Selsey Lifeboat Station

About the museum

Lifeboat volunteers have saved lives off Selsey since 1861, when a lifeboat house was built for the station. Coastal erosion repeatedly forced changes: in 1874 it was decided to keep the lifeboat afloat, a new boathouse and slipway followed in 1920, and a replacement station opened in 1960 after further erosion. Two lifeboats were stationed here in the mid-1890s, and a smaller inshore lifeboat joined in 1968.

The crews have earned ten awards for gallantry, including silver medals for Coxswain James Lawrence in 1886 and Coxswain Michael Grant in 1979. In 1908 the lifeboat brought ashore 57 passengers from the steamer Queen in very bad weather.

Today's station is a purpose-built building that houses a Shannon-class all-weather lifeboat. It is a working lifeboat station with crew on call at all times, and visitors are welcomed by volunteers from the station's visits team. Upstairs, an Experience Room tells the story of the Selsey crews and the wider work of the RNLI, with videos, water-safety messages and a chance for children to dress up as a crew member.

Highlights

• Shannon-class all-weather lifeboat to see at close quarters
• Experience Room on the first floor, reached by lift
• Videos about the lifeboats and water-safety messages for children
• Dressing up as a crew member
• RNLI shop at the station

Permanent exhibition

• Experience Room – First-floor visitor room about the Selsey crews since 1861 and the work of the RNLI, with videos, water-safety messages and a view of the Shannon-class lifeboat.

Operated by

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Visiting the lifeboat station is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A lift serves the first-floor Experience Room.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

Children can watch videos of the lifeboats in action, learn about water safety and dress up as a crew member.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

RNLI shop at the lifeboat station (Selsey Lifeboat Association Shop), run by volunteers.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit