Spinnaker Tower Tower
Landmark 170m tower offering panoramic views of Portsmouth
170-metre observation tower on Portsmouth's waterfront at Gunwharf Quays, with viewing decks and a glass-floor section. Visitors come for wide views over the Solent, the harbour and the city skyline.
Spinnaker Tower at a Glance#
Address: Spinnaker Tower, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth PO1 3TT, UK
Website: https://www.spinnakertower.co.uk/
Hours: Visitor hours vary seasonally - check the official site for today’s opening times
Admission: Adult admission approximately £11-£14 (varies); check official site for up‑to‑date pricing
About Spinnaker Tower#
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.
Weather & Climate near Spinnaker Tower#
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).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 3° - 8° | 1° | 90 mm | overcast | 94% | 5.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 59 mm | overcast | 92% | 5.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.9h |
| March | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 4° | 65 mm | partly cloudy | 88% | 5.3 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Good | 5° - 13° | 6° | 49 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 4.9 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.6h |
| May | Very Good | 8° - 16° | 12° | 46 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.8 m/s | 1.3 high | 15.3h |
| June | Very Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 53 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.5 m/s | 1.5 very high | 16.2h |
| July | Very Good | 13° - 22° | 17° | 42 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 4.6 m/s | 1.5 very high | 15.7h |
| August | Very Good | 13° - 21° | 17° | 52 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.5 m/s | 1.2 high | 14.3h |
| September | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 69 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.8 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 8° - 15° | 12° | 85 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.6h |
| November | Acceptable | 5° - 11° | 5° | 91 mm | overcast | 92% | 5.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
| December | Acceptable | 4° - 9° | 3° | 90 mm | overcast | 94% | 5.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 7.9h |
