Things to Do at Spinnaker Tower

Spinnaker Tower rises 170 meters above Portsmouth Harbor, its three curved concrete legs twisting skyward like a frozen sail caught in an eternal wind. Completed in 2005 after years of delays, this millennium landmark cost £36 million and dominates the skyline for miles around. The lifts shoot you up to the first viewing deck in under 30 seconds, your ears popping as Portsmouth shrinks to toy-town proportions below. Entry costs £13 (about $16) for adults, and the glass floor on View Deck 2 makes even seasoned travelers grip the railings - you can watch ferries crawling across the Solent like bath toys. Visit on weekday mornings to avoid the weekend crowds and school groups that can turn the narrow decks into a bottleneck.

Spinnaker Tower sits in Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth's waterfront shopping district. Follow the signs if you're driving-parking costs plenty, especially weekends. The walk from Portsmouth Harbour station takes 10 minutes. Direct trains run from London Waterloo in 90 minutes. Local buses connect the city center to Gunwharf Quays without hassle. Already at the Historic Dockyard? Walk 15 minutes along the waterfront-easy route, good views.