Captain Cook Memorial Museum

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: http://www.cookmuseumwhitby.co.uk


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
  • Souvenir guide
  • Wheelchair access
  • Education Room

    This year's special exhibition is 'Smoking Coasts and ice-bound Seas, Cook's Voyage to the Arctic'. The purpose of Cook's third Voyage was to find the North West Passage. His ships probed beyond the Bering Straits before being forced back by the pack ice. During a second attempt they stopped at Kamchatka in eastern Siberia where they met Russians and native peoples, and experienced a volcanic eruption - a little known story.

     

    Opening Times
    (2008 times)
    1st - 20th March: Daily 11.00am to 3.00pm.

    21st March - 31st October: 9.45am to 5.00pm.
    Last entry half hour before closing.

    Admission Charges
    (2008 prices)
    Adult £4.00; Child £3.00; Family Ticket £10.50; Senior Citizen (60+) £3.50; 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...

    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)*
    The centre houses thousands of fascinating creatures as well a busy, and highly successful marine sanctuary for orphaned, sickly and injured seal pups.
    Scarborough Art Gallery (16 Miles)*
    Paintings donated by local hotelier Tom Laughton form the core of Scarborough Borough's fine art collection.
    more nearby attractions...
    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

    Nearby Hotels
    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.
    Grinkle Park Hotel (10 Miles)*
    The Grinkle Park is an outstanding hotel set in 500 acres near to the town of Whitby. Located in the North Yorkshire Moors, the hotel has the comfort and character of a Victorian shooting lodge with excellent cuisine and wine cellar.
    Hackness Grange (12 Miles)*
    On a private estate at the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, offering bedrooms in the Main House and Elegant Courtyard, with excellent cuisine and a choice of fine wines.
    more nearby hotels...
    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

    Nearby Self Catering
    Cooks View (< 1 Mile)*
    With all the character and charm befitting its age, Cooks View is a delightful, lovingly restored holiday cottage at the centre of the Old Town of Whitby.
    Tides Reach (< 1 Mile)*
    Our luxury holiday apartment Tides Reach is located within an exciting new Yorkshire waterfront development just a quarter of a mile from the heart of Whitby's Old Town. With fabulous views of the ruined Abbey.
    The Trees (1 Mile)*
    Only a short distance from the heart of the picturesque fishing port of Whitby this idyllic 2 bedroom bungalow has parking and a small garden.
    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 nearby self catering...
    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

    Popular Pages

    Tourist Information Centres | Estate Agents

    Holiday Cottages in England | Holiday Cottages in Scotland

    Alton Towers Hotels | Blackpool Hotels | Travel Lodge | Cardiff Hotels

    Brighton Hotels | Marriot Hotels | Newcastle Hotels | Bournemouth Hotels

     Copyright © 1999-2008 Excelsior Information Systems Limited. All rights reserved.
    Press Room  Terms of Use  Privacy  Link to Us  Self-Catering Advertising  Index  Site Map