Captain Cook Memorial Museum

The museum occupies the former home of Captain John Walker, a prominent Whitby shipowner and Quaker. Cook lodged here in the 1740s while apprenticing in Walker’s merchant fleet. This period was crucial in shaping Cook’s seafaring skills and knowledge of navigation. After completing his apprenticeship, Cook joined the Royal Navy, where he embarked on voyages that would map uncharted territories and expand European knowledge of the Pacific region.

The building’s preservation as a museum highlights Whitby’s role in Cook’s life and the town’s maritime heritage. The exhibits cover Cook’s early career, his three major voyages of discovery, and the impact of his explorations on the scientific and geographical understanding of the time. The museum also addresses the broader historical context of exploration, including interactions with indigenous peoples and the consequences of European expansion.

What to see at the Captain Cook Memorial Museum

Visitors to the Captain Cook Memorial Museum can expect to see a range of exhibits related to Cook’s life and voyages. The ground floor features period rooms furnished to reflect the building’s original appearance during Cook’s time. These rooms include the kitchen, parlour and Cook’s attic bedroom, offering a glimpse into 18th-century domestic life.

The museum’s main exhibition space contains maps, charts and navigational instruments used by Cook and his crew. Original drawings and watercolours from the voyages are on display, depicting landscapes, flora, fauna and indigenous peoples encountered during the expeditions. These artworks provide a visual record of the new territories Cook explored.

A collection of personal items, including letters, journals and tools, offers insight into Cook’s character and experiences. The museum also features temporary exhibitions that focus on specific aspects of Cook’s voyages, maritime history or related themes. These rotating displays provide fresh perspectives and highlight lesser-known details of Cook’s expeditions.

One of the museum’s key exhibits is a detailed model of HMS Endeavour, the ship Cook commanded on his first voyage of discovery. The model illustrates the ship’s structure and the living conditions faced by the crew during their long journeys. Interpretive panels and multimedia displays accompany the exhibits, providing context and background information.

Temporary exhibitions

The Captain Cook Memorial Museum hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions in addition to its permanent exhibits. Current and planned exhibitions include:

Uncharted Dangers – Health at Sea and in Space
The Uncharted Dangers: Health at Sea and in Space exhibition (until 2 November 2025) explores the medical challenges faced by sailors and astronauts. In the 18th century, sailors struggled with diseases like scurvy, often misunderstood due to limited scientific knowledge. Treatments included herbal remedies and bleeding, influenced by the four humours and miasma theories. Despite progress in understanding contagion, many diseases remained poorly understood. The exhibition draws parallels between maritime medicine and the health concerns of space exploration. Collaborating with scientists from Boulby Underground Physics Laboratory, it examines how historical medical practices inform current research for supporting astronauts on Mars missions.

Visiting the Captain Cook Memorial Museum

The museum is located on Grape Lane, a short walk across the River Esk from the town centre. Most points of interest in Whitby are no more than a 10-minute walk from here.

The museum is open daily from early February to October. It is closed for a couple of months over winter.

An admission fee applies, although entry is free of charge with the National Art Pass and the York Pass.

If you enjoyed your visit, you may also want to visit the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum in Middlesbrough.

Allow 1–2 hours for your visit.