St Johns Beacon
St Johns Beacon
4.5
11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Temporarily closed St Johns Beacon, one of Liverpool's most iconic landmarks is open all year round, 7 days a week and offers unrivalled views of Merseyside, the Wirral, North Wales and as far away as Blackpool. The Beacon is also home to the award winning radio stations Radio City, Radio City Talk and Great Hits Radio, the studios of which you can see when visiting the Viewing Gallery. There is no time limit on your visit and we are totally wheelchair friendly.
Duration: < 1 hour
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Address
Neighborhood: Central Liverpool
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,478 reviews
Excellent
873
Very good
454
Average
125
Poor
16
Terrible
10
Beachman
Liverpool, UK82 contributions
Aug 2023
Not a bad price for a tourist attraction in a main city. The experience is fairly basic though. Take a lift to a viewing platform and it is all on one floor. No whistles or bells- just a fantastic view of a great city with some straightforward interpretation panels and one video presentation. Staff are friendly and will answer any questions. The whole experience will only last about thirty minutes unless you want to keep going round and round.
Written August 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy W
Liverpool, UK33 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Loved this, great views of our lovely city. We spent around an hour there just identifying all the places we knew and some new ones from the information boards around the walls. Perfect day as well as we could see for miles to Wales, Blackpool and beyond. Two small points I think could be better. A few seats here and there for people that need to sit occasionally, and the guide needs to be a bit more part of the experience. Although she was there if you needed her she never interacted with you unless you asked. Would definitely recommend a visit.
Written March 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil K
Liverpool, UK824,835 contributions
Feb 2021 • Friends
With the rollout of the vaccines this terrible pandemic will soon be tamed ,at the moment the UK is into its 3rd national lockdown but I am optimistic that very soon restrictions will be lifted, as it stands close to 15 million people have had the jab that will bring back normality and we're only in the 2nd week of February so a new year has certainly brought new hope ,before the 3rd national lockdown descended my twin brother Stephen and I decided to jump the train down from Kirkby to Liverpool City Centre and visit some of the great pubs our city is justifiably famous for, while heading to The Richard John Blackler Pub we walked through Williamson Square which offers great views of arguably one of the most stunning structures in Liverpool namely St John's Beacon.
Constructed between 1965 - 1969 this Grade II Listed building was constructed from designs by architect James A Roberts, in an era of a bright space age future the tower encorporates an illusion of optimistic vision ,its the only structure of this type in England, when illumination at night it does actually resemble a spaceship, very cool indeed.
When the tower was constructed in 1965 - 1969 it was incorporated into St John's Shopping Centre scheme and part of Graham Shankland's wider masterplan for the redevelopment and restructuring of Liverpool City Centre, the platform atop the shaft was a rotating restaurant known as The Tower Restaurant, the tower actually served two purposes, one as an observation tower and also a ventilation shaft for the new shopping centre boilers ,opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1969 ,it stands 138 metres high ,the restaurant has now closed ,I actually visited it when it was a rotating restaurant/ bar,it was very cool , St John's Beacon then became a radio station ,I just love viewing it ,when the pandemic is over I highly recommend you enjoy the views atop the tower which are spectacular, its most definitely well worth checking out if you're planning a trip to Liverpool.
Constructed between 1965 - 1969 this Grade II Listed building was constructed from designs by architect James A Roberts, in an era of a bright space age future the tower encorporates an illusion of optimistic vision ,its the only structure of this type in England, when illumination at night it does actually resemble a spaceship, very cool indeed.
When the tower was constructed in 1965 - 1969 it was incorporated into St John's Shopping Centre scheme and part of Graham Shankland's wider masterplan for the redevelopment and restructuring of Liverpool City Centre, the platform atop the shaft was a rotating restaurant known as The Tower Restaurant, the tower actually served two purposes, one as an observation tower and also a ventilation shaft for the new shopping centre boilers ,opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1969 ,it stands 138 metres high ,the restaurant has now closed ,I actually visited it when it was a rotating restaurant/ bar,it was very cool , St John's Beacon then became a radio station ,I just love viewing it ,when the pandemic is over I highly recommend you enjoy the views atop the tower which are spectacular, its most definitely well worth checking out if you're planning a trip to Liverpool.
Written February 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nammy A
Greater Manchester, UK10 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
What is the definition of daylight robbery? A ride up the Radio City Tower! The cost is £7/adult (£6/student/seniors). The whole thing lasts around 10minutes, even if you walk round in super slow motion.
Your operator in the lift to the top is a well meaning if rather robotic young gentlemen whereupon you are ushered into the viewing area by a burly squat red faced bouncer.
The views are quite spectacular except where the windows are caked in the finest Liverpudlian dust. Incidentally, despite alluding to the notion that there is a radio station operating there, the booths were empty as the radio station now operates from that famous part of Liverpool called Manchester.
Once you have reached the end, you go around again to try and get some value for money before exiting the tower through a narrow wind tunnelled alley under the watchful knowing smirk of the robotic lift operator
Your operator in the lift to the top is a well meaning if rather robotic young gentlemen whereupon you are ushered into the viewing area by a burly squat red faced bouncer.
The views are quite spectacular except where the windows are caked in the finest Liverpudlian dust. Incidentally, despite alluding to the notion that there is a radio station operating there, the booths were empty as the radio station now operates from that famous part of Liverpool called Manchester.
Once you have reached the end, you go around again to try and get some value for money before exiting the tower through a narrow wind tunnelled alley under the watchful knowing smirk of the robotic lift operator
Written August 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
red
10 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Paid £7.50 EACH to go up in a lift with a ‘guide’ who said about 3 sentences to us about how high up we were going and then just left to walk around for about 10 mins max with tiny little bits of info dotted around. Guide was nowhere to be seen after the lift until they brought another group up. Plenty of other places you can go to get better views for a better price, this was meant to be a treat for my mums birthday and we were just severely disappointed. Should be free or cost no more than £2. Won’t be recommending or coming back.
Written August 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris H
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Family
The two guys who were working on the day were amazing. The customer service and friendliness was the best we’ve experienced.
My mum is disabled and on a mobility scooter, they couldn’t do enough to help her, so much so that when we got out we all mentioned it at the same time. If you read this, thank you both!
The Tower itself was great, spectacular views of the whole city, we were lucky enough to go up in a clear day, we got some great photos.
My mum is disabled and on a mobility scooter, they couldn’t do enough to help her, so much so that when we got out we all mentioned it at the same time. If you read this, thank you both!
The Tower itself was great, spectacular views of the whole city, we were lucky enough to go up in a clear day, we got some great photos.
Written July 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
permia
Ireland67,090 contributions
Jun 2023
On a gloriously sunny early afternoon it was great to ascend and revel in fabulous vistas across the city, to the outer reaches.
Anfield and Everton Water Tower were clearly visible. Moving closer was to view two glorious Cathedrals, RC Metropolitan and Anglican.
Royal Liver with its pair of famous birds was easy to identify. In that general area saw cranes of the rapidly nearing completion of the new waterfront stadium.
Overall a memorable excursion.
Anfield and Everton Water Tower were clearly visible. Moving closer was to view two glorious Cathedrals, RC Metropolitan and Anglican.
Royal Liver with its pair of famous birds was easy to identify. In that general area saw cranes of the rapidly nearing completion of the new waterfront stadium.
Overall a memorable excursion.
Written August 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CharlieV2011
Chicago, IL2,322 contributions
Nov 2022 • Solo
On a sunny day, this is a great way to see the city from up high. Once you arrive at the top, you are free to spend as much time viewing the city. During the full circle walk on the top, there are informational placards that explain the buildings and sites that are in view. I had a great 30 minutes viewing the city!
Written November 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dannymc1985
Stevenage, UK323 contributions
Oct 2021 • Friends
Well organised and good value, you get a fantastic view of the city and can spend as much or a little time at the top as you wish.
Staff were friendly and covid compliant, masks are required. I would recommend a visit if in town.
Staff were friendly and covid compliant, masks are required. I would recommend a visit if in town.
Written October 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
923Dan
Swindon, UK2,996 contributions
May 2022
Whilst in central Liverpool, took the time to visit the St Johns Beacon - originally built as a ventilation shaft, and later converted into a radio station.
Turned up and was surprised by the heavily restricted opening hours - even then the staff only open the doors when they seem to feel like it.
A quiet day as there was only myself and a couple up there.
Fantastic far reaching views.
Lots of info plaques as to the history of the tower, its refit and current use.
Recommended for great views - though check up on if its open before you travel!
Turned up and was surprised by the heavily restricted opening hours - even then the staff only open the doors when they seem to feel like it.
A quiet day as there was only myself and a couple up there.
Fantastic far reaching views.
Lots of info plaques as to the history of the tower, its refit and current use.
Recommended for great views - though check up on if its open before you travel!
Written June 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it open after dark?I would love to take night images of the city
Written August 1, 2018
Hi, you can go to the Panoramic 34 it has a restaurant on the 34 floor you can get some great night pic's from there I am sure
Written August 2, 2018
Is it open after dark?I would love to take night images of the city
Written August 1, 2018
The windows are too dirty for good quality photos. Just enjoy seeing my childhood home from up there
Written August 2, 2018
Is it cheaper to book in advance or pay on the day
Written October 20, 2016
Where is the entrance? I looked all over yesterday and could not find it. I even asked people around the area and they didn't know.
Written June 26, 2016
Hi
It's at the bottom of the tower on Houghton Street.
Thanks
Written June 29, 2016
Nearest disabled persons parking, please?
Written June 24, 2015
very few as far as I know. the best we found if a free of charge multi storey situated to the right hand side of the Adelphi hotel just over the main road
Written June 25, 2015
open to nyone...we just walked in ..paid n enjoyed the view..make sure it a clear day as you can see further
Written May 18, 2015
How long in the lift to the top
Written January 1, 2015
Less than a minute super fast
Written January 2, 2015
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