Captain Cook Memorial Museum
Grape Lane, Whitby, Yorkshire, YO22 4BA
In the 17th-century Whitby residence he once called home, take a voyage through the life and times of Captain James Cook at the Captain Cook Memorial Museum. Highlights are the attic room—complete with period furnishings—as well as artifacts Cook brought back from New Zealand and original letters penned by the man himself.
The Basics
The Captain Cook Memorial Museum houses a small but well-curated collection of original James Cook memorabilia, as well as annual temporary exhibits. Don’t miss the collection of maps, ship models, and original artwork of Cook’s many voyages, which are spread across three floors of this 17th-century Quaker-owned house-turned-museum. Easily explored in an hour or less, visits to the Captain Cook Memorial Museum are often combined with stops at nearby villages such as Helmsley or even the North York Moors during guided full-day excursions.
Things to Know Before You Go
The Captain Cook Memorial Museum is an excellent rainy-day destination for travelers with children, thanks to regular kid-friendly workshops.
Plan to spend around an hour exploring the Captain Cook Memorial Museum.
There’s an on-site gift store and restrooms.
Due to the historic nature of the property, wheelchair users cannot access the top floors; however, DVD screenings on the ground floor cover the content of the upper floors.
How to Get There
The Captain Cook Memorial Museum is situated on Grape Lane in Whitby and most visitors find it easiest to access by private vehicle. From York, take the A64 and A169 roads northeast to Whitby or opt for an excursion which includes round-trip transportation. Alternatively, arrive by train—Captain Cook Memorial Museum is just a 5-minute walk from Whitby station.
When to Get There
The Captain Cook Memorial Museum is open daily between March and October, typically from the mid-morning until the late afternoon. Between November and February, the museum is always closed to the general public although you can still pre-book a scheduled visit. Avoid visiting during the school holidays when the museum is at its busiest.
Learn More About Captain Cook
Learn more about Captain Cook while you’re in the area at the nearby Captain Cook Birthplace Museum in Middlesbrough, the Schoolroom Museum in Great Ayton—where you’ll find a reconstruction of the school Cook attended as a boy—or the Captain Cook Heritage Centre in Staithes. Alternatively, visit the National Maritime Museum in London to learn about Cook and other well-known seafarers.
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