Spinnaker Tower | TravelDojo

The Spinnaker Tower is a 170 metre landmark observation tower on the waterfront at Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, England, completed and opened to the public in 2005.

Built as part of the early 21st century redevelopment of Portsmouth’s waterfront, the tower was completed in 2005 to serve as a landmark and visitor attraction for the regenerated Gunwharf Quays area. It has since been a focal point for tourism and local events on the harbour.

The Spinnaker Tower stands on the northern shore of Portsmouth Harbour in Hampshire, about 0.5 kilometres from Portsmouth Harbour railway station and within walking distance of the city centre and ferry terminals.

Viewing conditions: Best views are from the top of the tower on clear days when the Solent and the Isle of Wight are visible.
Access and location: Located adjacent to the Gunwharf Quays retail and leisure complex, ticketed entry is required for the observation decks.

How to Get to Spinnaker Tower #

Spinnaker Tower stands at Gunwharf Quays on Portsmouth Harbour. By train, use Portsmouth Harbour station - the tower is a 3-5 minute walk (about 200-400 m) from the station; Portsmouth & Southsea station is roughly a 15-20 minute walk (about 1 km) away.

By car follow the M27/A27 to the Portsmouth exits and follow signs for Gunwharf Quays/Harbour; parking is available at Gunwharf Quays. There are also regular ferry and bus connections into Portsmouth, and short foot/ferry links from Gosport to the harbour area.

Tips for Visiting Spinnaker Tower #

Visit the Spinnaker Tower at opening or late afternoon to avoid the busiest mid‑day periods and to catch sunset views across Portsmouth Harbour from the upper decks.
Approach via Portsmouth Harbour railway station and enter through the Gunwharf Quays precinct for the shortest walk and easiest access to the tower entrance and pre-book tickets online to reduce queueing.
Don't miss the glass-floor viewing section and the top deck panorama-these are the tower's highlights and can be busy, so plan your visit slot to allow time for both the indoor displays and the open-air viewing platforms.

Best Time to Visit Spinnaker Tower #

For clearer views with fewer people, visit on weekdays during spring or autumn; summer brings the largest crowds.

Weekday shoulder seasons (best for views & fewer crowds)

Mar-May, Sep-Nov · 8-18°C

Spring and autumn weekdays typically have lower visitor numbers and good visibility for views across the Solent.

Summer (busy)

Jun-Aug · 15-22°C

Warmer weather and peak tourism increase visitor numbers-expect queues at peak times and weekends.

Winter (clearer air, variable conditions)

Dec-Feb · 2-10°C

Crisper air can give good long-distance visibility, but conditions are colder and windier and visitor numbers are low.

Weather & Climate near Spinnaker Tower #

Climate

Spinnaker Tower's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 2°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (791 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 38 Good

Best Time to Visit

JulyAugustMay

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

34°

Warmest Month

-7°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

5°

Feels Like Cold

5°C

Temperature

3° – 8°

94%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

90 mm

Rainfall

5.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.4h daylight

February

February is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

5°

Feels Like Cold

5°C

Temperature

2° – 8°

92%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

59 mm

Rainfall

5.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.9h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

7°

Feels Like Cold

7°C

Temperature

4° – 10°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

65 mm

Rainfall

5.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.4

UV Index

Low

11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

64 Good

Comfort

9°

Feels Like Cold

9°C

Temperature

5° – 13°

84%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

49 mm

Rainfall

4.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.9

UV Index

Moderate

13.6h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

8° – 16°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

46 mm

Rainfall

4.8 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.3

UV Index

High

15.3h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

11° – 19°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

53 mm

Rainfall

4.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.5

UV Index

Very High

16.2h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

13° – 22°

74%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

42 mm

Rainfall

4.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.5

UV Index

Very High

15.7h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

13° – 21°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

52 mm

Rainfall

4.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.2

UV Index

High

14.3h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

11° – 19°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

69 mm

Rainfall

4.8 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.8

UV Index

Moderate

12.5h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

8° – 15°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

85 mm

Rainfall

5.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

10.6h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with 91 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

5° – 11°

92%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

91 mm

Rainfall

5.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.8h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

6°

Feels Like Cold

6°C

Temperature

4° – 9°

94%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

90 mm

Rainfall

5.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

7.9h daylight

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