Captain Cook Memorial Museum


Click Photo for Gallery

Grape Lane
Whitby
North Yorkshire
YO22 4BA

Tel: +44 (0)1947 601 900
Fax: +44 (0)1947 601 900
Email: cookmuseum@tiscali.co.uk
Web: Attraction's Own Web Site

Bookmark and Share


In Whitby's narrow, winding Grape Lane close by the busy Harbour, stood the handsome house of 18th century Quaker shipowner John Walker and his family - and - in the attic, his 'other family' of seventeen apprentices, lodging there when not actually away learning seagoing skills between Newcastle and London aboard their Master's coal ships - "that best 'nursery' of seamen". One of these apprentices was the seventeen year old James Cook. The house in Grape Lane was Cook's only known 'landfall' in Whitby and his home is now the museum.

The House

John Walker's house, built in 1688 the year of the Glorious Revolution, had its heyday in the mid 18th century. A shipowner's house, a slipway led directly from the cellar to the edge of the River Esk. From it Walker's sturdy ships, all Whitby built 'cats', were serviced. At the very top of the house, in the ship-timbered attic, the young James Cook pursued his winter studies by candlelight, he must often have looked across the river to the shipyards where, later, the ships he would use on his famous voyages - Endeavour, Resolution, Adventure and Discovery would be built.

An old adjoining cottage was restored in 2002 to make a new wing. There are now eleven rooms to visit in the house

  • Orientation Room - the world before Cook. Group portrait of Omai, Joseph Banks and Dr Solander

  • 'Brick floor'd room - newly discovered kitchen. The story of the house and the Walkers

  • Green Room - a panelled dining room

  • Blue Room - furnished austerely as Cook would have known it in the mid 1700's

  • Whitby Room - this room celebrates Cook's nine Whitby years with letters, documents, pictures and a fine model'cat'

  • London Room - reflects Cook's naval life and achievements

  • Voyages Room - the story of how four small converted collier ships under the Command of James Cook RN put the Pacific Ocean on the map

  • Artists Room - prints of original watercolours were used to illustrate reports and journals

  • Scientists' Room - artefacts from the voyages demonstrate how the frontiers of human knowledge were pushed back

  • The Attic - where the young apprentice seaman spent much of his time ashore

  • A section on Antarctic exploration

    Facilities:

  • Special exhibitions

  • Small gift shop

  • Wheelchair access

  • Education Room

    This year's special exhibition is 'Fish and Ships! A Journey round the World at Captain Cook's table' What did sailors eat on long voyages? Was it all as horrible as popular legend suggests? This exhibition explores food on Cook's voyages; what stores were taken, how food was preserved, how it was served and what extra was caught or gathered during the long voyage. There are many surprises, not least Cook's fine china from Skaill house, Orkney, and Joseph Banks' portable cooking apparatus from the Royal Geographical Society, London and other exhibits from several regional museums.




    Opening Times
    (2011 times)
    1st - 31st March: Daily 11.00am to 3.00pm.

    1st April - 31st October: 9.45am to 5.00pm.
    Last entry half hour before closing.

    Admission Charges
    (2011 prices)
    Adult £4.50; Child £3.00; Family Ticket £11.00.
    Senior Citizen (60+) £4.00; Student £3.00.

    School/Student Group (pre-booked) accompanying teachers and drivers free.

    Directions
    We are in Grape Lane, on the East (Abbey) side of Whitby harbour - over the Swing Bridge, 1st lane on right. A171 from Scarborough or Teesside. A64 and A169 from York.
    Show map of Captain Cook Memorial Museum...

    Captain Cook Memorial Museum Postcode for SatNav: YO22 4BA

    Nearby Attractions
    Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum (12 Miles)*
    On the site visitors can enjoy an exciting and authentic underground experience and discover the special skills and customs of the Cleveland miners.
    Scarborough Sea Life and Marine Sanctuary (14 Miles)*
    Crabs and their many clawed cousins are like marvellous machines, the armoured division of the marine world.
    Scarborough Art Gallery (16 Miles)*
    Paintings donated by local hotelier Tom Laughton form the core of Scarborough Borough's fine art collection.
    more attractions in Whitby and things to do in Whitby ...
    more things to do in North Yorkshire and days out in North Yorkshire...
    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

    Nearby Hotels
    Dunsley Hall Country House Hotel (3 Miles)*
    Dunsley Hall Country House Hotel was built in the 1900s as a dream house for the Pyman Shipping Family. Stylish and original, it retains the quality and unique character of the period.
    Mallyan Spout Hotel (6 Miles)*
    The Mallyan Spout Hotel, Goathland is an ideal base to explore 'Heartbeat Country', nearby Whitby, the Moors and the surrounding countryside. The station for the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is only a short walk from the hotel.
    Cliffemount Hotel - A Non-Smoking Hotel (6 Miles)*
    By the sea, this very special, 3-star (AA) country house offers spectacular sea views, relaxation, comfort and a 2 AA Rosette dining experience. The unique, luxury Cliffemount Hotel is on the cliff-top above Runswick Bay.
    more hotels near Captain Cook Memorial Museum ...
    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

    Nearby Self Catering
    Seal Cottage (< 1 Mile)*
    Seal Cottage, 137 Church Street, Whitby is a Grade II listed building, a 17th Century semi detached cottage situated in the heart of historic Whitby near the foot of the famous 199 steps that lead upto Whitby Abbey.
    Finowe Cottage (< 1 Mile)*
    Finowe Cottage, a three bedroom, two bathroom cottage laid out over four floors, totally refurbished to a very high standard, having kept many of the original features, including the beams in the twin top bedroom.
    Presby House (< 1 Mile)*
    This fantastic cottage in the heart of Whitby, has a secluded patio area. On the ground floor there is a kitchen with washer/dryer, dining room and bedroom with futon bottom sofa/bed and single top bed
    Your property could be here
    Advertising your self catering property or holiday cottage on AboutBritain.com will get you noticed by thousands of potential guests every day.
    more self catering near Captain Cook Memorial Museum ...
    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

    Popular Pages

         National Trust | Estate Agents     

     Copyright © 1999-2012 Excelsior Information Systems Limited. All rights reserved.
    Press Room  Terms of Use  Privacy  Link to Us  Index  Site Map