Open House Weekend: BT Tower opens to the public for first time in almost 30 years

Iconic landmark: A handful of visitors will be able to ascend to the BT Tower's 34th floor to enjoy spectacular views of London


Visitors to the capital this weekend will get the chance to climb to the top of the BT Tower for the first time in nearly 30 years as part of London's Open House Weekend.

The famous 189-metre high tower, which was originally the Post Office Tower, closed to the public in 1981 amid security fears but will re-open on Sunday 19th September for one day only.

Just 480 lucky souls will be allowed to take the lift up to the 34th floor of the 45-year-old structure, the fourth tallest building in the country, to enjoy what is widely believed to be the best view in London.

Tickets will be allocated via a ballot and security will be tight - successful candidates will have to bring photo ID with them to enter the tower and pass through airport-style security.

It’s no wonder that organizers are feeling a little bit jittery - the tower was the victim of a terrorist attack in 1971 when the Provisional IRA set off a bomb in the men’s toilets at the Top of the Tower restaurant.

The restaurant was eventually closed in 1980 for security reasons and a year later the public were barred from entering the tower.


Through the looking glass: Boris Johnson will be opening the doors to City Hall on the South Bank


Other highlights of the Open House Weekend include tours of the Olympic Park and the Tate Modern Extension, as well as an opportunity to see Open House architecture by night on the London Night Hike on Friday 17th September.

Politically-minded people will have the chance to have a nose around City Hall when Mayor of London Boris Johnson opens the doors of the futuristic Norman Foster-designed London Assembly building on the Southbank .

Alternatively, they can head to the Foreign Office on King Charles Street to marvel at the Grand Staircase and impressive Durbar Room.

There will also be neighbourhood walks, cycle tours and talks and all events are free. The London Night Hike, a sponsored walk around London's architecture in aid of cancer charity Maggie's, will take place on Friday 17th September.



Capital games: Visitors will also be able to get tours of the 2012 Olympic Park in East London


The Open House Weekend takes places on 18th and 19th September.

For more information visit www.openhouselondon.org.uk.

Guides can be pre-ordered from Open House at www.open-city.org.uk/shop.


source: dailymail