Western Approaches
ENTRY
from £1
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Liverpool
What it’s like
Wander a real WWII bunker beneath the city streets, from the wartime shop fronts to the Operations Room where the maps still sit.
This is the original underground headquarters that ran the Battle of the Atlantic, and you get to walk through it yourselves rather than being marched round on a schedule. There's a 1940s street recreation with shop fronts and a dressing-up corner, so kids can try on military jackets and hats before heading into the Operations Room to handle old paperwork, phones and typewriters. A screen plays footage from the end of the war, which lands better than you'd think in a room that once had real people plotting real convoys.
Self-guided tours take around an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half, which feels about right for the amount there is to poke around in. It's £16.50 for an adult but only £1 for under-16s, so a family visit is a lot cheaper than the headline price suggests. Cards only though, no cash accepted, so don't turn up expecting to pay any other way.
The building itself is the catch for anyone with a pushchair or a wheelchair. It's all staircases down into the bunker, the toilets aren't wheelchair accessible, and there's no changing places facility. Visitors with mobility restrictions aren't charged entry, which is something, but it's worth knowing before you plan a visit around a buggy.
You don't need to book ahead, though they'd rather you did if you can. There are no timed slots either way, so it's a straightforward walk-up if you're passing near Moorfields or James Street stations. During Summer in the Bunker there's a Family Trail running alongside the usual displays, plus rotating craft activities to take home.
What’s on here
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- School-age kids curious about history; buggies won't get far
- Last entry
- 5:00pm
- Booking
- Advance booking recommended but walk-ups welcome
- Parking
- Pay and display on Rumford Street in front (NCP)
- How long to allow
- Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 1.5 hours
- Wheelchairs
- Limited access due to staircases
- Getting there by bus or train
- Two underground stations (Moorfields, James Street) within walking distance
- Cashless site, cards and contactless only, no cash accepted
- There's a gift shop and baby changing facilities on site
- During Summer in the Bunker there's a Family Trail and rotating craft activities to take home
- Visitors with mobility restrictions aren't charged entry, given the limited wheelchair access
- Last entry is 5pm even though the site's open until 6pm
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£16.50 for an adult and £1 for a child under 16. There's also an annual pass at £19.50 for adults and £5 for kids if you fancy going back.
Do we need to book?
Booking ahead is preferred but not required. There are no timed slots, so you can just turn up on the day.
How long does a visit take?
Around an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half to explore the bunker properly.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs or pushchairs?
Access is limited because of the many staircases down into the bunker. Some upper floor rooms are reachable but not via the main route, and the toilets aren't wheelchair accessible.
Can we pay with cash?
No, it's a cashless site. You'll need a credit or debit card, or contactless.
Is there parking nearby?
There's pay and display parking right outside on Rumford Street, plus other car parks nearby including the Capital Building.
What's the easiest way to get there without a car?
Moorfields and James Street underground stations are both within walking distance, and the Pier Head ferry terminal is only a few minutes away.
Are guided tours available?
You can pre-book a guided tour for £75 per group of up to 15 people, on top of the individual entry fee.
What if I'm a carer?
Carers get a free ticket for each paying visitor, as long as you can show proof such as DLA, PIP or an Access Card with the companion symbol.
Is there anything for a birthday or school trip?
School visits and group bookings are catered for, with a discounted rate of £14.50 per person for groups of ten or more.
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