The BT Tower, formerly known as the Post Office Tower, is a distinctive feature of London's skyline and a testament to Britain's telecommunications advancements. Erected in 1964, it was conceived as the General Post Office's (GPO) communication hub. The tower's sleek design, crafted by architects Eric Bedford and G. R. Yeats, embodied the spirit of post-war modernity and technological progress. Rising 177 meters (581 feet) above the ground, it quickly became an iconic symbol of London.

Initially, the tower was open to the public, offering a revolving restaurant at its summit with panoramic views of the city. However, security concerns led to its closure in 1981, and public access has been restricted since. Over the years, it underwent several name changes, finally adopting the title BT Tower in 1992 after British Telecommunications (BT) took ownership.

unobstructed image of BT Tower taken from 8 stories up. with cloudy sky in background
unobstructed image of BT Tower taken from 8 stories up. with cloudy sky in background

View from The Post Building on New Oxford Street

BT Tower taken from London Eye with Charing Cross Station in the foreground
BT Tower taken from London Eye with Charing Cross Station in the foreground

Beyond Charing Cross Station:
View from The London Eye

BT Tower

Bright orange sunset taken from BT Tower. London panorama below and sky above
Bright orange sunset taken from BT Tower. London panorama below and sky above

It opened the revolving top for a couple of days for the 2023 Open House Festival and I was fortunate enough to get to visit. A 90 second timelapse of the full revolution can be found HERE.

Advanced technology now means it is no longer needed as a comms tower and in 2024 it was annonunced that it had been sold to a hotel group.

It will always remain an iconic part of the London Skyline. Having no other tall buildings nearby means the views are both stunning and unobstructed. TIMELAPSE

Sunset from The Tower