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Spinnaker Tower

Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower opened in October 2005 and has exceeded all expectations attracting over 200,000 visitors to date. The tower's distinctive sail design can be seen for miles around.  It has changed Portsmouth's skyline forever and is a new icon for the city and the region.

The 170m high Spinnaker Tower, the tallest publicly accessible building in the UK outside London, has been built within Gunwharf Quays, the award-winning waterfront development beside the city's world-famous historic dockyard. This viewing tower offers fabulous views across Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent and provides a whole new perspective on one of the nation's most important stretches of water.

The tower was built as part of the Renaissance of Portsmouth Harbour scheme at a cost of £35.6 million, with contributions of £15 million from the Millennium Commission and £8.9 million from Berkeley with the remainder coming from Portsmouth City Council. The Tower was built in the sea and employed many cutting-edge engineering techniques, its construction was described on Radio 4 as 'one of the most important engineering projects of the decade'. It has already brought new interest, investment and spend to the city, with 85% of the visitors to the tower coming from outside of Portsmouth, many from overseas.

Visitors can explore the three viewing platforms at 100m, 105m and 110m. They can choose to ascend by a high-speed internal lift travelling at four metres per second or by an external glass lift which provides panoramic views. Each deck offers stunning wrap-round views through floor-to-sky glass windows. 

View Deck One boasts the largest glass floor in Europe and gives new meaning to the term "walking on air". Daring visitors can look down to the water and yachts below. Visitors can clearly see the harbour, Isle of Wight and the city laid out before them. Interpretation panels pick out many of the points of interest and attractions that can be seen, including Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory and the distinctive HMS Warrior.

On a clear day you can see up to 23 miles away and visitors to View Deck Two can use interactive displays to learn more about the harbour and the history that surrounds them. View Deck Three is open to the elements and visitors can feel the wind in their hair. Talking telescopes provide a different perspective on the scene below.

At the base of the tower is a cafe-bar and terrace which faces the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour. This stays open throughout the day and into the evening, then after dark the tower is lit to stunning effect and can be clearly seen from sea and land.

The Spinnaker Tower is a fitting addition to Portsmouth's skyline. It's sail shape celebrates the city's rich maritime character and is bringing generations of new visitors to the waterfront to enjoy a new perspective on Portsmouth and its harbour.

Telephone: +44 (0)23 9285 7520
Fax: +44 (0)23 9229 8726
Website: www.spinnakertower.co.uk

Address: The Spinnaker Tower, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3TT.

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