Visiting Wells lifeboat station

We've moved into our new boathouse building on the end of the beach bank, home to our Shannon-class all-weather lifeboat RNLB 13-46 Duke of Edinburgh and our inshore lifeboat D-797 Peter Wilcox.

The lifeboat station has a shop and visitor centre and a first-floor viewing gallery where you can see the boats.

Shop and viewing gallery open 10-4 Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday

Shop, Visitor Centre and Public Viewing Gallery

Manned by volunteers, the shop and information centre next to the beach bank are normally open on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from 10am until 4pm with some extra days... we try to be open every day in the summer holidays and half-terms and for special events.

There is access, via a staircase or lift, to the public viewing gallery. This is in the boat hall at first floor level and you can see both the Shannon lifeboat and SLRS launching carriage, and the inshore lifeboat and Softrak launching vehicle. The viewing gallery is usually accessible whenever the shop is open but it may sometimes be necessary to close it if there aren't enough volunteers on hand or while training or other work is going on in the boat hall. Further, in good weather, we sometimes can have the main doors open so you can get a good view of the Shannon lifeboat at ground level from the front.

Visiting when the shop and gallery are open is the easiest way to get to see the lifeboats but 'Launch A Memory' donors please note that there is not a clear view of the names on the boat's 13-46 decals from the gallery.

Viewing days and doors open

We've held some successful viewing days with 13-46 on public display in front of the boathouse with volunteers from both the crew and the shop and visits team on-hand to chat and answer questions about our work. We will post dates and information about these days on our events page and on our Facebook and Instagram.

We also try to have the main doors open in good weather on some days so that the public can see the boat and 'Launch A Memory' names on the bow from in front at ground level. There's no fixed schedule for this but if you're visiting over the summer, you may find this is an option.

Out of hours visits

When the shop is closed or the building is unmanned, you can still view the inshore lifeboat and a glimpse of the Shannon lifeboat through the main window from the beach bank path. Additionally, on three benches to the south of the building, there are exact reproductions of the 'Launch A Memory' names carried in the 13-46 decals on the Duke of Edinburgh. This area is open to the public and you are welcome to view the names here at any time.

Boathouse tours

Our volunteers sometimes show people around the lifeboat station on 50 minute tours. These are free but limited to 12 people at a time so must be booked in advance on the Eventbrite link below.

Book a boathouse tour

Groups and other visits

Please contact the station in advance if you wish to arrange a visit for larger groups such as schools and clubs. This may be difficult for us to fit in but we'll do our best to accommodate you.

Launch A Memory names

If you wish to visit to see the lifeboat, it is best to come on a day when the shop and viewing gallery are open. There is not a view of the actual names in the 13-46 decals but you are close to and get a good view of the lifeboat. You can see exact reproductions of the name decals at any time on the benches behind the building.

On some days, the main doors may be open so you can see the names on the port or starboard bow. The names on the wheelhouse roof are too high up to be seen from the ground or viewing gallery.

You might also want to keep an eye out for days when the boat is on exercise (see our home page) when you may see her launch or be recovered... although you will have to stay at a safe distance from the boat, this is a good way to see her operating with the crew.

We also have occasional public viewing days where donors will be able to get closer to the boat; see our events page for dates.