Liverpool – visit to the Western Approaches secret bunker

This post follows a really decent trip we had last week to Liverpool.

My last blog write up and pictures (on the rainycity.blog) followed a visit to the Wings & Wheels event. However in that instance we headed to the Avro Heritage Museum in Poynton rather than to  a lively city centre.

For a contrast to the ‘travel and trip’ posts here you can read alternative motorcycle based travel and trip posts over on the motorbikes blog.  The most recent post on that site follows a 1,600 mile trip to the magnificent Scottish Highlands.

Easy to get around

Liverpool always feels a compact city, consequently it’s easy to get around. Despite that sense of scale, there’s a huge amount to see and do.  I can’t imagine you would be bored if you were to base yourself in the city for a few days.

 

An impressive waterfront landscape

Liverpool sits on the River Mersey. It’s a city that has played a key part in Britain’s industrial growth and offers plenty to see and do.

The Liverpool waterfront looks impressive and is recognised as one of the country’s most striking urban landscapes.

The city is well known worldwide for its music and football, but there’s another fascinating side to the place. Its historic centre, grand Victorian buildings and lively streets have stories to tell.

There’s also a rich maritime history that feels like it’s woven into almost every corner. You can see it on street names and pub names. Pub name examples include: Baltic Fleet, The Ship & Mitre, and the One o’clock Gun are 

These also point to the city’s longstanding and fascinating relationship with the wider world. It’s a history shaped by centuries of global trade, migration, and cultural exchange.

From previous visits I would recommend visiting the International Slavery Museum and the Maritime Museum.

The slavery museum stands out as a place with a remarkable and deeply important story.

Although the Maritime Museum is more than worth taking the time to visit, I gather it’s closed until 2029 due to major refurbishment.

Western Approaches Museum

It was my daughter who suggested this trip as she planned to visit the Western Approaches Museum with her eldest son.

Before she mentioned it, I had never heard of the museum and indeed was unaware of the city’s role in that aspect of World War II. However, we joined her and enjoyed a genuinely decent day.

The museum sits in the city centre, and moreover, it is a maze of rooms and offices that once held 300 staff. It served as the nerve centre for the Battle of the Atlantic during WWII, and in fact, teams there monitored convoy routes and vital shipping lines.

They staff worked to protect merchant ships and minimise the risk of submarine attacks, and as a result, the whole place is quite fascinating.

And nearby to the museum …

Liverpool Town Hall – immediately nearby

Pier Head – roughly 5–7 minutes’ walk west

Royal Albert Dock – roughly 10–15 minutes’ walk south

Cavern Quarter – roughly 5–10 minutes’ walk east

Liverpool ONE – roughly 10 minutes’ walk south-east

Lime Street Station – roughly 15 minutes’ walk east

The Mersey Ferry 

The tour of the Western Approaches museum is done on a self directed basis.  Allowing up to about two hours for museum would be about right for most people.

We booked our tickets in advance (although you don’t need to) and combined it with a trip on the Mersey ferry for only a few pounds more than the museum ticket.

Top value cafe

We also found a very decent ‘back street’ cafe called Cook Street Coffee.  It’s remarkable value and something of a ‘hidden gem’. I would recommend it as well worth checking out if you’re looking for refreshments. It’s run by husband and wife team – Peter and Fiona.

Picture gallery

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