Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) stations are the bases for the RNLI's fleet of search and rescue lifeboats that cover the coastal waters around the entire British Isles, as well as major inland waterways.
The service was established in 1824 as the Royal National Institute for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (RNIPLS), later to become the RNLI in 1854, and is operated largely by volunteers. Its headquarters are at Poole, Dorset and it is a registered charity in both the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.
This is a list of former RNIPLS stations (dates up to 1854) and RNLI stations (dates from 1854), primarily those where the RNLI has ceased operations from that particular location, village or town.
Some RNLI sites, where the station is still in operation, but not necessarily at the original location, will be included in the List of RNLI stations.
The information is correct with reference to the Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024 unless noted otherwise,[1] and is set out like the RNLI's divisional model. As far as possible it follows a clockwise route around the coast.
| Station | Location | Dates | Comments | Photo < | -- restrict images to 100px --> |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holy Island, Northumberland | Two boathouses. 1: Now Lindisfarne Lifeboat Museum [2] 2: Harbour Boathouse with slipway; demolished | ||||
| Snook Point, Holy Island, Northumberland | 1868–1934 | Just the stone piles remain. | |||
| Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland | 1882–1897 | The Boat House, currently a holiday let | |||
| Boulmer, Northumberland | 1825–1968 | Now home to Boulmer Volunteer Rescue Service[3] | |||
| Alnmouth, Northumberland | 1854–1935 | 2024, Alnmouth Community Rowing Club[4] | |||
| Hauxley, Northumberland | 1853–1939 | Private residence | |||
| Cresswell, Northumberland | 1875–1944 | Now Cresswell Village Hall | |||
| Whitburn, Tyne and Wear | 1818–1918 | Now the site of Whitburn Angling Club. No evidence remains. | |||
| Sunderland, Tyne and Wear | 1902–1912 | No evidence remains. | |||
| Seaham, County Durham | 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. | |||
| Crimdon Dene, County Durham | 1966–1993 | ILB Station. | |||
| Hartlepool, County Durham | 1847–1906 | ||||
| Seaton Carew, County Durham | 1857–1922 | ||||
| Seaton Carew, County Durham | 1907–1909 | No evidence remains | |||
| Middlesbrough, Borough of Middlesbrough | 1854–1895 | Boathouse demolished by 1913. No evidence remains | |||
| South Gare, North Yorkshire | 1829–1842 1911–2006 | Station demolished after 2006. Little or no evidence remains. | |||
| Saltburn, Redcar and Cleveland | 1849–1917 1919–1922 | Station building demolished before 1927. No evidence remains | |||
| Runswick Bay, North Yorkshire | 1866–1978 | Building used by Runswick Bay Rescue Boat since 1982[5] | |||
| Whitby, North Yorkshire | 1865–1919 | No evidence remains | |||
| Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire | 1881–1931 | Boathouse now a shelter / public toilets | |||
| Barmston, East Riding of Yorkshire | 1884–1898 | Boathouse demolished, but some foundations may remain | |||
| Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire | 1852–1924 | Private residence | |||
| Easington, East Riding of Yorkshire | 1913–1933 | No evidence remains | |||
| Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire | 1882–1927 | No evidence remains | |||
| Humberston, North East Lincolnshire | 1965–1980 | ILB Station. | |||
| Donna Nook, Lincolnshire | 1829–1931 | Located at the site of what became RAF Donna Nook. No evidence remains. | |||
| Theddlethorpe, Lincolnshire | 1828–1882 | Theddlethorpe closed in 1882 due to difficulties launching and lack of crew. No evidence remains. | |||
| Sutton, Lincolnshire | 1864–1913 | Meridale Centre | |||
| Chapel St Leonards, Lincolnshire | 1870–1898 | Building remains, currently a discount store. | |||
| Gibraltar Point, Lincolnshire | 1825–1830 | Transferred to Lincs. Coast Shipwreck Assoc. in 1827. No evidence remains. | |||
| Brancaster, Norfolk | 1874–1935 | No evidence remains on site. Service board hangs in St Mary's Church, Brancaster | |||
| Blakeney, Norfolk | 1862–1935 | National Trust - Blakeney National Nature Reserve[6] | |||
| Mundesley | Mundesley, Norfolk | 1867–1895 | Volunteer Lifeboat | ||
| Bacton, Norfolk | 1857–1882 | ||||
| Palling, Norfolk | 1852–1930 | No evidence of Old Lifeboat Station. Independent lifeboat operated since 1972 by Sea Palling Independent Rescue[7] | |||
| Winterton, Norfolk | 1823–1925 | Just the building foundations remain | |||
| Caister, Norfolk | 1845–1969 | Station now run by Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service[8] | |||
| Corton, Suffolk | 1869–1879 | No evidence remains | |||
| Oulton Broad, Suffolk | 2001–2011 | ILB Station. | |||
| Pakefield, Suffolk | 1865–1922 | Two previous boathouses; neither survive | |||
| Kessingland, Suffolk | 1867–1936 | Very modified private residence | |||
| Dunwich, Suffolk | 1873–1903 | Converted to a cafe | |||
| Thorpeness, Suffolk | 1855–1900 | No evidence remains | |||
| Orford, Suffolk | 1826–1835 | ||||
| Shingle Street, Suffolk | 1826–1853 | ||||
| Station | Location | Dates | Comments | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsgate, Kent | No evidence remains | |||
| Broadstairs, Kent | 1868–1912 | Harbour Office and Gift Shop | ||
| North Deal, Kent | 1865–1932 | Deal Angling Club | ||
| Kingsdown, Kent | 1866–1927 | Private residence | ||
| Folkestone, Kent | 1893–1930 | Lifeboat house demolished after 1936. No evidence remains. Site recently redeveloped. | ||
| Seabrook, Kent | 1876–1893 | Lifeboat house demolished in 1956. No evidence remains. | ||
| Hythe, Kent | 1893–1940 | Two boathouses still remain, one located behind the second. | ||
| Dymchurch, Kent | 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. | ||
| New Romney, Kent | 1871–1928 | Boathouse demolished to extend Marine Parade into Coast Road. | ||
| Camber Sands, East Sussex | 1832–1854 1854–1901 | Two boat houses; maybe the earliest survives | ||
| , | Winchelsea, East Sussex | 1856–1928 | Renamed Rye Harbour in 1910. | |
| [9] | Worthing, West Sussex | 1865–1930 1964–1967 | Private residence: 107 Marine Parade | |
| West Wittering, West Sussex | 1867–1884 | No evidence remains | ||
| Southsea, Portsmouth | 1894–1923 | Formerly on the promenade at Southsea Common; no evidence remains | ||
| Ryde, Isle of Wight | 1894–1923 | Boathouse located on the Pier; no evidence remains. | ||
| Atherfield, Isle of Wight | 1890–1915 | No evidence of boathouse remains, but the 1:3 steep slipway down the cliff may still be visible[10] | ||
| Brighstone Grange, Isle of Wight | 1860–1915 | Now a site for static caravans; little evidence remains | ||
| Brook, Isle of Wight | 1860–1937 | Derelict ruin | ||
| Totland Bay | Totland Bay, Isle of Wight | 1885–1924 | Community Hall? | |
| Station | Location | Dates | Comments | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bournemouth, Dorset | 1965–1972 | ILB Station. | ||
| Studland, Dorset | 1826–1848 | No evidence remains | ||
| Chapman's Pool, Dorset | 1866–1880 | |||
| Kimmeridge, Dorset | 1868–1896 | No evidence remains | ||
| Isle of Portland, Dorset | 1826–1851 | |||
| Saint Sampson, Guernsey, Guernsey | 1861–1878 1880–1881 | |||
| Guernsey | 1878–1880 | |||
| Sidmouth, Dorset | A doorway arch marked RNLBI is all that remains of the old station, located across the road from the new independent Sidmouth lifeboat station, opened in 1968.[11] | |||
| Beacon Cove, Torquay, Devon | 1876–1928 | No evidence remains. | ||
| Hope Cove, Devon | 1878–1930 | Now used as a store. | ||
| Newton Ferrers, Devon | 1878–1927 | Private residence. | ||
| Polkerris, Cornwall | 1859–1922 | Moved to Fowey where it was easier to find a crew. The boathouse is now a café.[12] | ||
| Mevagissey, Cornwall | 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. | ||
| Portloe, Cornwall | 1870–1887 | A boathouse built in 1877 is now a private residence. | ||
| Porthoustock, Cornwall | 1869–1942 | Now used as a village hall. | ||
| Coverack, Cornwall | 1901–1980 | The 1901 boathouse is now a Fish & Chip restaurant/ take-away. | ||
| Mullion Cove, Cornwall | 1867–1908 | Private residence. | ||
| Porthleven, Cornwall | 1863–1929 | Building later used as a shipwreck museum. Now an art studio. | ||
| St Michael's Mount, Cornwall | 1990–2001 | ILB Station. | ||
| Penzance, Cornwall | 1803–1917 | Station closed between 1812–1826 and again 1828-1851. A boathouse built in 1884 still stands. | ||
| St Agnes, IOS | St Agnes, Isles of Scilly | 1890–1920 | Boathouse now used as a store. | |
| Hayle, Cornwall | 1866–1920 | After closure, boat house moved, used as a store, then demolished about 1980. Now a builders yard, no evidence remains. | ||
| Morte Bay, Woolacombe, Devon | 1871–1900 | An outstation from Ilfracombe. The boathouse is now a beach / surf hire shop. | ||
| Lynmouth, Devon | 1869–1944 | Destroyed in the Lynmouth flood of 1952 but rebuilt and is now the Flood Memorial Hall. | ||
| Watchet, Somerset | 1875–1944 | Now Watchet Community Library.[13] | ||
| Pill, Somerset | 1971–1974 | |||
| Station | Location | Dates | Comments | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic College, Vale of Glamorgan | 1963–2013 | Continues training and building boats | ||
| Llanelli, Carmarthenshire | 1854–1863 | In 1863, station transferred to | ||
| Pembrey, Carmarthenshire | 1863–1887 | Sand forced closure; lifeboat station moved to .[14] No evidence remains. | ||
| , Ferryside | Ferryside, Carmarthenshire | 1860–1960 | Renamed Ferryside in 1892 Independent lifeboat service since 1966[15] | |
| Laugharne, Carmarthenshire | 1835–1843 | |||
| Solva, Pembrokeshire | 1869–1887 | Station dedicated 1869[16] | ||
| Newport, Pembrokeshire | 1884–1895 | Private residence [17] | ||
| Llanaelhaearn, Gwynedd | 1883–1901 | Located at Trefor Pier | ||
| Ynys Llanddwyn, Anglesey | 1826–1907 | Boathouse / Store | ||
| Rhosneigr, Anglesey | 1872–1924 | Boathouse / Store | ||
| Rhoscolyn, Anglesey | 1830–1929 | Two former lifeboat houses remain, 1877 (private dwelling), 1903 (holiday let) | ||
| Holy Island, Anglesey | 1891–1904 | The steps, and some rubble, are all that remains of the former lifeboat station.[18] | ||
| Cemlyn, Anglesey | 1828–1872 1877–1919 | Derelict, some foundations and slipway survive | ||
| Porth yr Ogof, Cemaes, Anglesey | 1872–1932 | Derelict, some foundations and slipway survive[19] | ||
| Bull Bay, Anglesey | 1868–1926 | Yacht & Boat Club | ||
| Penmon, Anglesey | 1831–1915 | Former boathouse is now a holiday let | ||
| Llanddulas, Conwy | 1869–1932 | Former boathouse is now a private residence | ||
| Mostyn, Flintshire | 1835–1850 | No evidence remains | ||
| Castletown, Isle of Man | 1826–1842 1856–1922 | Former boathouse is now a private residence | ||
| Formby, Metropolitan Borough of Sefton | 1894–1919 | Some foundations still visible in shifting sand. | ||
| Southport, Metropolitan Borough of Sefton | 1860–1925 | Later used by Southport Independent Lifeboat. Currently unused. | ||
| Lytham, Lancashire | 1851–1931 | Lifeboat Museum | ||
| St Annes, Lancashire | 1881–1925 | Former boathouse is now a funeral directors | ||
| Seascale, Cumbria | 1875–1895 | Site is now part of a car park. No evidence remains. | ||
| Whitehaven, Cumbria | 1865–1924 | Demolished; now Whitehaven Marina Yard. No evidence remains. | ||
| Maryport, Cumbria | 1865–1949 | East Wall of old lifeboat house still standing | ||
| Station | Location | Dates | Comments | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auchencairn, Dumfries and Galloway | Private residence | |||
| Isle of Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway | 1869–1919 | Ruin; now the location for the Witness Cairn[20] | ||
| Port Logan, Dumfries and Galloway | 1866–1932 | Village Hall | ||
| Ballantrae, South Ayrshire | 1871–1919 | Boat House / store | ||
| Ayr, South Ayrshire | 1859–1932 | Seafood restaurant (Closed) | ||
| Irvine, North Ayrshire | 1860–1914 | Demolished; now a car park | ||
| Ardrossan, North Ayrshire | 1869–1930 | Demolished | ||
| Southend, Argyll, Argyll | 1869–1930 | Holiday let | ||
| Machrihanish, Argyll | 1912–1930 | Boathouse / store | ||
| Kildonan, Arran | 1870–1901 | Still there, use undetermined | ||
| Stronsay, Orkney | 1909–1920 1952–1972 | Two station buildings, believe both still exist | ||
| Huna, Caithness | 1877–1930 | Store | ||
| Ackergill, Caithness | 1878–1932 | Boathouse / store, and separate slipway still exist. | ||
| Embo, Sutherland, Highland | 1886–1904 | No evidence found | ||
| Cromarty, Highland | 1911–1968 | Demolished? | ||
| Nairn, Highland | 1878–1911 | New housing development; no evidence of lifeboat house | ||
| Lossiemouth, Moray | 1859–1923 | Marine engineers workshop | ||
| 1924–1969 | Private residence | |||
| 1860–1917 1921–1924 | 1860 boathouse demolished in 1877. 1877 boathouse is now private residence | |||
| 1878–1905 | Demolished; now Inverallochy Golf Course | |||
| Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire | 1877–1914 1915–1921 | Private residence | ||
| Newburgh, Aberdeenshire | 1828–1841 1877–1965 | Boathouse / Store | ||
| Gourdon, Aberdeenshire | 1878–1969 | 1.Private residence on William Street 2.Maggie Law Maritime Museum | ||
| Johnshaven, Aberdeenshire | 1891–1928 | Johnshaven Heritage Hub Museum | ||
| Carnoustie, Angus | 1861–1863 1867–1894 | Demolished | ||
| [21] | St Andrews, Fife | 1860–1938 | St Andrews Sailing Club | |
| Crail, Fife | 1884–1923 | Crail Golf Course Store | ||
| Buckhaven, Fife | 1900–1932 | Derelict lifeboat house demolished in 1960s; harbour filled in. | ||
| Skateraw. East Lothian | 1907–1943 | Demolished | ||
| St Abbs, Scottish Borders | 1911–2015 | Boathouse in use with St Abbs Independent Lifeboat[22] | ||
| Station | Location | Dates | Comments | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrickfergus, County Antrim | 1896–1913 | Boathouse was constructed alongside the pier. Only the pilings now remain. | ||
| Groomsport, County Down | 1858–1920 | Community hall | ||
| Ballywalter, County Down | 1866–1906 | Boat House / Store in 2012. | ||
| Portavogie, County Down | 1965–1981 | |||
| [23] | Cloughey, County Down | Private residence | ||
| St. John's Point, County Down | 1835–1843 | Private residence | ||
| , | Rossglass, Killough, County Down | 1825–1835 1901–1914 | Private residence | |
| Tyrella, County Down | 1838–1851 1860–1899 | Building still there. | ||
| Greenore, County Louth | 1894–1920 | Vacant building | ||
| Gyles' Quay, County Louth | 1879–1912 | Private residence | ||
| Blackrock, County Louth | 1859–1879 1880–1935 | Building still there | ||
| Baltray, County Louth | 1856–1899 | Drogheda No.1 Station | ||
| Mornington, County Meath | 1872–1926 | Drogheda No.2 Station Derelict for many years, converted to a private residence in 2007.[24] | ||
| Balbriggan, County Dublin | 1875–1898 | Lifeboat house constructed underneath railway arch. The building is now used for storage. | ||
| Rogerstown Estuary, Dublin | 1874–1882 | |||
| Poolbeg, Dublin | 1862–1959 | Was at the small harbour west of Poolbeg disused power station. No evidence remains. | ||
| Greystones, County Wicklow | 1872–1895 | Barista and Ice Cream Bar | ||
| Ballygarrett, County Wexford | 1857–1916 | Disused? store, located next to Cahore Independent Lifeboat house | ||
| Carnsore Point, County Wexford | 1859–1897 | |||
| Duncannon, County Wexford | 1869–1896 | Boathouse / store at Duncannon pier | ||
| 1858–1895 | Private residence | |||
| Cobh, | 1866–1920 | Cobh Sea Scout HQ | ||
| Derrynane, County Kerry | 1844–1855 | Boathouse believed to be white building next to Derrynane Beach Car Park | ||
| Inishlyre, County Mayo | 1857–1862 | Boathouse / Store | ||
| Killybegs, County Donegal | 1941–1945 | |||
| Culdaff, County Donegal | 1892–1913 | Boathouse / store | ||
| Port Blaney, Greencastle, County Donegal | 1864–1928 | Private residence | ||