Captain Cook Memorial Museum |
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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
1700's
much of his time ashore Facilities:
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.
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Opening Times
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(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. |
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Admission Charges
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(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. |
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Directions
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| 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... |
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Nearby Attractions
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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. |
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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. |
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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... |
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Nearby Hotels
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Nearby Self Catering
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