Western Approaches Museum facts for kids
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Western Approaches Museum, Rumford Street, Liverpool
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| Location | Derby House, Exchange Flags, Liverpool, England, United Kingdom |
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| Public transit access | Moorfields railway station |
| Nearest parking | Rumford St, L2 8SZ |
The Western Approaches Museum in Liverpool, England, is a fascinating museum. It tells the story of a secret command centre from World War II. This centre was vital for protecting ships during the Battle of the Atlantic. It helped fight against German U-boats (submarines) that attacked supply convoys. Today, you can explore the restored rooms and see real items from that time.
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What is the Western Approaches Museum?
The museum is located in Derby House in Liverpool. This building was once the secret headquarters for the Western Approaches Command. This command group was in charge of keeping shipping lanes safe. They protected ships carrying important supplies across the Atlantic Ocean during World War II. The museum shows how they planned and fought this crucial battle.
Exploring the Command Centre
When you visit, you can walk through the actual rooms where the work happened.
- Central Operations Room: This was the main control room. Here, officers tracked ships and U-boats on huge maps.
- Cypher Room: This is where secret messages were decoded and encoded. It was a very important and secure area.
- 1940s Street Scene: You can see what a street in the 1940s looked like.
- NAAFI Canteen: This was a place where service members could get food and drinks.
- Community Classroom: This area is used for educational programs.
Winston Churchill's Projector
The museum also has a special item. It is the original Gaumont Kalee Dragon projector. Winston Churchill, who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the war, used this projector. He watched secret war footage on it to stay updated.
Who Runs the Museum Now?
Since September 2017, a group called Big Heritage has run the museum. They are a social enterprise, which means they use their profits to help the community. Big Heritage has worked hard to restore the site. They have found many old items and reopened parts of the facility. These areas had been closed since the 1960s.
Special Exhibitions
The museum often hosts special displays.
- The Arctic Convoys - A Shared History: This exhibition tells about the brave convoys that sailed to the Arctic.
- Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS): Another exhibition is dedicated to the women who served in the navy during the war.
The U-boat U-534
On October 24, 2021, Big Heritage took over the care of a German U-boat. This submarine is called U-534. There are plans for a new visitor facility to open in 2026. This new facility will house the U-boat.
Visiting the Museum
The museum offers a great experience for visitors.
- Admission: Your entry ticket includes unlimited returns for 12 months.
- Concessions: Special prices are available for certain groups.
- Children: Kids under 16 years old can enter for free.
- Activities: The museum often has holiday activities and events. These are usually included in the admission cost.
