Western Command: Heritage Day 1 2017.

I have long wanted to visit 'Western Command': the imposing Classical-looking building on the banks of the Dee.

Western Command from Riverside

I've gone past the gates in Queen's Park and looked through the gates

Original 1930s gateposts

but today I had the chance to look inside thanks to Chester University and the Heritage Open Day.

Entrance to Western Command from south

Beginning with what 'might' have happened during World War Two (the meeting of Winston Churchill, Dwight Eisenhower, and Charles de Gaulle), two members of staff gave a very interesting potted history of the place from the first floor.  As well as having a great view from the balcony over the river

View from the second floor

it also contained one of the largest tables I've ever seen in my life.  I was hoping it was Churchill's mapping table, but it was not.  It was part of the furnishing of the bank when it took over in the 1990s.  The bank was also responsible for the Portico additions front and back,

North side of Western Command facing the river.

and the Art Deco interior design.

Entrance lobby

Eventually, the bank gave it up and the University took over a couple of years ago and named the building after Churchill, whose bust adorns the entrance.

Bust of Churchill

One of the main points of interest was the bunkers.  I read somewhere that these were a mirror image of the offices above ground, but it seems, from the descriptions we were given, that this is not quite the case.  They are not directly below the building, but a little to the east and north due to geological considerations.

Plan building and bunkers provided by staff from the university

They are also inaccessible due to being in an unsafe state, although this has not stopped some urban underground explorers.

Secret Underground Tunnels, Western Command Chester

Garage number 7 (built by the bank for their car pool) is approximately over one of the corridors of the bunkers,

Number 7 garage - location of bunkers (beneath)

which would have been entered via this door at the side

Original 1930s entrance (possible location of bunker entrance)

or via an entrance inside the building which has now been blocked off

Possible location of bunker entrance.

or a couple of entrances on the river bank.

There is talk that one day these bunkers may be open to view to the general public - but the river is intent on claiming them too, and I suspect may get there first.

Altogether, an extremely interesting tour - whetting my interest to find out more.