A slim tower above the West Pier
The mast is only a few metres wide. It rises 162 metres from the shingle, and when it opened in 2016 Guinness listed it as the world’s most slender tower. It was designed by Marks Barfield Architects, the practice behind the London Eye. Behind it are the cream Regency terraces of Brighton; in front, the rusted iron skeleton of the West Pier stands in the sea.
The pod is a glass ring that slides up the column and holds up to 200 people. You don’t sit. You walk the circuit, and the floor-to-ceiling glass gives you every direction from one loop. A bar sits in the middle of the ring, so you can take a drink up with you.
What the view gives you
At the top the pod pauses at around 138 metres. It’s a vertical ride, so you rise straight up above the beach instead of swinging out over it.
What to pick out as you circle:
- East: Brighton Palace Pier and the white cliffs heading towards Rottingdean
- North: the grid of Regency Square and The Lanes, then the green ridge of the South Downs
- West: Hove’s beach huts and the long coastline towards Shoreham
- Straight down: the West Pier ruins, which you can’t reach any other way
On a hazy day the Downs fade out. Wait for clear air and the ride is worth far more.
Timing your flight and getting there
Hours are 8am to 7pm every day of the week. Plan to arrive well before closing, because the last flight leaves before 7pm; confirm the final departure time when you book. The whole visit, including queuing and the gift shop exit, fits into about an hour.
Getting there:
- Train: Brighton station is a 15-minute walk downhill via Queen’s Road and West Street to the seafront, then turn right.
- Bus: plenty of city routes stop along Kings Road and at Churchill Square, a few minutes inland.
- Car: seafront parking fills up fast in summer. Regency Square car park sits almost directly behind the tower.
Boarding without wasting the morning
This is one of Brighton’s most visited attractions, and summer weekends draw long lines of day-trippers from London. Booking a timed flight online saves you queuing at the kiosk, and the booking page shows current ticket prices. Early slots after the 8am opening usually beat the families and coach groups that arrive in late morning.
Payment is by card or contactless, as it is almost everywhere in Brighton. Tipping at the pod bar isn’t expected. Wind is the big variable. Operators can pause flights in strong gusts, so check the official site or social channels on a blustery day before you walk down.
Afterwards, head along the seafront. The Palace Pier is roughly 15 minutes’ walk east, the Royal Pavilion and The Lanes are a short climb inland, and the Hove lawns stretch west for a flat stroll with the tower behind you.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Brighton i360 flight last?
Around 20 to 25 minutes from boarding to landing. Allow about an hour for the whole visit.
What are the Brighton i360 opening hours?
8am to 7pm every day, Monday to Sunday. The last flight leaves before closing, so check the final departure time when you book.
How do I get to Brighton i360 from Brighton station?
Walk about 15 minutes downhill via Queen's Road and West Street to the seafront, then turn right. The tower is on Lower Kings Road beside the West Pier ruins.
Does bad weather stop the i360?
Strong winds can pause flights, and haze cuts the view to the South Downs. Check the official site on a windy day and aim for clear, calm weather.
What is near Brighton i360?
The West Pier ruins are right in front, Regency Square is behind it, and Brighton Palace Pier, The Lanes and the Royal Pavilion are all within about 15 minutes' walk.
Plan your trip to Brighton
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