You’ll get a bird’s eye view of the south coast and, on a clear day, even see the Isle of Wight 40 miles away. The world’s tallest moving observation tower, British Airways i360, has opened on Brighton seafront.
Up to 200 people at a time will glide to a height of 138 metres in a futuristic glass viewing pod to get breathtaking 360-degree views across Brighton, the South Downs and the beautiful south coast.
And while admiring the vista, you’ll also be able to enjoy a drink at the Nyetimber Sky Bar.
Flights on British Airways i360 last 20 minutes during the day and 30 minutes after 6pm. Tickets cost from £13.50 for adults and from £6.75 for children, with under 4s free.
It’s taken 12 years to create and is the brainchild of architect-entrepreneurs David Marks and Julia Barfield of Marks Barfield Architects which designed the world-famous London Eye.
David said: “Built at the landward end of Brighton’s historic West Pier, British Airways i360 is a modern day ‘vertical pier’ that gives a new perspective on the city. Just as the West Pier invited Victorian society to ‘walk on water’; so British Airways i360 invites visitors to ‘walk on air’.
“The glass viewing pod, 10 times the size of a London Eye capsule and capable of carrying up to 200 passengers, will slowly rise up a slender steel tower to a height of 450 feet to provide passengers with stunning views of Brighton and Hove and a beautiful panorama of the south coast and English Channel.”
Materials for the structure were sourced from nine different countries including the steel tower from the Netherlands, the glass from Italy and the tower dampers flown more than 9,000 miles from Australia.
British Airways i360 chief executive Eleanor Harris said: “British Airways i360 is a unique visitor attraction and a world’s first, which will cement Brighton’s position as the UK’s most popular seaside destination for international visitors.
“It is the world’s tallest moving observation tower, the world’s first vertical cable car and holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s most slender tower. Alongside our sponsors, British Airways, we are promoting Brighton around the globe.”
Tickets can be booked here
