This building has been home to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) since the 1930s. The distinctive sculpture outside, designed by Eric Gill, is of Shakespeare’s Ariel, who has become the symbol of British broadcasting.

You can visit the BBC Experience on Air exhibition, which was set up to commemorate the Corporation’s 75th birthday. The exhibition charts the history of the BBC and TV and radio in general. From Marconi’s wireless to the latest CD-ROMs, it charts it all. It also has several interactive galleries where, for example, you can forecast the weather, direct your own television soap, or take part in a radio programme.

The BBC Experience is open daily from 9.30am-5pm.Also at Broadcasting house is a bookshop where you can purchase BBC publications.

During the Second World War, the Germans were very concerned about the influence of the BBC. Little wonder when the broadcasts from the BBC were listened to all over Europe and were regarded as an important propaganda tool.

Germany was worried enough to consider the BBC a strategic target and so on 15th October, 1940 it suffered a direct hit by a German bomb. Seven people died, but the 9 O’clock news continued to be read by Bruce Belfrage right through the explosion.

As a result the BBC came to be regarded across Britain and Europe as a symbol of British strength and steadfastness.