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 special place. It tells the story of how Britain fought a secret war at sea during World War II. This museum is inside the actual underground bunker where the Western Approaches Command worked. They were in charge of protecting ships from German U-boats. This fight was known as the Battle of the Atlantic.
The museum shows you what it was like to work there. You can see the original rooms, just as they were used. It's like stepping back in time to the 1940s.
Exploring the Museum
When you visit the Western Approaches Museum, you can explore many interesting areas. You will see the main operations room. This is where all the important decisions were made.
What You'll Discover
The museum also has a special room for decoding secret messages. This was called the cypher room. There's even a street scene that looks like a street from the 1940s. You can also visit a NAAFI canteen. This was a place where soldiers and workers could get food and drinks. The museum also has a classroom for groups to learn more.
One cool item is the original Gaumont Kalee Dragon projector. Winston Churchill, who was the Prime Minister, used this projector. He watched secret war videos on it.
The Museum Today
Since September 2017, a group called Big Heritage has been running the museum. They are a social enterprise. This means they use their profits to help the community.
Big Heritage has been working hard to restore the site. They have found many old items. They have also opened parts of the bunker that were closed since the 1960s.
The museum now has special exhibits. One is called "The Arctic Convoys - A Shared History." It tells the story of brave sailors who delivered supplies through icy waters. Another exhibit is about the women of the WRNS. This stands for the Women's Royal Naval Service. These women played a very important role in the war effort.
Planning Your Visit
It's easy to visit the Western Approaches Museum. Your entry ticket lets you come back as many times as you like for 12 months. This is great if you want to explore more!
There are also special prices for some visitors. Children under 16 years old can enter for free. The museum often has fun activities and events during school holidays. These are usually included in your ticket price.
