What’s on at the RNLI College
Planning a visit to Poole and looking for something to do? Look no further than the RNLI College. While it’s the home of crew training for RNLI lifesavers, there are plenty of activities for you to enjoy – and every £1 you spend at the college will help save lives at sea. Here you’ll find all the details about tours of the college and All-weather Lifeboat Centre, as well as exciting upcoming events.
RNLI College Tours
See how volunteer crew members and lifeguards are trained with a 90-minute RNLI College Discovery Tour. Experience what it’s like to be onboard a lifeboat in an exciting simulator, get a behind-the-scenes look at our training facilities, and learn about what’s involved in becoming an RNLI lifesaver.
Each tour is led by one of our friendly volunteer tour guides. Tours cost £7.50 per person and are available 7 days a week at the following times:
- Monday to Thursday at 10.30am and 2pm
- Friday at 10.30am and 3.30pm
- Saturday at 10.30am and 2pm
- Sunday at 10.30am and 2pm.
Up to 10 people can attend per tour. Call 0300 300 7654 or email [email protected] to book your space.
Please note this is a 90-minute walking tour. Wheelchair users are welcome, however please make us aware when booking to ensure availability of enough tour guides. All tours are subject to the availability of volunteer tour guides and crew training requirements at the college.
All-weather Lifeboat Centre tours
Discover how the RNLI builds and maintains its fleet of all-weather lifeboats with a tour of the All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset, led by our knowledgeable volunteer tour guides. Marvel at magnificent lifeboats at each stage of production and learn about different classes of all-weather lifeboat – from the state-of-the-art Shannon to the pioneering Tamar.
Tours of our lifeboat factory take place on Mondays at 11am and Wednesdays at 2.30pm, lasting 90 minutes with a cost of £7.50 per person.
Up to 12 people can book per tour, which is split into two groups of six. You must be at least 10 years old to take part in this tour.
As this is a factory environment, suitable footwear is required and hi-vis vests will be provided.
Booking is essential – please call 0300 300 7654 or email [email protected].
Group tours
Looking to organise a tour for a large group? Group tours are available for up to 30 people (numbers dependent on volunteer tour guide availability).
One of our group tours makes for a great day out in Poole. Together, you'll learn more about the lifesaving work of the RNLI and see our fantastic training facilities up close. And you'll get to visit the All-weather Lifeboat Centre, where our all-weather lifeboats are built and maintained.
For group tour enquiries and tour catering, please contact [email protected].
Upcoming events
Keep an eye out for upcoming events here.
RNLI Christmas Market
Sunday 8th December 2024 10am – 4pm
Get into the Christmas festive spirit at the RNLI Christmas Market. See Father Christmas arrive by lifeboat plus over 40 stalls featuring local produce and crafts, kids workshops, festive food and live music.
Admission and parking FREE.
RNLI College
West Quay Road
Poole
BH15 1HZ
