I’ve just visited the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth for the fourth time – and I never get bored of seeing my home city from way up in the sky!

I first went up the Spinnaker Tower when it opened in October 2005 (I was lucky enough to win tickets to the grand opening!) and I’ve since been to a gig there and, most splendidly, to the wedding of some very dear friends.

This was the first time I’d taken my children and that made this visit rather special (my son had gazed at it many times from the Gunwharf Quays restaurant and shopping complex and his visit was very overdue!) and they were very excited.

The tower stands 560 feet tall (that’s two-and-a-half time higher than Nelson’s Column) and it offers remarkable views of the surrounding area including the town of Gosport and Portsmouth Harbour and historic dockyard and as well as further along the south coast including the Isle of Wight and apparently as far as Worthing on a clear day. 

While the views are quite fantastic, with something new to see all the time, walking on the glass floor is an experience not to be missed. Peering down hundreds of feet while just stood on glass just a few inches thick is not perhaps one for people scared of heights (although seeing abseiling windows cleaners in action below, kind of keeps it in perspective!).

Since my first visit to the tower one of my initial criticisms, that being a lack of a cafe or restaurant at the top which I thought was a ridiculous decision and a real waste of money-making potential, has been addressed and the cafe now offers light lunches, drinks and ice creams.

The Spinnaker Tower is well worth a visit and it remains one of the best places to have a cup of tea in the country. Perfect for all ages! 

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