Viewpoints · London
BT Tower
In or near Covent Garden.
London's 191m Grade-II-listed 1964 telecoms tower; reopening as hotel.
ell brown — CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 20 min–45 min
- Best time of year
- Clear days year-round
- Nearest railway station
- Goodge Street · 0.3 km
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Dog-friendly
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit the BT Tower, the nearest railway station is Goodge Street, which is 0.3 km away. The postcode for sat-nav is W1T 4JZ, and entry is free.
About
The BT Tower in Fitzrovia, London (1964) is the 191-metre Grade-II-listed telecommunications tower built for the GPO. Closed to the public since 1981 (after a 1971 IRA bomb), it's been bought by MCR Hotels in 2024 for conversion into a hotel — making it accessible again for the first time in 40 years. Currently visible for miles across the West End.
Photo gallery
360° view
Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the official site
The BT Tower is a prominent London landmark, standing at 189 meters tall with a distinctive cylindrical shape. It plays a crucial role in UK communications, handling a significant portion of the country's television broadcasts and was once classified as an official secret. Originally opened in 1965, it features areas that are typically not accessible to the public, showcasing its historical and functional significance.
Read more on the official property page.
From the Wikipedia article
The BT Communication Tower, more commonly known as the BT Tower, is a Grade II listed communications tower in Fitzrovia, London, England, owned by MCR Hotels. It has also been known as the GPO Tower, the Post Office Tower, and the Telecom Tower. The main structure is 177 metres (581 ft) high, with aerial rigging bringing the total height to 189 metres (620 ft). Upon completion in 1964, it was the tallest structure in London and remained so until 1980. Butlins managed a revolving restaurant in the tower from 1966 until 1980. A 360° LED screen displays news across central London. The BT Tower was sold to MCR Hotels in 2024.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
Architecture
The tower was commissioned by the General Post Office (GPO). Its primary purpose was to support the microwave aerials then used to carry telecommunications traffic from London to the rest of the country, as part of the GPO microwave network. It replaced a shorter, 1940s steel lattice tower on the roof of the Museum Telephone Exchange, so named for its proximity to the British Museum. The taller structure was required to protect the radio links' line of sight against tall buildings then planned in London. Links were routed via GPO microwave stations Harrow Weald, Bagshot, Kelvedon Hatch and Fairseat, and locations including the London Air Traffic Control Centre. The tower was designed by the…
Visiting
visiting the tower in May 1966]] The tower was opened to the public on 19 May 1966, by Postmaster General, Anthony Wedgwood Benn and Billy Butlin, with HM Queen Elizabeth II having visited on 17 May 1966. As well as communications equipment and office space, there were viewing galleries and a souvenir shop. Butlins' Top of the Tower revolving restaurant on the 34th floor made one revolution every 23 minutes and meals cost about £4 (). In the first year there were nearly one million visitors, and over 100,000 diners.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 51.5215, -0.1389
- District
- Camden
- Parish
- Camden, unparished area
- Postcode
- W1T 4JZ
- Parliamentary constituency
- Holborn and St Pancras
- Established
- 1964
- Nearest railway station
- Goodge Street — 0.3 km
- Official site
- web.archive.org
Sources
- manual: bt-tower-london (manual)
- wikipedia: BT Tower (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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📷 5Frequently asked questions
- Where is BT Tower?
- BT Tower is in London, United Kingdom (postcode W1T 4JZ), in the parish of Camden, unparished area.
- What is BT Tower?
- London's 191m Grade-II-listed 1964 telecoms tower; reopening as hotel.
- How do I get to BT Tower?
- The nearest railway station is Goodge Street, about 0.3 km away. Drivers can use postcode W1T 4JZ.
- When was BT Tower built?
- Built or established in 1964.
- Who owns BT Tower?
- BT Tower is owned by MCR Hotels.
- Is BT Tower a listed building?
- BT Tower is officially recognised as Grade II listed.
- Is BT Tower free to visit?
- Yes, BT Tower is free to enter.
- How do I get to BT Tower?
- The nearest railway station is Goodge Street, about 0.3 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode W1T 4JZ.