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All the United Kingdom England Portsmouth Spinnaker Tower

Spinnaker Tower

This striking observation tower shaped like a spinnaker sail is the newest icon in historic Portsmouth.

Portsmouth, England

Added By
Alan Newman
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Spinnaker Tower   public domain
  Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Spinnaker tower. The tall ship to the left is HMS Warrior.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Spinnaker Tower   Peter Trimming/cc by-sa 2.0
Spinnaker Tower   Jack Pease/cc by 2.0
  Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
  AdOYo / Atlas Obscura User
The Spinnaker Tower in “Pompey blue”, which was changed from the Emirates red due to red representing Southampton   Lana Velkov / Atlas Obscura User
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
Directly upwind   MarkTimeTravel / Atlas Obscura User
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About

As you approach the Portsmouth ferry terminal from the English Channel, one of the first things to meet your eye is not an ancient naval structure or historic warship, as one might assume, but a very modern observation tower.

The impressive Spinnaker Tower overlooks the recently redeveloped harbor in the historic town of Portsmouth. Its shape, chosen by local residents from a selection of designs, reflects the city's maritime history. It's made to look like a spinnaker sail billowing in the wind, from which it gets its name.

Rising 560 feet high, it's one of the tallest accessible structures in the United Kingdom outside the capital. And indeed, the triple observation deck at the top provides a spectacular panoramic view of the city and harbor below, stretching far out to the horizon. On a clear day, it's possible to see out 23 miles into the distance. 

The design of the tower is somewhat similar to the (much taller) Burj Al Arab in Dubai. The structure is owned by the Portsmouth City Council, however after a commercial sponsorship deal with the Dubai-based Emirates airline, the tower's name was officially changed to the Emirates Spinnaker Tower.

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Added By

Dr Alan P Newman

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MarkTimeTravel, Meg, rbenn250, Gavin...

  • MarkTimeTravel
  • Meg
  • rbenn250
  • Gavin
  • AdOYo
  • Lana Velkov
  • europafox

Published

July 31, 2018

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Spinnaker Tower
Portsmouth Ferry Port
Portsmouth, England
United Kingdom
50.7956, -1.108521
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