Signal Hill
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Why go
- The French army’s last stand in North America during the Seven Years War took place here.
- The Signal Hill Tattoo presents Newfoundland regiments through period drills, battle tactics and cannon fire.
- Visiting amateur radio operators may use Cabot Tower’s radio station in summer.
- Trails connect Signal Hill with the Grand Concourse walkway system.
- Ladies’ Lookout, the summit, stands 167 metres high.
Opening hours
Today10:00 – 18:00Show all
Walking route
Don't miss
- Cabot Tower exhibitsExhibits explore Marconi and the tower’s wireless station.At the top of Signal Hill.
- Queen’s Battery BarracksRestored to their 1862 appearance.Signal Hill
Photo spots
- Ladies’ LookoutHarbour and city views from Ladies’ Lookout.At the hill’s summit.
Tips for your visit
- The visitor centre combines interactive exhibits with a film about military and communications history.
- The visitor centre houses a chocolate café operated by the Newfoundland Chocolate Company.
- A heritage gift shop occupies Cabot Tower’s first floor.
Interesting facts5
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William Amherst renamed the hill from “The Lookout” to “Signal Hill” after its signal mast.
Signal Hill (Neufundland) - Wikipedia -
1960
Flag signals passed between land and sea from the summit from the 17th century until 1960.
Signal Hill, St. John's - Wikipedia -
A citadel was built on the hill in the late 18th century.
Signal Hill (Neufundland) - Wikipedia -
Parks Canada manages the National Historic Site.
Signal Hill (Neufundland) - Wikipedia -
1870
Three hospitals stood on the hill between 1870 and 1920; fires destroyed all three.
Signal Hill (Neufundland) - Wikipedia
Shorts
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The Queen’s Battery at Signal Hill St John’s NLRene-i
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st john's newfoundland signal hill@Shifted_Scenery
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Visiting Signal Hill, NewfoundlandKfrance Travels
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Signal Hill hike in St. John’s Newfoundland | What to do in Newfoundl…Dame Untamed
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A historical place in Canada and North America | signal hill St. John…The Dreamer Zaman
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St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador – The Ghosts of Signal HillInspired by Urban Legends
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Tag along for a hike around Signal Hill!Alex Lynch
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NEWFOUNDLAND Hike Along Chain Rock Signal Hill St. John’s May 28 # 2 …Adventures With Todd
History
Signal Hill’s position above the harbour’s only entrance shaped its military role. Its history also includes the first transatlantic wireless reception and later historic-site designation.
- by the mid-17th centuryFortifications stood on Signal Hill, which guards the harbour’s only entrance.
- 19th centuryTroops manned the hill during the Napoleonic Wars and the American Civil War.
- 1897Construction began on Cabot Tower to mark Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and John Cabot’s 1497 landfall.
- 1900Cabot Tower officially opened for flag signalling and as a Marconi wireless station.
- 12 December 1901Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless transmission in Morse code from Poldhu, at a fever and diphtheria hospital on the hill. Fire later destroyed the hospital.
Show all
- World War IIThe hill housed United States anti-aircraft guns.
- 30 May 1951Signal Hill and Cabot Tower became a National Historic Site of Canada.
- 25 May 1959The Canadian government declared the Battle of Signal Hill a national historic event.
How to get there
- ParkingSignal Hill is at 230 Signal Hill Road, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Free on-site parking.
Sources: Signal Hill, St. John's - Wikipedia · St. John's - Wikivoyage (see) · Signal Hill National Historic Site · Hours of operation - Signal Hill National Histo… · Fees - Signal Hill National Historic Site · Signal Hill (Neufundland) - Wikipedia · Signal Hill (Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador) - Wikiped… · checked 28 Sep 2026
- Phone
- +1 709-772-5367
Questions and answers
How much does it cost to visit Signal Hill?
Access to the grounds is free. Admission fees apply only to the visitor centre.
What are Signal Hill’s opening hours?
Site opening hours are Monday–Sunday, 10:00–18:00.
Can children visit Signal Hill for free?
Visitors aged 17 and under enter Parks Canada places free.
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