Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History Hoylake Decoy WW2

Hoylake decoy was in use between 1941 and 1943, it consisted of a QF(fire) and QL(light) decoys. Unusually it never became a starfish site. It is designated C6L which means Liverpool Civilian No 6.

The control bunker is in pretty good condition and is unusual in only have one room and the entrance corridor. Most control bunkers have a second generator room. There are two entrances, the front entrance with blast wall missing and a roof entrance. I have yet to find the front entrance from outside!

Both grid covers for the cable tunnels were present but the place has been stripped with only one small piece of wood left on the wall. Despite the recent rain it was dry inside.

The bunker is invisible even though it is entiely above ground, the overgrowth completely hides it at the moment. If you do want to visit this site please get in touch with the owners first (China Plate Farm, John and Angela - she runs the bed and breakfast and answers the phone), they are very nice people and will say yes. Also be aware that there is a protected spieces very near by that shouldn't be disturbed.

This is the hardest place I have found to get into as well as find, I was wandering round it trying to find it for 20 minutes even though I knew were it was within 20 feet, then after climbing on top it took 10 minutes to find the roof entrance, despite help from somebody who knew it. BEWARE to the Carr Lane side of the roof entrance there is possible a 9ft drop (as there is down the roof entrance), the overgrowth hides this. Also the ladder has lost its bottom supports, which means you end up in an overhang climb, there is a danger the ladder top supports may give way with the unsupported movement.

This is definately down on the Winter revisit site list. I think this is the last of the Wirral decoy bunkers to find - it is interesting that most of these control bunkers seem to have survived.

yerr man nice find and pics mate good to see ya!

good work, take me when the nettles are gone ? that looks like a nightmare

n10094 should like this when he comes back from his hols.

Brilliant work Thanks

Lovely job,another piece of Wirral history in pictures and text for future amateur Wirral history buffs.

ha ha ha ha - the vegetation is a killer there !

I gave up, knowing that it was there, and having suffered enough vegetation related injuries already !

Nice little read there and what a find! Well done.

Any triffids? Killer veg!

Thanks bri445 for identifying the weirdo plants at the bottom of my garden. It also ties in with those strange lights in the sky !!
Funny, haven't seen the wife since she went to do a bit of weeding down there ! Mmmmmmm...?

You'll have to get your own dinner, then!

I would not be surprised to find a triffid on that bunker as well !

Machetes at the ready then, it looks like a jungle out there.

Thanks for the info and pics!!