Western Approaches HQ Museum - The Battle of the Atlantic Experience

Western Approaches HQ Museum - The Battle of the Atlantic Experience

Western Approaches HQ Museum - The Battle of the Atlantic Experience
4.5
Military MuseumsHistoric SitesHistory Museums
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
You were once required to sign the Official Secrets Act to enter the building, now it’s open for visitors to freely explore the immense bunker. The labyrinth of rooms and offices is a precious time capsule and although the 300 war time staff have long gone, a visit to the museum will transport you back to that time and make you ask questions about the people who once worked there. Self-guided tours take approx 1.5 hours Walk through hidden rooms and discover the stories locked in the WW2 bunker that protected the tactics of the British Armed Forces plotting to bulwark the Western Approaches and aid the Allied victory. Glimpse the documents and tools the Forces used to monitor enemy convoys and inform the British government of their findings, whilst keeping their intelligence secret from the enemy, including one of only two surviving wartime phones which had a direct connection to the London War Cabinet. See where Commanders, WRNS and WAAF personnel worked day and night.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Central Liverpool
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See what travelers are saying
  • 337Jan
    27 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Western Approaches, the secret war rooms.
    We had a three day trip to Liverpool primarily ‘doing ‘ the museums and this is one I shall remember most. We came across it by chance but what a fascinating place, so long as you are interested in the Atlantic and Arctic convoys of WW11. One audio of ‘Frank’ telling the story of his rescue from the ocean after his ship was torpedoed brought me to tears. Staff here, like all we found in Liverpool, were friendly and helpful and the idea of free tea/coffee making facilities at the end of the tour is great.
    Visited March 2023
    Written March 30, 2023
  • Anitafreemo
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellents
    I did not know what to expect when my friend booked the tickets but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Even down to the little touches of stamping out books. The information was so interesting where I discovered so much. I will definatley advise others to book.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written April 2, 2023
  • David Y
    10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The old smell just takes you back to WW2
    I would recommend anyone to visit and experience western approachs. its like stepping back in time to the 40s as you weave your way through the underground corridors. The smell is worth the visit alone but theres so much to see you may need to go back a few times. The ops room is the best.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 27, 2023
  • Sarah W
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Absolutely loved can’t wait to go back and support the museum further
    Came as a part of a group. The museum leads were very knowledgeable and passionate about Western Approaches part in the WW2 Battle of the Atlantic, as well as had an amazing exhibit on the WRNS. Some of the most under looked aspects of this war were the logistics side. I great to see a preservation and restoration of a building used in this war. 10/10 would recommend to anyone interested in learning more about the Battle of the Atlantic and the WRNS.
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written May 26, 2023
  • Vicki M
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Brilliant visit to Western Approaches HQ Musuem.
    A must-see for anyone visiting Liverpool. I'm from Liverpool and walked past this building countless times without realising its significance. I really enjoyed exploring the bunker and following the route to the Operations Room. The work of the WRENS was fascinating.
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written June 10, 2023
  • permia
    40,931 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Worst Journey in the World
    Described by Churchill as the most dangerous journey in the world, here was the Command Centre to protect as best they could the ships on this most perilous of voyages. Essential to providing supplies including food to Britain during the hellish years of WW II, heroic efforts were made to protect the convoys from the ever-present deadly menace of the U Boats. An absorbing and sobering account is given, aided by so many artefacts and black and white photos of the time.
    Visited June 2023
    Written July 28, 2023
  • Merrowmum
    Guildford, United Kingdom1,284 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Superbly done
    This is a brilliant little museum - don't think stuffy exhibits in cases, think wandering around the actual site, exploring different rooms and seeing how they were at that crucial part of history. Absolutely fascinating, superb recreations, lots to read and plenty of interactivity too - from stamps for your "passcard" at various points to a go at putting a golf ball, trying on uniforms and having a go with a typewriter! The tea/coffee point at the end, with its honesty box, is a lovely touch. Both members of staff I encountered were so lovely too. Highly recommended.
    Visited August 2023
    Written August 13, 2023
  • Dave
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing and powerful
    It was all amazing. I was in for one and half hours but that didn’t do it justice - you could easily spend all day getting into the underlying stories if real people doing such a valuable job in the war effort . All of the original contents give it real history and the main control centre is really impressive . Inspiring and moving at the same time
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written August 15, 2023
  • Tom L
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Best kept secret
    The museum is fantastic and is interactive. It gave us an insight into how much work was carried out to keep the Atlantic convoys going which was vital to us winning the war. Our 9 year old grandson loved the experience. It also described how much Liverpool did to help the war effort and what price it paid during the war.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written September 1, 2023
  • John A
    Hazlemere, United Kingdom3 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fascinating museum
    Fascinating museum which illustrates the vital importance of the World War II convoys, not just across the Atlantic to Britain but also from Britain to Russia. The convoys really did win the war and without the command & control centre at Derby House in Liverpool many more ships would have been sunk by German U-Boats. The plotting room with its huge maps is amazing! And the new Wrens museum highlights the role of women in the Royal Navy from the First World War through to the current day.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written September 10, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,284 reviews
Excellent
1,021
Very good
197
Average
31
Poor
21
Terrible
15

Phil L
Öskemen, East Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Have been wanting to visit this for a number of years ,but finally got the chance. Took my grandson aged 13 and he was fascinated by it all. A living museum where you get the feel of being part of the story it portrays. For a realistic price you get 1 year free admission to return as many times as you like, and at the end of the tour there is tea and coffee/biscuits just put a few pennies in the box. All profits go to expanding and preserving the building.
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your visit and for supporting us, we will hope to see you back again with your free returns.
Written February 12, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Neilh1878
Liverpool, UK120 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
Visited here with my Canadian girlfriend while she was visiting Liverpool was a great experience from start to finish. Was able to take our time walking round and taking everything in was really an eye opener and great to see the command centre plus the cramped conditions inside. We both had fun and she loved the Canada room felt like home also was very nice to have tea and biscuits afterwards at war time prices. Also have souvenirs to take home afterwards to remind you of the visit
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
That's fantastic, so pleased you enjoyed it and happy to always see visitors from Canada
Written February 19, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Mary W
27 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Friends
This is a fascinating museum with a wealth of history to share. An unknown part of the war story about ordinary people doing an extraordinary job. It is expensive and, if it is to be able to continue, it needs to be able to attract more visitors so needs to be cheaper.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your visit, we are sorry you found us expensive, your entry also includes a hot drink and biscuits and your ticket means you are able to come back as many times as you want in a year and hopefully you got your souvenir ticket, which is a replica pass - hopefully you were able to stay with us for over an hour as most people do. So we consider ourselves good value for money and don't get issues with the cost. Also as a community interest company all our income goes into supporting the building as we get no funding, so the funds are paying for the future development as well as the day to day costs.
Written February 18, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

James L
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2020
Just visited this museum and it was great. It gives an ability to touch and breath recent history, which you only see in books on movies like "Sink the Bismarck". It was
£13.50 to get in (but keep your ticket and you can return again for free) we also had the guided tour and it was well worth the one off payment of £20 per group, it was refreshing to hear all the inside info passed on from such an enthusiastic guide. If you are visiting Liverpool you might see the Beatles tour and other museums but this museum shows the real heroes to which we owe so much. It was a real privilege to see, don't leave Liverpool without seeing this.
Written December 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

middleagedspread
Chester, UK24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
An amazing secret from World War II, this original building was the HQ of Britain’s response to the Battle of the Atlantic. Hidden for 75 years the facility can now be visited and it’s possible to imagine the life of the people, many of them aged between 17 and 21, who worked here. We took a guided tour with Olivia who knew so much about the function and purpose of the work undertaken here.

A bonus is that our entrance fee entitles us to visit again for 12 months so we can come and look around on our own. Magical.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thank you so much for the review and we are very pleased you enjoyed your tour and learnt so much, we will look forward to seeing you again
Written March 9, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

liverbird15
liverpool80 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
An underground WWII bunker that was secret for decades even after the war ended. It tells the story of people's different experiences in wartime. The role of women is clearly highlighted.Documents ,original equipment, uniforms, rooms left as they were, are all on display. Reminded me of the Cabinet war rooms.
The videos you can watch clearly show the impact on the home front with original footage. I loved the row of shops at the end (especially the sweet shop) . The whole thing is a step back in time
Excellent attention paid to covid measures. There was a one way system plenty of hand gel and staff cleaning . It is a large place so you didn't feel it was over crowded . The staff are fantastic- so knowledgeable and helpful.
If you are a local it will make you wonder why you haven't been before and if you are a visitor you would want to visit again on your return (tickets are valid for 1 year).
Written August 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for reviewing us so well and mentioning our covid measures. We are a large building so we believe people can feel safe as you have described.
Written August 25, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kathryn21_10
Chester, UK60 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Family
My family and I visited early afternoon and spent a thoroughly enjoyable 90 minutes touring the rooms and exhibits. There is a one way system in place and regular hand sanitiser stations to reassure visitors. There is plenty of space to socially distance and we felt relaxed and comfortable throughout. You feel as if you are stepping back in time as you travel underground to explore the many rooms where talented individuals made decisions which helped to win the Battle of the Atlantic. Staff are welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable. Well worth a visit.
Written August 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thanks so much and very pleased you found us safe
Written August 13, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

pand0ra66
Gloucestershire, UK33 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020
Located down a small side street, this Museum gives a fascinating insight into the top secret work carried out by Naval personnel during WW2. The route around the self guided tour takes you through a maze of rooms and offices hidden deep underground. Housing original equipment and documentation, you are transported back in time and we spent an hour and a half soaking up British history at it's best. Very interesting and informative, well worth a visit.
Written September 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thank you for your review and for visiting us, we are pleased to hear you enjoyed it
Written September 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Ben W
Rugeley, UK72 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Friends
What a hidden gem. Been twice now and a wonderful museum that is highly recommended. Spent a weekend at their 1940’s event and everyone connected with the museum was helpful. The Ops Room scenario really bought home the vital role this building played during WWII
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Were glad to hear you came back again, thanks for your interest
Written March 4, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Tammy W
7 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
An interesting museum to be sure, staff were incredibly friendly, lots on interactive displays, videos, stamps, morse code rooms and little tid bits of information scattered about. The little passports you get to find stamps around the museum for is a really nice touch. Gift shop was affordable but actual entry prices are on the high side which we were a bit shocked at (not to mention if you wanted a guided tour) understandably you have to keep the lights on but when most other attractions are free you would expect a more competitive price however that doesn't take away from the actual museum as it was still worth the money to have a look around just isn't very budget friendly.
Written July 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for the visit, we, unlike the other museums you mention which are free, get no funding and everything we earn goes back into the building and its restoration. Your entry gives you unlimited entry for a year, so we feel it is good value this also includes your souvenir passport you mention. We offer a huge museum attraction, rather than just a museum. We have to charge extra for a private tour, as that's an hour of staff time and an awful lot of research goes into our tours.
Written July 23, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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Western Approaches HQ Museum - The Battle of the Atlantic Experience, Liverpool

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