St John's Beacon Liverpool
An iconic radio and observation tower, once offering panoramic city views, now a prominent feature of Liverpool's skyline.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
St John's Beacon Liverpool
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Highlights
Must-see attractions
An iconic radio and observation tower, once offering panoramic city views, now a prominent feature of Liverpool's skyline.
"This is an absolute must-visit in Liverpool, especially if you're a fan of breathtaking views!"
Viewing Gallery Closed
The public viewing gallery is permanently closed as of Dec 31, 2024. No longer accessible for city views.
Iconic Skyline Spot
Even closed, it's a key landmark to spot and photograph from around the city. :camerawithflash:
Quick Facts
Rating
4.6 · 1,595 reviews
Type
Tourist Attraction
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Panoramic City Views (Past)
Viewing Gallery (Closed)
Once offered breathtaking 360° views of Merseyside, North Wales, and beyond. A unique perspective on Liverpool's landscape.
Iconic Liverpool Landmark
City Centre
A distinctive radio and observation tower, a recognizable symbol on Liverpool's skyline, visible from afar.
Historical Context
Tower Exterior
Built in 1969, this Grade II listed structure has a fascinating history, from a revolving restaurant to a broadcasting hub.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Last Chance for Views!
Iconic Skyline Feature
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Which viewpoint is higher? Radio Tower or Liverpool Cathedral?
I think this question wasn't asked before here. There isn't any specific answers online as most sites publish height based on the roof, not viewpoint. I know it's not a big difference however where do you stand higher?
Viewing Gallery Closed
The public viewing gallery is permanently closed as of Dec 31, 2024. No longer accessible for city views.
Iconic Skyline Spot
Even closed, it's a key landmark to spot and photograph from around the city. :camerawithflash:
The view of Liverpool, as seen from St John's Beacon, 120 metres up in the air.
St John's Beacon, more commonly known as Radio City Tower, is open to the public every day. It costs £6 to go up and check out the view. I was pretty disappointed with what £6 gets you. Namely, the windows weren't even clean. It might be 120m up in the sky, but you'd think…
Radio City Tower / St John’s Beacon Views
I finally went to the top of the tower the other day , would recommend. If your scared of heights or for any other reason don’t fancy it - here’s the footage of it . [YouTube video](https://youtu.be/Dsc0TYdtTwg)
Navigational Aid
Useful for orienting yourself in Liverpool, especially when arriving by train. :world_map:
Tips
from all over the internet
Viewing Gallery Closed
The public viewing gallery is permanently closed as of Dec 31, 2024. No longer accessible for city views.
Iconic Skyline Spot
Even closed, it's a key landmark to spot and photograph from around the city. :camerawithflash:
Navigational Aid
Useful for orienting yourself in Liverpool, especially when arriving by train. :world_map:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The St. John's Beacon viewing gallery, once a highlight for its breathtaking city panoramas, has permanently closed. Visitors previously praised the stunning 360° views and the tower's iconic status. However, some noted inconsistent staff experiences. The closure means this unique perspective on Liverpool is no longer available.
"This is an absolute must-visit in Liverpool, especially if you're a fan of breathtaking views! From the top, you get a stunning panorama of the entire city, including the bustling port and all the major landmarks. It's truly the best way to appreciate Liverpool's unique landscape.
The staff were generally friendly and helpful, though I did have a slightly odd encounter with the entrance attendant who wasn't exactly welcoming. However, that small hiccup didn't detract from the overall amazing experience.
I highly recommend this place to anyone visiting Liverpool. It's definitely worth checking out!"
USIF
"An iconic landmark in the heart of Liverpool!
Great view of the city and beyond from the top perfect for photos. Even just seeing it up close is a cool experience. A must-visit if you're in town.
#Liverpool #RadioCityTower #CityViews"
Taimur Khan
"St John's Beacon, commonly known as Radio City Tower, is an iconic landmark in Liverpool, England, offering panoramic views of the city and beyond.
🏗️ Overview & History
Location: Situated in the heart of Liverpool, adjacent to St John's Shopping Centre.
Height: 138 meters (452 feet) tall; including its 10-meter antenna, it stands as the tallest structure in Liverpool.
Construction: Completed in 1969, designed by James A. Roberts Associates.
Opening: Inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II in 1971.
Original Purpose: Initially built as a ventilation shaft for the shopping centre, it was later converted into a revolving restaurant.
Revolving Restaurant: Operated from 1971 until its closure in 1979 due to health and safety concerns.
Subsequent Use: In the early 1980s, it briefly reopened as a "Buck Rogers" space-themed restaurant before closing again.
Refurbishment: In 1999–2000, the tower underwent a £5 million refurbishment, transforming it into a radio broadcasting studio and observation tower.
Radio City Studios: From 2000 to 2024, it housed the studios for Hits Radio Liverpool and Greatest Hits Radio.
Grade II Listing: In November 2020, Historic England listed the tower as Grade II, recognizing its architectural and technological significance.
👀 Viewing Gallery
Opening to Public: In 2010, the first floor was opened to the public as a 360° viewing gallery.
Features: Offered breathtaking panoramic views of Merseyside, including vistas of the Wirral, North Wales, Lancashire, and, on clear days, Snowdonia and Blackpool.
Accessibility: The gallery was wheelchair accessible, with no stairs to climb.
Closure: The viewing gallery closed to the public on December 31, 2024.
🎙️ Radio City Tower
Broadcasting Hub: Served as the broadcasting hub for Hits Radio Liverpool and Greatest Hits Radio until December 2024.
Notable Events: The tower witnessed significant broadcasting moments, including live coverage of major events and celebrity visits.
Final Broadcast: The final live broadcast from the tower took place on Christmas Eve 2024.
🏙️ Cultural Significance
Iconic Status: St John's Beacon is a prominent feature of Liverpool's skyline and a symbol of the city's modern architectural heritage.
Public Perception: Despite periods of disuse, the tower has remained a beloved landmark, often referred to as "Radio City Tower" by locals.
Future Prospects: The future of the tower remains uncertain, with discussions about its potential repurposing ongoing."
Yarys
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
St. John's Beacon is centrally located in Liverpool, adjacent to St. John's Shopping Centre. It's easily accessible by public transport, with numerous bus routes stopping nearby and Liverpool Lime Street Station a short walk away. If driving, there are car parks within the shopping centre and surrounding areas.
Yes, St. John's Beacon is a very prominent and recognizable structure in Liverpool's city center. It's often visible from a distance, making it a useful landmark for navigation.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Unfortunately, the public viewing gallery at St. John's Beacon closed permanently on December 31, 2024. It is no longer possible to access the top for city views.
The viewing gallery was typically open daily, with hours varying seasonally. However, as it has now permanently closed, these hours are no longer applicable.
Ticket prices for the viewing gallery varied, but it was generally an affordable attraction. Specific pricing details are no longer relevant due to the closure.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
From the 360° viewing gallery, visitors could enjoy panoramic views of Merseyside, the Wirral, North Wales, and on clear days, even Snowdonia and Blackpool. It offered a comprehensive perspective of Liverpool's cityscape and surrounding areas.
Yes, the viewing gallery was designed to be wheelchair accessible, ensuring that visitors with mobility needs could enjoy the panoramic views without encountering stairs.
Yes, St. John's Beacon originally housed a revolving restaurant from 1971 until 1979. It later briefly reopened as a space-themed restaurant before its conversion into a broadcasting hub and viewing gallery.
Completed in 1969, St. John's Beacon was initially a ventilation shaft for the shopping centre. It evolved into a revolving restaurant, then a broadcasting studio for Radio City, and finally a public viewing gallery before its recent closure. It is a Grade II listed building.
📸 📸 Photography
St. John's Beacon is a striking landmark, and it's best photographed from street level. Consider capturing it from the nearby St. John's Shopping Centre entrance, or from areas like William Brown Street for a good city backdrop. The tower itself is a great subject from various angles across the city.
The public viewing gallery at St. John's Beacon is now permanently closed, so it's no longer possible to take photos from its vantage point. However, the tower itself is a great subject for photography from around Liverpool.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit