RNLI Whitby Museum
📍 Pier Rd, Whitby YO21 3PU, UK
About RNLI Whitby Museum
The RNLI Whitby Museum offers a compelling insight into the brave history of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's operations in Whitby. Located on Pier Road, this free-to-enter museum is housed within a custom-built double boathouse, once actively used by the RNLI, providing an authentic backdrop to its heroic tales. It serves as a tribute to the dedicated volunteers who have risked their lives to save others along the Yorkshire Coast.
Visitors can explore a fantastic collection of exhibits and read fascinating information detailing significant rescues, the evolution of lifeboats, and the crucial role the RNLI plays. Despite its modest size, the museum is praised by visitors for packing in a wealth of engaging content. The welcoming and knowledgeable team enhance the experience, readily sharing insights and stories about this vital service.
Visiting Information
The RNLI Whitby Museum welcomes visitors daily from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Highly rated with 4.6/5 stars from hundreds of reviews, it ensures a comfortable visit for all, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance. The museum also accepts NFC payments for convenience.
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📍 Pier Rd, Whitby YO21 3PU, UK
from 422 reviews
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Showing 5 of 422 reviews from Google Maps.Last updated 5 February 2026.
A really lovely museum that’s free to enter. There’s Wonderful interesting information to read and lots of exhibits to look at. The staff are welcoming, friendly, and very knowledgeable, which makes the visit even better.
A really lovely museum that’s free to enter. There’s plenty of interesting information to read and lots of exhibits to look at. The staff are welcoming, friendly, and very knowledgeable, which makes the visit even better.
As someone who loves living on the Yorkshire Coast (and appreciates that she's lucky to do so), the RNLI always has a special place in my heart. The RNLI Whitby Museum isn't huge but it packs in some fantastic exhibits. It is housed in a custom-built double boathouse that was used by the RNLI from 1895–1957. The museum displays the RNLB Robert & Ellen Robson lifeboat which was built in 1918 which is awe-inspiring to see close up. The ships oars alone are enormous! The museum features artefacts and information about famous sea rescues including those involving Coxswains Henry Freeman and Thomas Langlands. It also has an excellent section about the HMHS Rohilla, a hospital ship that foundered of Whitby in 1914. The rescue took three days ... this is a truly moving story that shows how brave and dedicated RNLI volunteers are.
Really nice museum. It's not that big and can be seen quickly, but the items on display tell a lot of stories. Fascinating for anyone interested in maritime history or the RNLI. Good gift shop as well selling quality items.
Small but interesting museum housing 1 historic lifeboat,the placards detailing the rescues over the years are well worth a read There is also a RNLI shop on site