For years we’ve watched the sail form of the Spinnaker Tower fade into the space as we set off from Portsmouth throughout the Solent to the Isle of Wight, and every time I puzzled what a go to up the Spinnaker Tower with children could be like.
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Lastly, with one other journey to Hampshire and the New Forest lined up for half-term, I acquired the prospect to seek out out, braving the glass ground on the first viewing stage and peeking out from the highest one at 110m up.
So if you happen to’re planning a go to to Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower with children, right here’s the whole lot you want to know earlier than you leap into their superfast raise.
Visiting the Spinnaker Tower with children
It generally appears that wherever you’re in Portsmouth, you get sudden glimpses of the 170m tall construction peeking above the opposite buildings, so whether or not you’re strolling from Gunwharf Quays or strolling from the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard as we had been, you’ll have a number of sights of the Spinnaker Tower earlier than you arrive.
I’ve at all times liked the sail-like form, excellent for a Portsmouth landmark given the town’s seafaring historical past, and with some blue skies breaking by means of the earlier weeks of October rain, we’d chosen a terrific day to go up.
As you stroll in, there’s a ‘Sail of the Solent’ introductory movie to begin off the go to, with a few of the historical past of Portsmouth, proper from Henry VIII and the Mary Rose by means of to extra trendy instances – my daughter was gripped, and would have fortunately sat and watched it by means of a second time.
However across the nook is the raise which takes you as much as the viewing decks – the high-speed raise is totally enclosed, so if you happen to hate these glass lifts which whisk you up tall buildings, you don’t want to fret.
And simply 28 seconds later – though it appears even sooner as you’re travelling at 4m per second – you’re at View Deck 1, and 100 metres above sea stage.
That is the primary viewing space, residence to the Spinnaker Tower’s well-known glass ground. Proper within the centre of the room, it’s a comparatively small part of ground, so if you wish to keep away from strolling on it, you’ll be able to.
There’s no approach my 11-year-old could possibly be persuaded onto it, however reassured by the truth that it could help the burden of two black rhino – a complete of 288 stone – I made a decision to danger it and after taking off my boots, edged slowly throughout, trying down on the sea beneath.
It’s truly made up of 4 panes of glass which helps to present it its power, however remains to be impressively clear to look by means of – a couple of children had been tiptoeing across the edge, others taking a brief stroll earlier than darting again.
Try my brief video for a style of strolling on the glass ground on the Spinnaker Tower
However whereas that’s positively a spotlight, of the go to (if you happen to courageous it!), it could’t evaluate to the spectacular views from the home windows throughout the aspect.
On a transparent day, they stretch for as much as 23 miles and you’ll see the Isle of Wight on the horizon – though not fairly so far as France, as some guests assume – in addition to the South Downs.
There are helpful indicators dotted round by the home windows with some extra info on what you’ll be able to see as properly – as quickly as you enter, trying alongside the coast, you’ll see HMS Warrior and out to the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
HMS Victory is underneath scaffolding so we couldn’t get a great glimpse of Nelson’s flagship however Warrior, the world’s largest warship when it launched within the mid nineteenth century, appeared nearly like a toy from 100m up.
Looking throughout the Solent, we may see ships zipping and chugging throughout the water in addition to the Solent forts within the distance and the waters which coated the Mary Rose wreck web site.
And across the headland, you’ll be able to see out throughout Portsmouth and alongside the coast the opposite approach so far as Southsea Fortress.
Heading over to the steps, the subsequent View Deck is 5m additional up, completely for The Clouds cafe the place you’ll be able to prebook afternoon tea (although we stopped in to have a fast peek out by means of their window whereas it was quiet).
After which onwards, previous an entire string of quirky details concerning the tower’s historical past, to the best viewing platform, the Sky Backyard at 110m.
There’s a bit Instagrammable backyard wall to pose in entrance of, a couple of deckchairs to sit down in, and open sections above the glass panels for the breeze to come back in – it’s a smaller viewing deck, and with a reasonably brisk October wind blowing, it wasn’t the day to hold round.
I can simply think about grabbing one of many seats on a sunny day and simply absorbing the views although.
As a result of in addition to trying nice from the skin, it’s properly price discovering time for a go to to the Spinnaker Tower with children to benefit from the inside this Portsmouth landmark as properly.
For extra issues to do in Portsmouth with children, try my high picks
The Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth: enjoyable details
The design for the Tower was chosen by Portsmouth residents round seven years earlier than the Tower was lastly full – the 2 sweeping arcs are designed to appear to be a spinnaker sail, giving the Tower its title.
Over 15,000 individuals have abseiled down the tower because it grew to become an choice in 2011 – the entire distance they’ve coated is bigger than the space from the Earth to the Worldwide House Station and again!
The concrete used to create the Tower would fill 5 and a half Olympic sized swimming swimming pools, and the metal used would stretch twice across the Isle of Wight. The structural metal used for the bows weighed 1,200 tonnes, the equal of 12 blue whales.
There are 570 steps from the bottom to View Deck 3. Fortunately, you received’t have to take them, though the Tower does generally have particular stair climb occasions.
Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth: Have to know
For those who’re planning to go to the Spinnaker Tower with children (or with out!), right here’s a few of the important info you want.
Tickets and opening hours
Customary all-day admission tickets value £14.75 for adults, and £11.50 for kids aged 4-15. Underneath-fours enter free. You may as well get household tickets for £51.00 (2 adults + 2 youngsters, or 1 grownup + 3 youngsters) in addition to concessions.
You may as well purchase annual passes from £25 for adults, so properly price doing if you happen to go to Portsmouth typically, or dwell almost. There are additionally tickets with free cancellation out there through Tiqets – guide by means of my hyperlink utilizing the code MUMMYTRAVELS6 for a reduction.
There are sometimes particular occasions and trails throughout faculty holidays that are included on the whole admission.
The tower is often open from 10-6pm on Friday-Sunday, from 10.30-6pm on different days – opening instances could fluctuate so do test earlier than you guide.
There aren’t any timed slots, your ticket is legitimate all day and you’ll return as many instances as you need through the day, so if you happen to fancy seeing the views at midday after which sundown, you’ll be able to.
How lengthy to spend
There’s no restrict on how lengthy you’ll be able to spend within the Spinnaker Tower after you arrive – by the point you’ve watched the introductory video, taken the raise as much as the primary ground to benefit from the views, walked on the glass ground and checked out the upper flooring, you’re prone to want round 30-45 minutes.
For those who plan to have afternoon tea on the second ground, or cease within the floor cafe afterwards, you’ll clearly want a bit longer, or if you wish to spend longer gazing out to sea, you are able to do so.
For those who’re wanting time, you can do the whole lot inside round half an hour, though any much less and also you’ll miss out on the expertise.
What if the climate is dangerous?
You’ll be able to’t at all times predict the climate – our forecast rain ended up being a pleasing, if barely cloudy, October day.
However if you happen to do go to with a prebooked ticket and you’ll’t spot all three Solent forts, you’ll be able to return without spending a dime – you want to converse to a Obligation Supervisor on the day if that’s the case (and the View Assure doesn’t apply to walk-up tickets).
If there are very excessive winds, the tower is designed to flex as much as 150mm – whereas it’s completely regular for it to take action (and obligatory in any other case it could begin to crack), you would possibly want to not expertise any slight swaying feeling.
Nonetheless, until the climate is extraordinarily dangerous, the tower doesn’t have a tendency to shut. Dramatic stormy views could be simply as attention-grabbing as blue skies, in any case.
What services are there?
There are bathrooms within the Spinnaker Tower together with on the bottom ground and the view decks, in addition to baby-changing services.
There’s a restaurant on the bottom ground known as the Spinnaker Kitchen and Bar – that’s open to all to purchase food and drinks.
There’s additionally The Clouds on View Deck 2, the place afternoon tea is served – this should be prebooked. Whereas there’s a small bar with drinks and cake, it’s at present solely out there if you happen to’ve booked upfront.
There’s no youngster choice for the Excessive Tea, though you’ll be able to prepare for a children lunch field choice as an alternative: if that’s the case, you want to name as much as prepare this fairly than reserving on-line.
There’s additionally a store on the bottom ground with souvenirs, starting from children’ books to sea-inspired sculptures.
There’s buggy parking on the bottom ground by the lifts. The primary View Deck is accessible by raise though the upper ranges are solely accessible by stairs – inevitably there’s restricted room, so it’s higher to depart your pushchair downstairs.
Is there parking?
The Spinnaker Tower is at Gunwharf Quays, so you’ll be able to park within the purchasing centre automobile park throughout your go to – the outlets, eating places and cafes are additionally proper on the doorstep if you happen to’re on the lookout for elsewhere to eat (or a little bit of retail remedy) after your go to.
For those who’re additionally planning to go to the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, as we had been, the Spinnaker Tower is strolling distance from the Historic Dockyard automobile park as properly, in addition to different public automobile parks in Portsmouth, reminiscent of on Havant Road.
You may as well get trains on to Portsmouth Harbour station close by, whereas Portsmouth bus station, The Exhausting, is near the Spinnaker Tower too.
Disclosure: My entry to the Spinnaker Tower with children was free for the aim of evaluation. This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Photographs copyright MummyTravels
