East Durham Heritage & Lifeboat Centre

Brilliant little museum with plenty to see consodering the size, also a little gift shop. Staff are friendly and also great to see the lifeboat and read about the history of it

Great little place to visit. It's not big but you get a real sense of the history of the boat they have restored.

Wonderful heritage centre with beautiful old photos and memorabilia from Seaham and it's lifeboat which has been beautifully restored. Set in a marina with craft shops and cafes and stunning sea views.

Excellent place to look around, run by sine bet enthusiastic people - we got the full story of the amazing lifeboat and it's restoration, a great little bit of local history. Some interesting old photos and memorabilia from the local area too.

A great little centre on the Marina and staffed by very friendly and helpful volunteers. Open Thursday to Sunday, but check opening times as these may vary.

We visited as I lost a friend in the Seaham Lifeboat Disaster all those years ago. The East Durham Heritage Group, incredibly, have managed to return the lifeboat, the George Elmy to it's original condition and it's original home. The story of how it was done will amaze and fill you with admiration. The story of the disaster and the recovery of the boat is laid before here along with the boat itself! Please visit. We owe the group a huge debt of gratitude and what we owe the crew of the George Elmy and past and present lifeboatmen can't be quantified in words.

Fascinating museum. Wonderfully helpful and friendly people. Great sculpture outside is a bonus.

Good Place to Visit, with a Interesting free lifeboat exhibition (donations always welcome) and nearby cafes and clean loo's

Great little place, free entry the kids loved looking around.

In 1949 the RNLI commissioned the Lifeboat, official number ON 873. The boat was funded by Miss Elizabeth Elmy of London. She had requested it was named 'George Elmy' In remembrance of her late brother George.The newly built lifeboat arrived at Seaham Harbour in January 1950.Rescuing 20 persons in 12 years.On the night of 17th November 1962 while returning to the safety of the harbour after going to the aid of the fishing coble 'The Economy', a freak wave overwhelmed the lifeboat and all but one of those on board perished.After repairs, the boat was returned to service for another 10yrs before being sold for £600 to begin a new life as a fishing vessel.In May 2009 it was sold on eBay.The East Durham Heritage Group bought it with the aid of a loan from local fisherman Tommy Smith.The George Elmy arrived back in Seaham 15th May 2009 for restoration.June 2013 the boat was fully restored.