In the distance, I could see a concrete pole across the road that looked out of place here in the seaside town of Brighton, just an hour outside of London by train.  A few minutes later when I looked, I saw a glass orb encircling the pole and inching upwards quite slowly.  This was the i360 attraction I had read about that took you from the beach below up in the sky to have a panoramic 360 degree view of the city.  Unlike other viewing platforms, this does not rotate but rather can accommodate up to 200 people inside who walk around to find their best view.

How to Buy Tickets for the i360 Brighton

It was a Wednesday in May before the summer crowds would arrive.  The only competition for tickets and space would be one of many school groups.  Thankfully, we were told of the groups when buying tickets and picked a time that wasn’t packed with children. I’m not anti-children, I’m anti school groups of 50-100 children at one time with a few adult chaperones. We could have purchased online for a slight discount but decided to buy i360 tickets in person once we saw the weather.  The day we arrived was rainy and overcast vs the day of our visit when it was bright sun but fierce winds. The tickets cost £16.50 per adult. For summer visits, I would recommend pre-booking by buying online to avoid disappointment.  There are also fun events like yoga and silent disco events for adults and children so definitely pre-book those events.  They also host special events – fancy a dinner, wedding or christmas party here?  Sounds fun!

BA i360 Queue – Arrive Early

You are told that it’s mandatory to arrive 20 minutes early and with regular crowds I would suggest arriving 30 minutes in advance to go through security, watch the film and then get ready to board.  They will also do the customary photo pitch before the ride, we tried to skip it but it was part of the queue experience.  The film told of the history of the pier that was destroyed in a fire (a bit remains in the water, too expensive to remove fully so they are waiting for nature to do that eventually) and the folks who thought to rebuild the ticket booths and create the i360 attraction.  The toilets/bathrooms (note unisex) are inside the building so use those before getting in line.  The staff are quite mindful of the times on the tickets so don’t be late.

Boarding the British Airways I360 Glass Pod

When our group (about 20 people in total) boarded, we all quickly walked around, checked out the bar and its offerings and then found a seat (there are only a few against the inside).  We quickly began the slow ascend and then one by one folks got up to get closer to the windows and edge to look around.

It was very sunny this day so there was a bit of a glare, some hot spots if you stayed in the sun too long (don’t worry the pod is air conditioned) and a need for sunglasses.  I felt bad for the bartender and guide standing in the direct sunlight as he narrated some history and sights over the loudspeaker. As this is sponsored by British Airways, the televisions are playing highlights of destinations from London that BA fly to. The bar offers cakes, coffees, cocktails and ice cream as well as souvenirs.

The pod moves so slowly you barely notice it until you do by looking outside.  For those afraid of heights, I’m not sure I’d recommend this but the seats in the middle might help if your family pulls you along.

Brighton Views on the i360 – Up in the Sky

A few buildings and hotels have painted their rooftops with street art that can be seen from the i360 (smart idea and of course there’s a hashtag).  You can see the railway station and beyond to the tree line and the town or city of Brighton is quite vast from above.  It’s easy to see the historic rows of homes as well as the newer configurations a bit further away.

Looking out to the remaining pier in the water signifies the old while riding inside the i360 is the new Brighton.

Video Views of Brighton from the BA i360

 

The water, beach, pier, buildings and landscapes were all pretty cool to see from above.  Even my friend who was kinda blah initially about this attraction was quite impressed and surprised how much she enjoyed the ride. It is a slow ride up and then you stay a while before beginning the descent.  Of course, when you arrive at ground level you exit back to the small gift shop where you can view your souvenir photo and buy it for a fee.  There is a small café/bar area inside and outside to enjoy pre/post ride.

Overall – British Airways i360 Brighton

I had no expectations of the i360 so was pleasantly surprised by it.  Having only twenty passengers vs. up to 200 passengers definitely made a difference in my experience.  I wouldn’t want to deal with crowds for a photo spot or viewing point but that said, it’s a big pod that can handle the crowds.  Arriving early you can see the film to provide history and staying a bit later to explore the gift shop with many local artists’ products for sale completes the experience.  This is the new Brighton with nods to the past while exploring the future.