This delightful little building has beenn inspired by the former lifeboat shed and watchower in Looe. Typical of the Victorian era, its grand Italianate style lends rather a grand look to what would otherwise be a rather humble construction of rubble walls finished off with granite quoins and red brick detailing around the windows.
Looe got its station in 1866 but it wasn't until 1902 that the lifeboat featured on our model arrived for serivce. The ryder served for twenty-eight years, right up until the station was closed in 1930, and during this time was launched twelve times and saved thirty-seven lives. Today, the fully restored Ryder is the only surviving standard self-righting lifeboat in the country and is moored in Polperro Harbour as part of the Heritage Museum display.