Spinnaker Tower Portsmouth with Kids
What is the Emirates Spinnaker Tower?
*We were gifted our tickets to the Emirates Spinnaker Tower but all opinions are our own.* Thanks for coming to read our article on the iconic Spinnaker Tower Portsmouth with Kids. Towering high about the City of Portsmouth on the south coast of England, this 170m tall tower is a focal point of the City with breathtaking views.
The Tower represents a sail billowing in the wind, a design accomplished by using two large, white, sweeping metal arcs, creating a spinnaker sail design. This was chosen by Portsmouth Residents in a poll back in 1998. However, it wasn’t until 2005, after years of delays, that the Tower was finally complete.
What’s it like at the Tower?
The super fast internal lift wizzes you up to the viewing decks in what feels like seconds (it’s actually 30 seconds, traveling at a speed of 4 metres per second).
From the top you can see 23 mile views over Portsmouth Harbour, the city, the Solent, the South Downs and the Isle of Wight. Even when you visit on a drizzly day like we did the views are still brilliant, and there are helpful guides on the viewing platform to help you know what you are looking at.
There is also a small sky garden on the highest level of the tower, which is exposed to the open air and I expect would be gorgeous on a sunny day. Fortunately the rain had stopped when we got up there so we did enjoy a little bit of the energising sea breeze.
Where is it?
SPINNAKER TOWER
GUNWHARF QUAYS
PORTSMOUTH
HAMPSHIRE
UNITED KINGDOM
PO1 3TT
How do I get there?
We got the train to Portsmouth and the Portsmouth Harbour Station is within a 5 minute walk to the Spinnaker Tower. It is also situated next to the Portsmouth Ferry Terminal from where you can get boats to the Isle of Wight or Gosport. There is a large underground car park at Gunwharf Quays.
For other ways to reach the Tower check here.
Tickets and Prices
Adult £13.95
Child (0-3 years)FREE no ticket required
Child (4-15 years) £10.50
Senior (60+ years) £12.95
Student £12.95
Family
2 adults + 2 children/
1 adult + 3 children £48.80
Click here to book online. If you can’t see the Solent Forts on the day of your visit you can rebook for free, click here for details.
Opening Times
General Admissions:
Monday to Thursday
10.30am to 6.00pm (last admissions 5.30pm)
General Admissions:
Friday to Sunday
10am to 6.00pm (last admissions 5.30pm)
Spinnaker Kitchen & Bar:
Monday to Sunday
10am – 6.00pm
Opening Times can change due to weather or other extenuating circumstances. Be sure to check before you travel.
What can I do at the Spinnaker Tower?
Well that depends on how much of an adrenalin rush you want! There is the amazing glass sky walk which is a glass floor that the girls found fascinating which gives you views down to the ground below. It says it can hold the weight of a 2 black Rhinos (288 stone) so I figured we’d be safe!
If you fancy something a bit more luxurious how about booking yourself in for Afternoon Tea or Brunch High Tea on the dedicated floor ‘The Clouds’.
For those after a real hair raising experience there is the abseiling days on which you can abseil down from the top of the tower. Descending 100 metres down the outside of the tower, you will be afforded the most beautiful views of Portsmouth and the Solent.
There are also many more things you can do at Spinnaker Tower, including a number of great evening events such as Tribute music Nights, getting married (what a stunning venue!) or Comedy Nights.
Back down at sea level, before you leave be sure to browse the lovely shop on the ground floor.
Food and Drink
We didn’t eat on our visit to the Spinnaker Tower but the Spinnaker Kitchen and Bar on the ground floor is a gorgeous waterfront café and looked fantastic with beautiful views out over the harbour.
What else is there to do nearby?
Spinnaker Tower is located within Gunwharf Quays which is a fantastic Designer Outlet Shopping complex. Pick yourself up a bargain while you are there or head to the VUE Cinema or Hollywood Bowl Bowling Complex.
About a 5 minute walk away is the fantastic Portsmouth Historic Dockyards, home to the Mary Rose, HMS Victory and HMS Warrior, which is a brilliant place to include in your visit to Portsmouth.
Summary
Thanks for reading our blog Spinnaker Tower Portsmouth with Kids, we hope you found it useful. We had a fantastic visit to the Spinnaker Tower and really enjoyed the stunning views, we would love to go back and enjoy afternoon tea there. If you’d like to find out a bit more about our visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard click here.
