Western Approaches HQ - The Battle of the Atlantic Experience

Counting down to Fathers Day weekend:

Letters to and from Dad

- To read more letters, visit us this weekend for our brand new Fathers Day Display.

Share your own letters below!!

A little wartime humour with Fathers Day coming up!

Swipe through and tell us your favourite - or share your own below

Who knows… we might need a few more for the weekend! ❤️

Do you have a story about your dad during WWII?

This Father’s Day, we’re remembering the fathers, grandfathers, and family members whose lives were shaped by wartime.

At Western Approaches, we’re collecting the personal stories that bring history to life - the letters they wrote, the photographs they kept, the memories shared, and the moments that have been passed down through generations.

We’d love to hear from you…

Did your dad serve during WWII?
Do you have a letter, photograph, or family memory to share?
What stories have been told about his wartime experiences?

We’ll be reading your stories during our Father’s Day weekend event, helping to share and preserve these memories for future generations.

Leave your story in the comments or send us a message ❤️

This Father's Day we are hosting a special weekend celebrating Dads who lived through wartime!

We will have brand new displays, crafts, stories and artifacts highlighting these incredible men.

If you're struggling for a last minute gift, our shop will certainly inspire you!

What was WATU?

WATU (Western Approaches Tactical Unit) was a top-secret Royal Navy unit based in Liverpool, created in 1942 to help defeat German U-boat “wolf packs” in the Atlantic.

Staffed largely by young officers and members of the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS), WATU used floor-based wargames to study enemy tactics and develop new anti-submarine strategies.

The work carried out at WATU helped shape naval tactics during the Second World War and played a vital role in the Battle of the Atlantic.

The photo depicts the women of WATU playing said wargames.

New WATU archive stories every Sunday at 3PM.

Summer is nearly here and we can't wait to bring our incredible events to life.

Dates TBC - keep an eye on our social media!

This summer we will be debuting a brand new experience - our Vintage Boutique, allowing people of all ages to get their hair done in a truly vintage style.

This event will be priced at £4pp with limited slots available.

Dates are to be confirmed - keep your eyes out for more information!!

As we remember the anniversary of D-Day,

Did you know that the English Channel was clear of U-boats because of the work of the Western Approaches Tactical Unit - which was challenged to rise to this task after their successful victory against the U-boats in the Battle of the Atlantic ?

Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families and friends of the Royal Navy personnel who have lost their lives in today’s tragic accident in Devon.