Post Office Tower

177 metres of pure technical innovation with a film pedigree

Location: 60 Cleveland Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 4JZ

Description: The 'BT Tower' is a tall cylindrical building and was previously known as the 'Post Office Tower', the London Telecom Tower and the British Telecom Tower.

The main structure is 177 metres (581 ft) tall, with a further section of aerial rigging bringing the total height to 189 metres (620 ft).

In 1962, while still under construction, the BT Tower overtook St Paul;s Cathedral to become the tallest building in London. Upon completion it overtook the Millbank Tower (which had been constructed faster) to once again become the tallest building in both London and the United Kingdom, titles it held until 1980, when it in turn was overtaken by the NatWest Tower.

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 British Telecom microwave network.

It is also the star of many films and TV dramas including 'Alan Moore's graphic novel V for Vendetta' and the famous scene in 'The Goodies' when it is toppled over by Twinkle the Giant Kitten in the episode Kitten Kong.

Tours: The Doctor Whoish tour of London

Themes: Technology Technology Theme