"Soaring 170 metres above Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent, the Spinnaker Tower is taller than the London Eye, Blackpool Tower and Big Ben and has already established itself as a national icon for Britain. A world class visitor attraction, the much-admired, elegant viewing Tower stands proud over one of the most fascinating seascapes in the world. Situated on the waterfront at Gunwharf Quays, it offers amazing 350º panoramic views of Portsmouth Harbour, the South coast and the Isle of Wight, with views stretching out for up to 23 miles – breathtaking by day and a glittering sea of lights by night. * The Spinnaker Tower opened to the public on 18 October 2005. * The Tower has been a huge success and has received over 600, 000 visitors within the first year of opening. * The high speed internal lift travels at 4 metres per second, taking you to the View Decks in just 30 seconds. * The concrete used to build the Tower would fill five-and-a-half Olympic-sized swimming pools. * The Tower is founded on 84 piles, the longest of which runs 50m into the ground – the equivalent of Nelson’s Column. * The total weight of the Tower exceeds 30, 000 tonnes. * The 27m spire weighs 14 tonnes and was carefully lifted into place by crane. * 1200 tonnes of structural steel used to form the Tower's distinctive bows is the equivalent weight of 12 blue whales. * 115 metres up and in high winds, the Tower can flex approximately 150mm. * There are 570 steps from the base up to View Deck 3, The Crow's Nest. " http://www.spinnakertower.co.uk
