RNLI Chatham Museum — Attraction in England

Seems pretty cool but despite having asked beforehand at the Plan Your Visit Section and being told that it was fine to enter the last exhibition before 5:15 pm, so we could roam about until 6:00 pm when it's their closing time, we were ushered out at 5:15 pm on the dot saying they had to lock up now. Very, very disappointing! Especially as the kids seemed to love this exhibition. All we got after complaining to the manager was a well-meant "sorry!" but that doesn't help when you drove over an hour to get there and you saved the best for last for the kids. So, beware when you really plan your visit there: their real closing time is 5:15 pm!!! Only place you can go afterwards is the shop and food section - to spend some more money. ;) We'll probably go again tomorrow as we left over 80 £ in entrance fees but we're only in the UK for one more day, so I would really have liked to spare my kids the long journey another time. We'll then add Upnor Castle to our things-to-see list to make the trip worthwhile. I still hope you can understand our...

One of the many attractions at at the Historic Dockyard Chatham is the RNLI Lifeboat museum, containing a collection of boats used in the 200 year history of the RNLI.

This collection contains the earliest boats which were oar and/or sail powered, up to modern inshore and deep water lifeboats.

There is also a history of each boat in the collection and other artefacts, including how life boats were launched from man - and women power - tractors and even horses.

Ramps make most of the site accessible for wheelchair users, though some of the lifeboats do have steps to view inside or get on board boats.

In addition for 2024, there is a separate exhibition commemorating the 200 anniversary of the founding of the RNLI with a modern lifeboat inside in one of the exhibition spaces within a building opposite the museum. The exhibition is located beside Number 3 covered slip way and clearly visible when entering the dockyard from...

This RNLI exhibition is located inside the historic dockyard Chatham. There is nearly every type of RNLI boat used over the last 150 years or so. From the very beginning of using wooden boats with oares right up to very modern Rib’s. Some of the bigger more modern boats you can go inside and have a look in the cabin. There is also a part where you can watch videos about the history of the RNLI. Around the edge of the building there is lots of old royal engineers military equipment which is also very interesting to look at. Upstairs is the mezzanine. This is architecturally amazing to look at, what a fantastic sight it is indeed. You do have to buy a yearly ticket for the whole dockyard to visit though. If you are or was a member of the armed forces, have a blue light or an English heritage member you get a great discount. It will cost around £25 but this gives you unlimited access for...