Western Approaches Command Centre

Useful Information

Location:	1-3 Rumford Street, Liverpool L2 8SZ. (53.4075021, -2.9932392)
Open:	All year daily 10-18. [2024]
Fee:	Adults GBP 14.50, Children (16-21) GBP 11.50, Children (0-15) GBP 1, Seniors (65+) GBP 11.50, World War II Veterans free. Groups (10+): Adults GBP 11.50. [2014]
Classification:	World War II Bunkers
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided, D=1.5 h. Guided tours available at additional fee.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Western Approaches Command Centre, Derby House, 1 Rumford Street, Liverpool L2 8SZ, Tel: +44-151-2272008, Fax: +44-151-2366913.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

The Western Approaches Command Centre was the underground headquarters for the Battle of the Atlantic during World War II. On exhibit are the RAF plotting room, the main operations room, the cypher room, the teleprinter room, and the telephone exchange. Displays illustrate daily life in the 'blitz'.

Western Approaches is the naval term for a rectangle in the Atlantic, west of the British Isles. This imaginary rectangle was the main route through which goods from all over the world could reach the Isles during the war, as the German submarines had blocked most traffic on the southern and eastern side. Liverpool became Britain's main convoy port. To manage this traffic, a naval command was necessary which made sure the ships were directed correctly. Damages by German military were minimized by redirecting them around the north of Ireland. Enemy convoys and wolf packs of submarines were monitored and ships warned.

This command centre was obviously of great strategic importance. First it was loacted at Plymouth, but in 1940 Prime Minister Winston Churchill decided that Plymouth was no longer suitable. It was too vulnerable to German air raids and too distant from main convoy ports and routes. As a result it was relocated in 1941 to a safer location and closer to the new routes. Derby House, a new office block behind Liverpool's town hall, offered a basement, which was reinforced with a massive concrete protection to be bomb and gas-proof. As a result it was called Citadel, Fortress, or even The Dungeon. Royal Navy, Air Force and Royal Marines worked together in the Operations Room.

The historical wartime bunker was restored and opened to the public. Historic photographs are on display and are proof that it has been reconstructed exactly how it was during World War II. Since SEP-2017 it is run by a social enterprise group named Big Heritage. We have no idea how this works, it seems to be a company and a non-profit organization at the same time. They claim nonsensical stuff like "Big Heritage are thought-leaders and innovators in the field of heritage engagement in the UK." We have no idea which thoughts need leadership. However, it seems the site was very well-preserved and also developed with new exhibitions and an announcement to add the German U-Boot U-534 to the museum in 2026. They offer a lot of interesting things, like the Annual Pass which is only slightly more expensive than a single entry. On the other hand the offer that people who served in the Second World War enter for free and get a gift bag, seems a little cynical. In 2024 a guy who served in 1945 aged 16 (which is definitely exceptional) is aged 95. People who actually served and were not underage are now more than 100 years old. We guess they do not need many gift bags.