Stokenchurch BT Tower, Oxfordshire, April 2024

[Riskybex0]

Stockenchurch BT Tower was built in the Cold War during the 1960s as part of the backbone project, the tower is made of reinforced concrete and is one of the fourteen built in this design.

Spurs feeding into the network were provided at three locations these being London, Manchester and Birmingham.

Whether or not the Backbone network plan was realised is classified, but HM Government denied in Parliament that the tower's function was secretive.

It's the fourth tallest out of all the tower's and second tallest out of the Chiltern type.

The tower stands at a height of 99.4 metres (326ft) tall.

Map of the UKs backbone system.

The tower in 1963

Now onto the mission the tower as seen from the outside a hour or two before sunrise.

Looking up inside the tower.

Nice to see some old signs still in place.

As well as original lighting...

Take the stairs and not the lift??? Even though there is not one!

Now onto the tower top level...

And then the sun went up and it went foggy...

Then it cleared up and the views were great

Looking down inside the tower

 

[BikinGlynn]

That's pretty cool & certainly a risky - bex

 

[Riskybex0]

That's pretty cool & certainly a risky - bex

There all pretty much similar but all have different views which make them cool, I would sort of class it as a risky bex lol but most these days are redundant and the ones which are not are leased out by BT to phone company's to use as mobile masts

 

[BikinGlynn]

There all pretty much similar but all have different views which make them cool, I would sort of class it as a risky bex lol but most these days are redundant and the ones which are not are leased out by BT to phone company's to use as mobile masts

Not something iv done myself, I would do one just for the photography element

 

[Riskybex0]

Not something iv done myself, I would do one just for the photography element

There definitely worth it for the photography element

 

[Hayman]

I've often seen the tower from the M40. How come it was unlocked? How much climbing over fences, etc was needed?

 

[night crawler]

Something you cannot miss around here and when you drive down the M40, nice work getting to the top and getting some superb views

 

[Sue Andrews]

Used to pass this on A40 as was on the way to mate’s cottage at the weekend. Great pics. Thanks.

 

[Riskybex0]

Something you cannot miss around here and when you drive down the M40, nice work getting to the top and getting some superb views

Cheers Sue Andrews, & Night crawler its definitely iconic for that area

 

[Riskybex0]

I've often seen the tower from the M40. How come it was unlocked? How much climbing over fences, etc was needed?

It was a climb over one fence and a squeeze to get in

 

[verdigris]

super photos, thanks. On the map, what's a 'baseband connection point ' - (for the lay-person )
I note there's one in Essex. Is it anything to do with the 'secret nuclear bunker '.

 

[Riskybex0]

super photos, thanks. On the map, what's a 'baseband connection point ' - (for the lay-person )
I note there's one in Essex. Is it anything to do with the 'secret nuclear bunker '.

Yeah im pretty certain the Essex one is the lattice design mast/tower at Kelvedon Hatch

 

[wolfism]

That’s cool, if you’re interested there’s more info about Backbone in Duncan Campbell’s book War Plan UK.