List of former RNLI stations

Former RNLI stations can be found all around the coast of the entire British Isles, and were the locations for a fleet of rescue lifeboats.

The service was established in 1824 as the Royal National Institute for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (RNIPLS), later to become the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1854, and is operated largely by volunteers. Its headquarters are now at Poole in Dorset and it is a registered charity in both the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

In the days before motor-powered vessels, lifeboat stations were established at strategic locations around the coast, often just a few miles apart, where sailing vessels were known to have been driven ashore in poor conditions. The lifeboats would usually be 'Pulling and Sailing' (P&S) lifeboats, equipped with both oars and sails.

With increasing numbers of motor-powered vessels, the number of shipwrecks declined rapidly. Motor-powered lifeboats were introduced in the early 1900s, which could then cover larger distances in shorter times. Inevitably, the number of lifeboat stations required also declined, and many stations closed. In some places, a well constructed lifeboat house still stands, but in others, no evidence remains.

This is a list of former RNIPLS and RNLI stations, primarily those where the RNLI has now ceased operations from that particular location, town or village. Some RNLI sites, where the station is still in operation, but not necessarily at the original location, are included in the List of RNLI stations.

In a handful of locations, an Independent lifeboat service has been re-established, some using the original RNLI boathouse. Details can be found here:– Independent lifeboats in Britain and Ireland

Regions The information is correct with reference to the Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2026 unless noted otherwise, and is set out like the RNLI's divisional model. As far as possible it follows a clockwise route around the coast.

North and East Region (North East and East England) South East Region (South and South East England) South West Region (South West England and the Channel Islands) Wales and West Region: (Wales, North West England and the Isle of Man) Scotland Region (Scotland) Ireland Region (Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland)

List of stations by Region North & East Region Station Location Dates Comments Photo Only one of four former boathouses survives, the 1884 boathouse, currently used as a Lifeboat Museum. 1882–1897 The Boat House, currently a holiday let 1825–1968 Now home to Boulmer Volunteer Rescue Service. 1854–1935 2024, Alnmouth Community Rowing Club. 1853–1939 Private residence 1875–1944 Now Cresswell Village Hall 1818–1918 Now the site of Whitburn Angling Club. No evidence remains. 1902–1912 No evidence remains 1855–1979 1870 boathouse now forms part of the East Durham Heritage and Lifeboat Museum. Remains of the 1909 boathouse and slipway are still visible. 1966–1993 ILB Station 1847–1906 No evidence remains 1824–1922 No evidence remains 1907–1909 No evidence remains 1854–1895 Boathouse demolished by 1913. No evidence remains. 1911–2006 Station demolished after 2006. Little or no evidence remains. 1919–1922 Station building demolished before 1927. No evidence remains. 1866–1978 Tractor store used by Runswick Bay Rescue Boat since 1982. 1865–1919 No evidence remains 1881–1931 Boathouse now a shelter and public toilets. A replica service board is on the wall. 1884–1898 Boathouse demolished, but some foundations may remain. Hornsea 1852–1924 Now a private residence. The Independent Hornsea Inshore Rescue was established in 1994. 1913–1933 No evidence remains 1882–1927 No evidence remains 1965–1980 ILB Station. 1829–1931 Located at the site of what became RAF Donna Nook. No evidence remains. 1828–1882 Theddlethorpe closed in 1882 due to difficulties launching and lack of crew. No evidence remains. 1864–1913 Meridale Centre 1870–1898 Building remains, currently a boutique store. 1825–1830 Transferred to Lincs. Coast Shipwreck Assoc. in 1827. No evidence remains. 1874–1935 No evidence remains on site. Service board hangs in St Mary's Church, Brancaster. 1862–1935 National Trust - Blakeney National Nature Reserve. Mundesley 1811–1895 Former station now a private house. Independent station operated since 1972 by Mundesley Volunteer Inshore Lifeboat. 1822–1882 No evidence remains, believed lost by coastal erosion. 1852–1930 No evidence of Old Lifeboat Station. Independent lifeboat operated since 1972 by Sea Palling Independent Rescue. 1823–1925 Just the building foundations remain 1845–1969 Station now run by Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service. 1869–1879 No evidence remains 2001–2011 ILB Station 1840–1922 Nothing remains of three previous boathouses, some believed lost by coastal erosion. 1867–1936 Very modified private residence 1873–1903 Boathouse site lost to coastal erosion 1853–1900 No evidence remains 1826–1835 1826–1853

South East Region Station Location Dates Comments Photo 2002–2026 Operations transferred to . No evidence remains 1868–1912 Harbour Office and Gift Shop 1865–1932 Deal Angling Club 1866–1927 Now a private residence 1893–1930 Lifeboat house demolished after 1936. No evidence remains. Site recently redeveloped. 1876–1893 Lifeboat house demolished in 1956. No evidence remains. 1893–1940 Two boathouses still remain, one located behind the second. 1826–1838 Was located at Martello Tower No.27 at Dymchurch, but named 'Dungeness No.27 Tower' Lifeboat Station until 1836. Station closed in 1838. Tower No.27 demolished in 1841. 1871–1928 Boathouse demolished to extend Marine Parade into Coast Road. 1857–1901 Named Camber Lifeboat Station until 1862. No evidence remains. 1856–1910 Named Rye Lifeboat Station until 1862. Renamed Rye Harbour in 1910. 1964–1967 Private residence: 107 Marine Parade. 1867–1884 No evidence remains 1886–1918 Formerly on the promenade at Southsea Common; no evidence remains. 1894–1923 Boathouse located on the Pier; no evidence remains. 1890–1915 No evidence of boathouse remains, but the 1:3 steep slipway down the cliff may still be visible. 1860–1915 Now a site for static caravans; little evidence remains. 1860–1937 Derelict ruin 1885–1924 Community Hall? ILB Station, still remains underneath Pier. 1826–1848 No evidence remains 1866–1880 Two refurbished boathouses stand on the site of the lifeboat station. It is not clear which one may have been constructed from the old lifeboat house. 1868–1896 No evidence remains

South West Region Station Location Dates Comments Photo 1826–1851 Former boathouse still exists, at North Side Street/ Trafalgar Road junction. 1878–1880 Little if anything remains of the boathouse, which was located just to the north of what is now Beaucette Marina. Sidmouth 1869–1912 A doorway arch marked RNLBI is all that remains of the old station. It is located across the road from the Independent Sidmouth Lifeboat, established in 1968. 1876–1928 No evidence remains. 1878–1930 Under refurbishment 1878–1927 Private residence. 1859–1922 Moved to Fowey where it was easier to find a crew. The boathouse is now a café. 1869–1930 The lifeboat was based in the village of Portmellon until 1888 when it was moved to Mevagissey. The Portmellon boathouse is now a private residence, and the slipway is still visible. The boathouse at Mevagissey is now an aquarium. 1870–1887 A boathouse built in 1870 is now a church. A second boathouse built in 1877 is now a private residence. 1869–1942 Now used as a village hall. 1901–1980 The 1901 boathouse is now a Fish & Chip restaurant. 1867–1908 Private residence. 1863–1929 Building later used as a shipwreck museum. Now an art studio. 1990–2001 ILB Station. 1803–1917 Station closed between 1812–1826 and again 1828-1851. A boathouse built in 1884 still stands. St Agnes, IOS 1890–1920 Boathouse now used as a store. 1866–1920Now a builders yard, no evidence remains. 1871–1900 An outstation from Ilfracombe. The boathouse is now a beach café / surf hire shop. 1869–1944 Destroyed in the Lynmouth flood of 1952 but rebuilt and is now the Flood Memorial Hall. 1875–1944 Now Watchet Community Library. 1971–1974 Boat moored afloat, with crew facilities provided at the Cruising Clubhouse in Pill.

Wales, West & Isle of Man Region Station Location Dates Comments Photo Continues training and building boats 1869–1871 Lifeboat stored on davits, on the Llanelli Pilot / Lightship. 1863–1887 Sand forced closure; lifeboat station moved to . No evidence remains. Ferryside 1835–1960 1835–1843 Exact location unknown 1869–1887 Station dedicated 1869. 1884–1894 Former boathouse is now a private residence. 1883–1901 Located at Trefor Pier. 1826–1907 Now a Boathouse / Store 1872–1924 Boathouse / Store 1830–1929 Two former lifeboat houses remain, 1877 (private dwelling), 1903 (holiday let). 1891–1904 The steps, and some rubble, are all that remains of the former lifeboat station. 1877–1919 Derelict, some foundations and slipway survive. 1872–1932 Derelict, some foundations and slipway survive. 1868–1926 Former boathouse is now a Community Hub. 1831–1915 Former boathouse is now a holiday let. 1869–1932 Former boathouse is now a private residence. 1826–1894 Former coxswains residence still exists at Presthaven Holiday Park. 1894–1923 No evidence remains 1835–1850 No evidence remains 1856–1922 Former boathouse is now a private residence. 1894–1919 Some foundations still visible in shifting sand. 1860–1925, 1988–2022 Building pictured built in 1886 and closed in 1925. Reopened by Southport Offshore Rescue Trust from 1988–2022. Currently used as storage by Sefton Council. 1851–1931 Lifeboat Museum 1881–1925 Former boathouse is now a funeral directors. 1875–1895 Site is now part of a car park. No evidence remains. 1865–1924 Demolished; now Whitehaven Marina Yard. No evidence remains. 1865–1949 RNLI Boathouse now in use by independent Maryport Rescue.

Scotland Region Station Location Dates Comments Photo Private residence 1869–1919 Ruin 1866–1932 Village Hall. 1871–1919 Boat House / store. 1859–1932 Seafood restaurant (Closed). 1860–1914 Demolished; now a car park. 1869–1930 Was located on the West Pier, near the lighthouse, demolished. 1869–1930 Currently a Holiday let. 1912–1930 Boathouse / store. 1870–1901 Boathouse still standing, part of a hotel. 2012–2025 Station closed 2025, due to lack of available volunteers. 1952–1972 1911 Lifeboat house dismantled in 1949, only the slipway remains. A building used as a station from the 1950s, now Cardinham House, remains. 1877–1930 Semi-derelict store. 1878–1932 Boathouse / store, and separate slipway still exist. 1886–1904 No evidence found. 1911–1968 Demolished? 1878–1911 Lifeboat House demolished to make way for the harbour extension in 1930s. 1859–1923 Marine engineers workshop 1924–1969 Private residence. 1921–1924 1860 boathouse demolished in 1877. 1877 boathouse is now private residence. 1878–1905 A memorial can be found on the 18th hole of Inverallochy Golf Course where the boathouse once stood. 1915–1921 Believed converted to public toilets. 1877–1965 Boathouse / Store. 1878–1969 Private residence on William Street. 1891–1928 Johnshaven Heritage Hub Museum 1867–1894 No evidence remains 1860–1938 St Andrews Sailing Club 1884–1923 Crail Golf Course Store 1900–1932 Derelict lifeboat house demolished in 1950s; harbour filled in. 1907–1943 Demolished 1911–2015 In operation but as an independent lifeboat station. St Abbs Lifeboat

Ireland Region