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What's On

See Santa arrive by Lifeboat

Join us on Sunday 3 December 11am – 4pm for the annual RNLI Christmas Market. Entertainment includes Santa arriving by lifeboat, and Santa’s Grotto, live music, face painting, water safety workshop, tombola and over 40 stalls. Free entry and free parking on site.

Discovery Tours

Due to essential maintenance works in our sea survival centre we are unable to host tours of the College from 22nd October 2023 until March 2024, our tours of the All Weather Lifeboat Centre are however unaffected. Our restaurant and sea terrace remain open to our supporters and members of the public. Anyone who has a tour booked during this time will be contacted to rearrange the tour for another date.

See how our volunteer lifesaving volunteer crew and lifeguards are trained with a 90 minute behind the scenes tour of RNLI College.

Each tour is conducted by one of our dedicated volunteer tour guides, providing a passionate and insightful look at the work we do. Tours are available 7 days a week for up to 8 people per tour.

  • Monday – Thursday 10.30am and 2pm
  • Friday – 10.30 am and 3:30pm
  • Saturday – 10.30am and 2pm
  • Sunday – 10.30am and 2pm

Spaces go quickly, make sure you book your space. Call 0300 300 7654 or email [email protected].

Please note the tour is a 90 minute walking tour. Wheelchair users are welcome however to allow us to provide the sufficient number of guides to support the tour please make us aware when making the booking. As an active training college, the College Discovery Tour may be changed at short notice due to Crew training requirements that are not suitable for public viewing. All tours are subject to the availability of our volunteer tour guides.

All Weather Lifeboat Centre Tours 

Mondays at 11am and Wednesdays at 2:30pm 

Learn how our lifeboats are made with a tour of our boatbuilding factory, the All-weather Lifeboat Centre, here in Poole.

  • Tours cost £7.50 per person and last 90 minutes. 
  • With availability limited to a maximum of 12 (split into 2 groups of 6).
  • Min age 10yrs old.

As this is a factory environment suitable footwear is required and hi vis vests will be provided. Anyone wearing open toed shoes or high heels will not be able to participate. Please make the team know of any limitations/requirements at the time of booking. All tours are subject to the availability of our volunteer tour guides.

Booking is essential please call 0300 300 7654 or email [email protected] for group tour enquiries email [email protected]

Remember every £1 spent at the RNLI helps save lives at sea.

Group Tours

Group tours are now available for up to 30 people (numbers dependant on volunteer tour guide availability). Lunch in a private room can also be arranged for all tour groups. For group enquiries please contact [email protected].