Spinnaker Tower

The needle-like tower dominating Portsmouth's waterfront is impossible to miss, and once you're inside, the views across the Solent toward the Isle of Wight are genuinely spectacular. Spinnaker Tower shoots up 170 metres - tall enough that on clear days you can pick out the Needles rocks off the island's western tip. There are three viewing platforms at different heights, each one revealing something new as you ascend. The highest offers that proper vertigo moment if you're brave enough to step onto the glass floor. Count on spending around two hours here if you take your time; the lower levels have a café and exhibition space about Portsmouth's maritime history, which is worthwhile rather than exceptional.

Families with kids aged eight and up will get the most from this. Younger children might find the queues tedious, and the admission price isn't cheap. The walk around the observation decks is straightforward - no scrambling involved - so it suits all mobility levels. Lee-on-the-Solent is close by, and if you're staying at Kingfisher Caravan Park or Hayling Island Holiday Park, the tower makes for a solid morning or afternoon outing when the weather's being difficult elsewhere. Go mid-week if possible to dodge the school holiday crush. Worth the detour if you're in the area, less so if you're making a special trip.