Jane's Midlife Journey

Poole has a long and colourful maritime history, which is in evidence as you walk along the Quay. There has been a lifeboat based at Poole for over 150 years, with the current and former lifeboat stations located at either ends of the Quay. On the eastern end, sits Poole Old Lifeboat Museum. The building, which was the Lifeboat Station between 1882 and 1974, is now a museum charting the history of Poole’s lifeboats and their crews.

How to get to Poole Old Lifeboat Museum

As mentioned above, the museum is at the eastern end of Poole Quay. It’s only small, so I wouldn’t recommend making a special trip just to visit. But if you happen to find yourself strolling along Poole Quay, it’s worth popping in.

Opening Times

In 2025, the museum is open daily from 31st March. Opening times are froom 10.30 am (1 pm on Sunday) until 4 pm.

As the museum is staffed by volunteers, opening hours are subject to the weather and volunteer availability. 

Price

It is free to enter, although donations are welcome.

RNLI History

A walk round the former Lifeboat Station will tell you all about the history of the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution – a charity which keeps British waterways safe) in general and in Poole specifically. You can also learn about the lifeboats stationed there over the years and the bravery of their crews.

You can even try on old and current lifeboat crew kits to compare them. I can’t resist a bit of interactive learning!

Thomas Kirk Wright

Most of the museum is taken up with retired lifeboat the Thomas Kirk Wright, which was operational from 1939 to 1962. In addition to its regular duties, the Thomas Kirk Wright was among the 850 ‘little ships’ which sailed to Dunkirk in 1940 to rescue Allied troops stranded on the beaches there. As the records on display show, the boat made a total of three rescue missions to France before finally being hit and having to be towed back to England.

The museum is quite small, so a visit won’t take more than an hour or so, but it is interesting to delve into Poole’s maritime history and maybe say a little thank you to those brave men and women who risk their lives to keep others safe at sea. And, of course, those brave men who risked theirs lives even more so to rescue others during World War II.

Shop

There is a well stocked RNLI and nautical themed gift shop.

Poole Old Lifeboat Museum for Children

There isn’t really anything here specifically for children.

• Updated: May 2025

I hope you found this information useful. For more inspiration on things to do in and around Bournemouth, check out my 101 Things to do in Bournemouth here.