About the College: the home of RNLI training

The RNLI college, home to our lifesaving volunteer crew and lifeguards, is also an award-winning 60-bedroom hotel, restaurant, bar and RNLI shop all fully open to guests and members of the public. Riggers restaurant and the Slipway bar, with stunning views over the harbour and the iconic twin sails bridge, offer a daily lunchtime buffet menu, a Sunday carvery and an evening a la carte menu all prepared by our professional top class chefs. For all reservation enquiries, please contact our front of house team on 0300 300 7654 or email [email protected]. For any function or event bookings please email [email protected].

Training is fundamental to saving lives. Through the training of our own lifesavers and that of our college visitors, we’re making a difference to the number of lives saved at sea. In 2022, our volunteer lifeboat crews rescued 45 people every day, our lifeguards aided 23,204 people and our lifeboat crew launched 9,312 times around the coasts of the UK and Ireland.

And as an award-winning hotel and conference venue, we welcome everyone to come and experience the home of RNLI training. So whether you take a tour, stay with us, eat, drink and relax with us, celebrate with us, conference with us or even get married with us, you’ll be helping to make a difference, whatever you do, where every £1 you spend helps save lives at sea. So you can feel good about your stay with us.

Motivating and inspiring

The RNLI is one big family. And each member contributes in their own way to saving lives at sea. We’re proud to share this inspirational ethos with our visitors at RNLI College. You’ll feel it all around you. And that’s why being here makes you feel good.

Make a difference

RNLI College is a hotel like no other, where every £1 you spend helps save lives at sea. So you can feel good about stay with us.

Explore the sights

It’s the perfect base for exploring Dorset with many attractions right on its doorstep. Just a short stroll to Poole Quay, a short drive to Sandbanks Beach and a short hop on a ferry to the National Trust’s Brownsea Island and the Jurassic Coast.