TOP OF THE TOWER
RESTAURANT

The Top of the Tower restaurant was leased and managed by Butlins. Their paper work always called the restaurant the "topofthetower".

Tony Benn, along with Billy Butlin, performed the official opening ceremony on May 16th 1966.

In its first year over 100,000 diners ate in the restaurant, which seems almost impossible today, but back then, the restaurant served 800 lunches and 1,300 dinners each week.

The Top of the Tower restaurant was open from 1966 unit 1980, when the lease was not renewed.

The 36th floor contained the kitchens, the 35th floor was the cocktail bar and the on the 34th floor was the Top of the Tower restaurant. Below the restaurant were the viewing platforms.

The restaurant had a revolving floor, which rotated every 23 minutes, so the windows and central section remained static. Some jester commented that the changing skyline give diners something to distract them from the fact that their waiters no longer had any idea where their particular table has was.

The menus were in French, because in those that is what 'posh' restaurants did. The restaurant was definitely up-market, to attract those with the means to pay for eating in a premier venue.

Each diner got a 'Certificate of Orbit' and a medallion could be also be obtained.

In 1971 a terrorist bomb exploded which caused the viewing platforms to be closed to the public, although the restaurant remained in operation and still under the control of Butlins until their lease expired in 1980. This meant that the both the restaurant and the viewing areas were now closed to the public for security reasons.

Click here for a video of the restaurant floor under test

Certificate of Orbit

Medallion

A circular, bronze medal with a detachable mount and a gold coloured chain 680mm long.
The obverse of the medal has the title "MEDAL OF ORBIT" around the rim.
Centrally placed is the following text: "The Bearer Has Dined in Orbit At The Top Of The Tower Revolving Restaurant Located 525ft At The Top of The GPO Tower London".
The reverse depicts a montage of a number of landmarks of London, namely: Saint Paul's Cathedral, Statue of Eros, Post Office Tower, Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge.
The medal included a presentation case of fabric covered metal.
On the inside of the lid there is a silken lining that has the following text printed on it:
"ONLY AVAILABLE AT THE TOPOFTHETOWER LONDON" and "SOLID BRONZE".