BT Tower
Sightseeing attraction | London | England | United Kingdom
The BT Tower, originally known as the Post Office Tower, is one of London's most iconic landmarks and a milestone in modern architecture and the telecommunications history of Britain. Standing at a height of 191 meters – including the antenna – it was the tallest structure in Britain upon its completion in 1964 and held this title until 1980 when the NatWest Tower surpassed it. The tower was designed by the architectural firm Eric Bedford and G. R. Yeats, and built on behalf of the General Post Office, which was responsible for national telecommunications at the time. Today, it belongs to BT, the successor of the GPO, and remains a symbol of technological progress and urban development in 20th-century London.
Construction of the BT Tower began in 1961 and was officially opened by Prime Minister Harold Wilson in 1967, although it had already been partially operational since 1964. Its main function was to support telecommunications, particularly through microwave antennas that relayed phone calls, television broadcasts, and data over long distances – a revolutionary technology at a time when fiber-optic cables had not yet become standard. The cylindrical tower consists of a concrete core clad in glass and steel, and has 36 floors, with the upper floors originally equipped with antennas. The antenna at the top, which brings it to its full height, was once an active part of the communication system, but is now mostly decorative as modern technologies have rendered the old microwave connections obsolete.
One highlight of the BT Tower was the revolving restaurant on the upper floors, which was open to the public between 1966 and 1971. As the first revolving restaurant in Britain, it offered guests a spectacular 360-degree view of London while rotating once every 22 minutes. Operated by the design company Butlin's, it attracted over 500,000 visitors, including celebrities and tourists, who enjoyed the futuristic experience. However, on October 31, 1971, an IRA bomb attack occurred in the restaurant, causing property damage and lightly injuring two people. Although the damages were repaired, the incident combined with security concerns – the tower was a potential target during the Cold War – led to its permanent closure to the public. Since then, the tower has been exclusively used by BT employees and invited guests, with the upper floors now being used for conferences and special events.
Architecturally, the BT Tower is a testament to the aesthetics of the 1960s, with a minimalist, functional design that still adds an elegant silhouette to the London skyline. Its round shape was chosen to minimize wind loads – a wise decision as tests showed it can withstand storms with wind speeds exceeding 150 km/h. The façade was originally clad in over 4,000 glass panels, which were partially replaced with modern materials in the 2000s to increase energy efficiency. Since 2009, the tower has featured a large LED display that shows news, weather information, or festive greetings and is visible for kilometers at night – such as to celebrate the 2012 Olympics or as a countdown to the millennium.
The tower's central location in London makes it visible from many points in the city, such as Primrose Hill or the Docks in the east. It stands in an area that has undergone significant changes since its construction, evolving from a quieter area to a vibrant mix of offices, residences, and cultural institutions. For visitors who can only view it from the outside, the BT Tower remains a fascinating sight, especially when its antenna sparkles in the light at sunset or the LED display illuminates at night. Its height and exposed position have also made it a landmark for Londoners and tourists.
The BT Tower is more than just a technical structure – it tells the story of the communication age and London's pursuit of modernity in the post-war era. Despite being closed to the public, it remains a symbol of innovation and a integral part of the urban identity. Occasionally, it is opened for charitable purposes, such as when participants in a competition have the opportunity to visit the viewing platform, but such occasions are rare. For many, it is a nostalgic relic of the 1960s, when the world still dreamed of unlimited progress.
In a city full of historic monuments, the BT Tower stands out with its modern presence and its role in everyday culture. It connects the past of telecommunications with the present of a connected world and remains a silent witness to the changes that London has undergone in recent decades. Even though it cannot be entered today, it continues to inspire through its sheer size and history – a tower that once carried the voices of a nation and now silently watches over it.
