Sutton Common BT Tower

The Sutton Common BT Tower is a 72-meter-tall concrete structure standing on Croker Hill at the western edge of Peak District National Park. The facility houses transmission equipment that connects various radio stations and communication services throughout the region.

The tower was built in the 1960s as a reinforced concrete structure and formed part of the GPO Cold War Backbone network for secure national communications. Its location in the Midlands made it a vital point in the nationwide telecommunications infrastructure during that era.

The tower broadcasts local radio stations that serve surrounding communities with music and news programming. This connection has shaped daily life in the region for many decades.

The tower itself is not open to the public, but the surrounding area offers good walking and photography opportunities from public paths. The best time to visit is during clear weather, when views across the surrounding landscape are at their best.

The tower uses specialized microwave transmission equipment to relay signals between Heaton Park to the north and Pye Green to the south. This relay function connects a large geographic area and was critical to the region's early telecommunications infrastructure.

GPS coordinates: 53.20612,-2.10070

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:24