass floor (don't look down). The sail-shaped truss structure is supported by conjoined twin towers meeting at a pinnacle at the top.
The Spinnaker Tower is served by an internal elevator. An external lift, although an adventure, proved to be impracticable, if not risky. Over 600,000 people visited the Tower in its first year of operation. In June 2018, the Tower opened a freefall ride to the public. It featured a freefall bungee drop into a crash net.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Portsmouth. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Spinnaker Tower on Map
Sight Name: Spinnaker Tower
Sight Location: Portsmouth, England (See walking tours in Portsmouth)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Portsmouth, England (See walking tours in Portsmouth)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Portsmouth, England
Create Your Own Walk in Portsmouth
Creating your own self-guided walk in Portsmouth is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Dockyard Tour
The naval theme has always been dominant for Portsmouth. Most of the city's historic events are in one way or another associated with its seaside location. Portsmouth's Historical Dockyard is the area that offers a glimpse into the city's maritime past.
The very first notable landmark here is Victory Gate, the dockyard's main entrance. Inside, visitors will find HMS... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
The very first notable landmark here is Victory Gate, the dockyard's main entrance. Inside, visitors will find HMS... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
Famous English Writers Walking Tour
Jane Austen was born in 1775 in Steventon, North Hampshire. In her day, Portsmouth was a rough-edged seaport filled with people she considered "underbred." Nevertheless, she often traveled to Portsmouth to visit her brothers Francis and Charles, stationed there with the Royal Navy. Austen included Royal Naval characters in her novels, Persuasion and Mansfield Park.
Charles Dickens was... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Charles Dickens was... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Portsmouth Introduction Walking Tour
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle claims a warrior named Port and his two sons killed a noble Briton in Portsmouth in 501 AD. Winston Churchill, in his "A History of the English-Speaking Peoples," wrote that Port was a pirate who founded Portsmouth in the same year.
King AEthelwulf sent a force to drive off Viking raiders in Portsmouth in the 9th century. The Danes loved Portsmouth, but they... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
King AEthelwulf sent a force to drive off Viking raiders in Portsmouth in the 9th century. The Danes loved Portsmouth, but they... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles