St Johns Beacon

About

St Johns Beacon – affectionately known as the Radio City Tower – is a striking 138‑metre communication and observation tower that has become an iconic landmark of Liverpool. Designed by James A. Roberts Associates and completed in 1969, the tower boasts a 10‑metre antenna and a revolving radio studio that has hosted some of the city’s most popular radio stations, including Radio City, Greatest Hits Radio and Radio City Talk. In the early 2000s, the restaurant and observation deck were refurbished, transforming the upper levels into a public viewing gallery that offered a 360° panoramic vista of the Mersey, the Wirral, North Wales and even as far as Blackpool. The viewing gallery, which opened full‑time to the public in 2010, operated on a free‑entry policy until a small admission fee was introduced in 2024 – £8 for adults and £6 for children. Although visitors could spend as long as they wished, the gallery remained open year‑round and was accessible to wheelchair users. However, the municipal council announced that the gallery would close permanently on 31 December 2024, marking the end of an era for one of England’s most recognised observation platforms. Today St Johns Beacon continues to serve its original purpose as a broadcast facility, with the 10 C Digital Audio Broadcasting multiplex masts and the studios of Hits Radio and Greatest Hits Radio still operating on the roof and lower floors. The tower’s architectural character, with its sleek modernist design and iconic Beehive antenna, remains a prominent feature of Liverpool’s skyline, while its rich history of radio broadcasting and public access makes it a must‑visit for history and media enthusiasts alike.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 30 minutes