The British Airways i360 opened in August 2016, and the 138 metre high observation tower has quickly become a distinctive and popular landmark attraction on the seafront. The observation tower raises visitors above the city in a fully enclosed and spacious glass viewing pod, with plenty of space to walk around and enjoy views across Brighton, out to sea, and over the South Downs.
You need to arrive for your flight about 20 minutes beforehand to pass through security. In the waiting area there is a really interesting video showing the tower's construction, and plenty of information about the tower. You can watch the pod as it descends from the previous flight, and then it's a smooth process to board.
The pod inside is really big, with plenty of space to make sure that everyone can enjoy the views. There's also a bar on board - it would be lovely to enjoy a celebration with a glass of champagne.
It was a bit of a gloomy day when we visited so I was a bit apprehensive about what we'd be able to see, but it wasn't a problem at all and we still had a brilliant view.
We are quite familiar with Brighton seafront from the ground but it was fascinating to see it from above, it's surprising how compact Brighton is and how high rise some of the buildings are. The ride is really smooth, and it's not in the least claustrophobic because the pod is so roomy.
It was really interesting to be able to see so far out to sea. We had a good view of the Rampion Wind Farm which is currently under construction, a much better look at it than you can see from the beach.
We downloaded the free app for our phones which Harry loved using. There's a viewing guide which you can match up to your surroundings to help you spot the landmarks, and a treasure hunt with different things to spot and photograph around the pod.
I loved how some of the buildings like the Brighton Metropole hotel close by had decorated their roof - I'd definitely do that if I owned a roof nearby!
The ride lasted just over 20 minutes, with a long stop at the top giving you plenty of time to enjoy the highest view in all directions. There was a member of staff on board to point out landmarks and answer any questions. When you leave the tower you have the chance to buy photographs of your group, and there's a souvenir shop with some lovely Brighton and beach themed gifts. We really enjoyed our trip and I'd definitely recommend it, whether you are local to Brighton or travelling from further afield!
We received complimentary tickets to the attraction in exchange for this review. An adult flight costs £16 and a child flight (4-15 years) costs £8. You can save 10% on the ticket price by booking in advance. Visit the British Airways i360 website for more information and to book.
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