Western Approaches — Attraction in Liverpool

Visited here while in Liverpool,i like to visit things regarding history,wars,buildings etc and had walked past this door as i was parking my car...didn't think it would b that great if I'm honest as it is housed on a little street n looks tiny but what a surprise I got when I went in...its so surprising when you find out how big it actually is...we expected a few rooms,extortionate pricing 4 entries or gifts...NO,was very reasonable priced and very informative...its a self guide tour so there's no rush,once your entry fee is paid your given a passport which means any more entry for the next YEAR with this book is free and there is little stamps to collect in it as you go through the different parts of your tour....you wander through rooms and corridors reading about the history of the armed forces during war times,seeing how things were for people with rations,woman entering the forces,trying out some of the apparatus,for example the morse code machines,what war rooms looked like etc...even having a little tea n coffee break,you actually learn quite a lot...you can go around again if you wish,take hours or minutes...totally upto yourself..and then when your finished you can go buy a gift...this is the bit most people start sweating at...but don't...there are lovely little gifts at very very good prices...we bought replica ration books,war cooking...even soap...and it was the cheapest gifts I've ever purchased...n probably some of the most thoughtful gifts as well...the staff were all lovely and I enjoyed the tour...now the reason for a 3 star rating and not a 5...In my party of 3 patrons there was 1 OAP,1 student and 1 disabled(me) now,I'm a part time wheelchair user but all time walking sticks user and I did struggle because of stairs n walking,I wasn't told on entering that there would be any stairs,i dont know how a wheelchair user would be able to go in because its quite narrow n no lifts...I'll need to find out if its possible n its not really for young children,this didn't affect me but could others...so that is why only 3 stars...apart from that a great way to spend a hour or more if this...

This is an absolute marvellous museum situated in the heart of Liverpool, which was formerly a WWII bunker. The museum tells the tale of the site being a command centre for Communications in WWII and how it delivered those communications to those fighting in the War Effort in particular the Royal Navy and the museum delivers the story in an excellent and thoroughly informative way. There are various rooms you go through including the Operations Room and Radio Communications where you can see all the original layouts and some artefacts giving you an idea of what life was like in the bunker during WWII and the two stand out rooms are the Operation Rooms and the Radio Communications where in the Radio Communications Room you can have a go at sending an SOS message and in the Operations Room you can clearly imagine how the bunker was run during WWII and the layout of the room gives you a clear idea how things were co-ordinated during the period. When you first come into the museum you see an old shopping street layout where you can see in the shops and what was sold at that time and you can watch a decent short introductory film about the history of Western Approaches and also watch about a U-Boat that was recovered and both films are very interesting and informative to watch. At the end of the visit you can enjoy refreshments at the prices they during WWII and there is a donations box available to leave a kindly donation behind for those refreshments. There is a small gift shop selling a decent range of souvenirs at good affordable prices. Staff are very helpful and friendly providing assistance where appropriate. Overall this a pleasant, interesting, enjoyable and informative attraction and great for those who want to...

Having read Andrew Robert’s Winston Churchill book and the significance of the Battle of Britain during WWII- I was glad that Liverpool has developed this museum, and also a must for all war enthusiasts.

Located just a five-minute walk from Albert Dock, this museum offers an interesting insight into Liverpool’s role during the Battle of the Atlantic. However, when compared to the Churchill War Rooms in London, it falls noticeably short. While it has potential, the experience feels underdeveloped and could benefit from greater attention to detail.

The entrance is at street level, where tickets are purchased, followed by a descent down a staircase to begin the visit. The experience starts with a short video outlining the Battle of the Atlantic, which sets the scene well. Visitors then explore about a dozen rooms, each showcasing a different aspect of wartime operations.

Unfortunately, the exhibits rely heavily on static displays and written descriptions, with only a handful of videos to break up the text-heavy presentation. Features such as the battle craft blackboard and maps of craft locations, while intriguing, would have been greatly enhanced by interactive or audio explanations. A more immersive approach, including guided audio or augmented reality features, could bring these displays to life and engage visitors more effectively.

That said, it remains a valuable museum for understanding Liverpool’s critical contribution to the war effort. While not on par with the immersive storytelling and historical depth of the Churchill War Rooms, it serves as a good local tribute to a vital chapter of World...