# List of former RNLI stations

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.

## Regions

The information is correct with reference to the Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2025 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 |
| Holy Island | Holy Island, Northumberland | 1865–1968 | Two boathouses. 1: Now Lindisfarne Lifeboat Museum 2: Harbour Boathouse with slipway; demolished |
| Holy Island No.2 | Snook Point, Holy Island, Northumberland | 1868–1934 | Just the stone piles remain. |
| Bamburgh Castle | Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland | 1882–1897 | The Boat House, currently a holiday let |
| Boulmer | Boulmer, Northumberland | 1825–1968 | Now home to Boulmer Volunteer Rescue Service |
| Alnmouth | Alnmouth, Northumberland | 1854–1935 | 2024, Alnmouth Community Rowing Club |
| Hauxley | Hauxley, Northumberland | 1853–1939 | Private residence |
| Cresswell | Cresswell, Northumberland | 1875–1944 | Now Cresswell Village Hall |
| Whitburn | Whitburn, Tyne and Wear | 1818–1918 | Now the site of Whitburn Angling Club. No evidence remains. |
| Hendon Beach | Sunderland, Tyne and Wear | 1902–1912 | No evidence remains. |
| Seaham | 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 | Crimdon Dene, County Durham | 1966–1993 | ILB Station. |
| West Hartlepool | Hartlepool, County Durham | 1847–1906 | |
| Seaton Carew | Seaton Carew, County Durham | 1824–1922 | No evidence remains |
| Seaton Snook | Seaton Carew, County Durham | 1907–1909 | No evidence remains |
| Middlesbrough | Middlesbrough, Borough of Middlesbrough | 1854–1895 | Boathouse demolished by 1913. No evidence remains |
| Teesmouth | South Gare, North Yorkshire | 1829–1842 1911–2006 | Station demolished after 2006. Little or no evidence remains. |
| Saltburn | Saltburn, Redcar and Cleveland | 1849–1917 1919–1922 | Station building demolished before 1927. No evidence remains |
| Runswick | Runswick Bay, North Yorkshire | 1866–1978 | Tractor store used by Runswick Bay Rescue Boat since 1982 |
| Upgang | Whitby, North Yorkshire | 1865–1919 | No evidence remains |
| Robin Hood's Bay | Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire | 1881–1931 | Boathouse now a shelter / public toilets |
| Barmston | Barmston, East Riding of Yorkshire | 1884–1898 | Boathouse demolished, but some foundations may remain |
| Hornsea | Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire | 1852–1924 | Private residence |
| Easington | Easington, East Riding of Yorkshire | 1913–1933 | No evidence remains |
| Grimsby | Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire | 1882–1927 | No evidence remains |
| Humber Mouth | Humberston, North East Lincolnshire | 1965–1980 | ILB Station. |
| Donna Nook | Donna Nook, Lincolnshire | 1829–1931 | Located at the site of what became RAF Donna Nook. No evidence remains. |
| Theddlethorpe | Theddlethorpe, Lincolnshire | 1828–1882 | Theddlethorpe closed in 1882 due to difficulties launching and lack of crew. No evidence remains. |
| Sutton | Sutton, Lincolnshire | 1864–1913 | Meridale Centre |
| Chapel | Chapel St Leonards, Lincolnshire | 1870–1898 | Building remains, currently a discount store. |
| Gibraltar Point | Gibraltar Point, Lincolnshire | 1825–1830 | Transferred to Lincs. Coast Shipwreck Assoc. in 1827. No evidence remains. |
| Brancaster | Brancaster, Norfolk | 1874–1935 | No evidence remains on site. Service board hangs in St Mary's Church, Brancaster |
| Blakeney | Blakeney, Norfolk | 1862–1935 | National Trust - Blakeney National Nature Reserve |
| Mundesley | Mundesley, Norfolk | 1867–1895 | Mundesley Volunteer Lifeboat |
| Bacton | Bacton, Norfolk | 1857–1882 | |
| Palling | Palling, Norfolk | 1852–1930 | No evidence of Old Lifeboat Station. Independent lifeboat operated since 1972 by Sea Palling Independent Rescue |
| Winterton | Winterton, Norfolk | 1823–1925 | Just the building foundations remain |
| Caister | Caister, Norfolk | 1845–1969 | Station now run by Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service |
| Corton | Corton, Suffolk | 1869–1879 | No evidence remains |
| South Broads | Oulton Broad, Suffolk | 2001–2011 | ILB Station. |
| Pakefield | Pakefield, Suffolk | 1865–1922 | Two previous boathouses; neither survive |
| Kessingland | Kessingland, Suffolk | 1867–1936 | Very modified private residence |
| Dunwich | Dunwich, Suffolk | 1873–1903 | Converted to a cafe |
| Thorpeness | Thorpeness, Suffolk | 1853–1900 | No evidence remains |
| Orford | Orford, Suffolk | 1826–1835 | |
| Woodbridge Haven | Shingle Street, Suffolk | 1826–1853 | |

### South East Region

| Station | Location | Dates | Comments |
| Kingsgate | Kingsgate, Kent | 1862–1897 | No evidence remains |
| Broadstairs | Broadstairs, Kent | 1868–1912 | Harbour Office and Gift Shop |
| North Deal | North Deal, Kent | 1865–1932 | Deal Angling Club |
| Kingsdown | Kingsdown, Kent | 1866–1927 | Private residence |
| Folkestone | Folkestone, Kent | 1893–1930 | Lifeboat house demolished after 1936. No evidence remains. Site recently redeveloped. |
| Hythe, Sandgate & Folkestone | Seabrook, Kent | 1876–1893 | Lifeboat house demolished in 1956. No evidence remains. |
| Hythe | Hythe, Kent | 1893–1940 | Two boathouses still remain, one located behind the second. |
| Dymchurch | 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. Pic - Martello Tower No.25 |
| New Romney | New Romney, Kent | 1871–1928 | Boathouse demolished to extend Marine Parade into Coast Road. |
| Rye | Camber Sands, East Sussex | 1832–1854 1854–1901 | Two boat houses; maybe the earliest survives |
| Winchelsea | Winchelsea, East Sussex | 1856–1928 | Renamed Rye Harbour in 1910. |
| Worthing | Worthing, West Sussex | 1865–1930 1964–1967 | Private residence: 107 Marine Parade |
| Chichester Harbour | West Wittering, West Sussex | 1867–1884 | No evidence remains |
| Southsea | Southsea, Portsmouth | 1886–1918 | Formerly on the promenade at Southsea Common; no evidence remains |
| Ryde | Ryde, Isle of Wight | 1894–1923 | Boathouse located on the Pier; no evidence remains. |
| Atherfield | Atherfield, Isle of Wight | 1890–1915 | No evidence of boathouse remains, but the 1:3 steep slipway down the cliff may still be visible |
| Brighstone Grange | Brighstone Grange, Isle of Wight | 1860–1915 | Now a site for static caravans; little evidence remains |
| Brook | Brook, Isle of Wight | 1860–1937 | Derelict ruin |
| Totland Bay | Totland Bay, Isle of Wight | 1885–1924 | Community Hall? |

### South West Region

| Station | Location | Dates | Comments |
| Bournemouth | Bournemouth, Dorset | 1965–1972 | ILB Station. |
| Studland | Studland, Dorset | 1826–1848 | No evidence remains |
| Chapman's Pool | Chapman's Pool, Dorset | 1866–1880 | |
| Kimmeridge | Kimmeridge, Dorset | 1868–1896 | No evidence remains |
| Portland | Isle of Portland, Dorset | 1826–1851 | |
| St Sampson | St Sampson, Guernsey | 1803–1878 (1880–1881) | Former boathouse still exists, at North Side Street/ Trafalgar Road junction |
| La Lande | Guernsey | 1878–1880 | Little if anything remains of the boathouse, which was located just to the north of what is now Beaucette Marina. |
| Sidmouth | Sidmouth, Devon | 1869–1912 | A doorway arch marked RNLBI is all that remains of the old station. It is located across the road from the new Independent Sidmouth Lifeboat, established in 1968. |
| Torquay | Beacon Cove, Torquay, Devon | 1876–1928 | No evidence remains. |
| Hope Cove | Hope Cove, Devon | 1878–1930 | Under refurbishment |
| Yealm River | Newton Ferrers, Devon | 1878–1927 | Private residence. |
| Polkerris | Polkerris, Cornwall | 1859–1922 | Moved to Fowey where it was easier to find a crew. The boathouse is now a café. |
| Mevagissey | 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 | Portloe, Cornwall | 1870–1887 | A boathouse built in 1870 is now a church. A second boathouse built in 1877 is now a private residence. |
| Porthoustock | Porthoustock, Cornwall | 1869–1942 | Now used as a village hall. |
| Coverack | Coverack, Cornwall | 1901–1980 | The 1901 boathouse is now a Fish & Chip restaurant/ take-away. |
| Mullion | Mullion Cove, Cornwall | 1867–1908 | Private residence. |
| Porthleven | Porthleven, Cornwall | 1863–1929 | Building later used as a shipwreck museum. Now an art studio. |
| Marazion | St Michael's Mount, Cornwall | 1990–2001 | ILB Station. |
| Penzance | 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 | 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 | Morte Bay, Woolacombe, Devon | 1871–1900 | An outstation from Ilfracombe. The boathouse is now a beach / surf hire shop. |
| Lynmouth | Lynmouth, Devon | 1869–1944 | Destroyed in the Lynmouth flood of 1952 but rebuilt and is now the Flood Memorial Hall. |
| Watchet | Watchet, Somerset | 1875–1944 | Now Watchet Community Library. |
| Pill | Pill, Somerset | 1971–1974 | |

### Wales, West & Isle of Man Region

| Station | Location | Dates | Comments |
| Atlantic College | Atlantic College, Vale of Glamorgan | 1963–2013 | Continues training and building boats |
| Llanelli | Llanelli, Carmarthenshire | 1854–1863 1869–1871 | In 1863, station transferred to Pembrey |
| Pembrey | Pembrey, Carmarthenshire | 1863–1887 | Sand forced closure; lifeboat station moved to Burry Port. No evidence remains. |
| Ferryside | Ferryside, Carmarthenshire | 1860–1960 | Formerly Carmarthen Bay Lifeboat Station until 1892 Independent lifeboat service since 1966 Ferryside |
| Carmarthen | Laugharne, Carmarthenshire | 1835–1843 | |
| Solva | Solva, Pembrokeshire | 1869–1887 | Station dedicated 1869 |
| Newport | Newport, Pembrokeshire | 1884–1894 | Former boathouse is now a private residence. |
| Llanaelhaearn | Llanaelhaearn, Gwynedd | 1883–1901 | Located at Trefor Pier |
| Llanddwyn | Ynys Llanddwyn, Anglesey | 1826–1907 | Boathouse / Store |
| Rhosneigr | Rhosneigr, Anglesey | 1872–1924 | Boathouse / Store |
| Rhoscolyn | Rhoscolyn, Anglesey | 1830–1929 | Two former lifeboat houses remain, 1877 (private dwelling), 1903 (holiday let) |
| Porth Ruffydd | Holy Island, Anglesey | 1891–1904 | The steps, and some rubble, are all that remains of the former lifeboat station. |
| Cemlyn | Cemlyn, Anglesey | 1828–1872 1877–1919 | Derelict, some foundations and slipway survive |
| Cemaes | Porth yr Ogof, Cemaes, Anglesey | 1872–1932 | Derelict, some foundations and slipway survive |
| Bull Bay | Bull Bay, Anglesey | 1868–1926 | Yacht & Boat Club |
| Penmon | Penmon, Anglesey | 1831–1915 | Former boathouse is now a holiday let |
| Llanddulas | Llanddulas, Conwy | 1869–1932 | Former boathouse is now a private residence |
| Mostyn | Mostyn, Flintshire | 1835–1850 | No evidence remains |
| Castletown | Castletown, Isle of Man | 1826–1842 1856–1922 | Former boathouse is now a private residence |
| Formby | Formby, Metropolitan Borough of Sefton | 1894–1919 | Some foundations still visible in shifting sand. |
| Southport | Southport, Metropolitan Borough of Sefton | 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. |
| Lytham | Lytham, Lancashire | 1851–1931 | Lifeboat Museum |
| St Annes | St Annes, Lancashire | 1881–1925 | Former boathouse is now a funeral directors |
| Seascale | Seascale, Cumbria | 1875–1895 | Site is now part of a car park. No evidence remains. |
| Whitehaven | Whitehaven, Cumbria | 1865–1924 | Demolished; now Whitehaven Marina Yard. No evidence remains. |
| Maryport | Maryport, Cumbria | 1865–1949 | East Wall of old lifeboat house still standing |

### Scotland Region

| Station | Location | Dates | Comments |
| Balcary | Auchencairn, Dumfries and Galloway | 1884–1931 | Private residence |
| Isle of Whithorn | Isle of Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway | 1869–1919 | Ruin |
| Port Logan | Port Logan, Dumfries and Galloway | 1866–1932 | Village Hall |
| Ballantrae | Ballantrae, South Ayrshire | 1871–1919 | Boat House / store |
| Ayr | Ayr, South Ayrshire | 1859–1932 | Seafood restaurant (Closed) |
| Irvine | Irvine, North Ayrshire | 1860–1914 | Demolished; now a car park |
| Ardrossan | Ardrossan, North Ayrshire | 1869–1930 | Was located on the West Pier, near the lighthouse, demolished. |
| Southend (Cantyre) | Southend, Argyll and Bute | 1869–1930 | Currently a Holiday let |
| Machrihanish | Machrihanish, Argyll and Bute | 1912–1930 | Boathouse / store |
| Kildonan | Kildonan, Arran | 1870–1901 | Boathouse still standing, use undetermined |
| Stronsay | Whitehall, Stronsay, Orkney | 1909–1915 1952–1972 | 1911 Lifeboat Station dismantled in 1949, only the slipway remains. A building used as a station from the 1950s, now Cardinham House, remains. |
| Huna | Huna, Caithness | 1877–1930 | Store |
| Ackergill | Ackergill, Caithness | 1878–1932 | Boathouse / store, and separate slipway still exist. |
| Dornoch Firth and Embo | Embo, Sutherland, Highland | 1886–1904 | No evidence found |
| Cromarty | Cromarty, Highland | 1911–1968 | Demolished? |
| Nairn | Nairn, Highland | 1878–1911 | Lifeboat House demolished to make way for the harbour extension in 1930s |
| Lossiemouth | Lossiemouth, Moray | 1859–1923 | Marine engineers workshop |
| Whitehills | Whitehills, Aberdeenshire | 1924–1969 | Private residence |
| Banff and Macduff | Banff, Aberdeenshire | 1860–1917 1921–1924 | 1860 boathouse demolished in 1877. 1877 boathouse is now private residence |
| Whitelink Bay | St Combs, Aberdeenshire | 1878–1905 | Demolished; now Inverallochy Golf Course |
| Port Erroll | Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire | 1877–1914 1915–1921 | Believed converted to public toilets |
| Newburgh | Newburgh, Aberdeenshire | 1828–1841 1877–1965 | Boathouse / Store |
| Gourdon | Gourdon, Aberdeenshire | 1878–1969 | Private residence on William Street |
| Johnshaven | Johnshaven, Aberdeenshire | 1891–1928 | Johnshaven Heritage Hub Museum |
| Budden Ness | Monifieth, Angus | 1830–1863 1867–1894 | No evidence remains |
| St Andrews | St Andrews, Fife | 1860–1938 | St Andrews Sailing Club |
| Crail | Crail, Fife | 1884–1923 | Crail Golf Course Store |
| Buckhaven | Buckhaven, Fife | 1900–1932 | Derelict lifeboat house demolished in 1950s; harbour filled in. |
| Skateraw | Skateraw, East Lothian | 1907–1943 | Demolished |
| St Abbs | St Abbs, Scottish Borders | 1911–2015 | In operation but as an independent lifeboat station. St Abbs Lifeboat |

### Ireland Region

| Station | Location | Dates | Comments |
| Carrickfergus | Carrickfergus, County Antrim | 1896–1913 | Boathouse was constructed alongside the pier. Only the pilings now remain. |
| Groomsport | Groomsport, County Down | 1858–1920 | Community hall |
| Ballywalter | Ballywalter, County Down | 1866–1906 | Boat House / Store in 2012. |
| Cloughey-Portavogie | Portavogie, County Down | 1965–1981 | |
| Cloughey | Cloughey, County Down | 1888–1965 | Private residence |
| St John's Point | St. John's Point, County Down | 1835–1843 | Private residence |
| Rossglass, Killough | Rossglass, Killough, County Down | 1825–1835 1901–1914 | Private residence |
| Tyrella | Tyrella, County Down | 1838–1851 1860–1899 | Building still there. |
| Greenore | Greenore, County Louth | 1894–1920 | Vacant building |
| Giles Quay | Gyles' Quay, County Louth | 1879–1912 | Private residence |
| Blackrock | Blackrock, County Louth | 1859–1879 1880–1935 | Building still there |
| Drogheda (Baltray) | Baltray, County Louth | 1856–1899 | Drogheda No.1 Station |
| Drogheda (Mornington) | Mornington, County Meath | 1872–1926 | Drogheda No.2 Station Derelict for many years, converted to a private residence in 2007. |
| Balbriggan | Balbriggan, County Dublin | 1875–1898 | Lifeboat house constructed underneath railway arch. The building is now used for storage. |
| Rogerstown | Rogerstown Estuary, Dublin | 1874–1882 | |
| Poolbeg | Poolbeg, Dublin | 1862–1959 | Was at the small harbour west of Poolbeg disused power station. No evidence remains. |
| Greystones | Greystones, County Wicklow | 1872–1895 | Barista and Ice Cream Bar |
| Cahore | Ballygarrett, County Wexford | 1857–1916 | Disused? store, located next to Cahore Independent Lifeboat house |
| Carnsore | Carnsore Point, County Wexford | 1859–1897 | |
| Duncannon | Duncannon, County Wexford | 1869–1886 | Boathouse / store at Duncannon pier |
| Ardmore | Ardmore, County Waterford | 1858–1895 | Private residence |
| Queenstown | Cobh, County Waterford | 1866–1920 | Cobh Sea Scout HQ |
| Derrynane | Derrynane, County Kerry | 1844–1855 | Boathouse believed to be white building next to Derrynane Beach Car Park |
| Westport | Inishlyre, County Mayo | 1857–1862 | Boathouse / Store |
| Killybegs | Killybegs, County Donegal | 1941–1945 | |
| Culdaff | Culdaff, County Donegal | 1892–1913 | Boathouse / store |
| Greencastle | Port Blaney, Greencastle, County Donegal | 1864–1928 | Private residence |