The genesis of a voyager: Whitby and the foundations of James Cook
The Captain Cook Memorial Museum in Whitby is located in Walker’s House on Grape Lane, the 17th-century property where James Cook lodged as an apprentice seaman. This location provides a tangible starting point for the story of one of history’s greatest maritime explorers, as the house belonged to Quaker master-mariner Captain John Walker, to whom Cook was apprenticed.
The museum operates as an independent charitable trust, ensuring a commitment to the preservation of its collections and the historical integrity of the site. During his pivotal apprenticeship years, Cook learned the difficult realities of the seaman’s trade, navigating the dangerous North Sea coal routes. This period of discipline and practical seamanship in Whitby formed the critical foundation for the precision and resilience he would later demonstrate commanding monumental voyages of exploration.
You can book your museum visit online.
Planning your visit: Captain Cook Memorial Museum hours and admission
The Captain Cook Memorial Museum operates a seasonal schedule, so visitors are strongly advised to confirm opening times before travel.
Captain Cook Memorial Museum operating hours
The museum generally opens daily during the main tourist season (late March through early November). Last admission is consistently half an hour before the stated closing time.
Seasonal hours examples include:
| Period | Days | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Main season (late March – early November) | Daily | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Shoulder season (early February – late March) | Daily | 10:30 am – 3:00 pm |
| Late autumn (e.g., November) | Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm |
Captain Cook Memorial Museum admission prices
Admission is set at £11.00 for adults, and this price includes entry to all temporary and permanent exhibitions.
- Accompanied children up to the age of 16 are admitted free of charge.
- For groups, all adult and school parties are required to pre-book their visit. School groups benefit from a discounted entry fee of £7.00 per child, with accompanying adults receiving complimentary admission.
It’s advisable to book tickets in advance.
Getting to the Captain Cook Memorial Museum and parking
The museum is located at Walker’s House, Grape Lane, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 4BA, on the East Side of the harbour. Visitors crossing the Swing Bridge over the River Esk from the West Side should take an immediate right onto Grape Lane.
Parking options near the Captain Cook Memorial Museum
Due to its central, historic location, the museum does not offer public parking facilities directly on site.
- Park and ride: This is the recommended strategy during the peak season (Easter through October), operating from the A171 on the west side of the town.
- Town centre parking: Visitors can seek pay-and-display parking in nearby town centre car parks on streets such as Waterstead Lane and Windsor Terrace.
- Disabled parking: Dedicated Blue Badge parking spaces are available on Church Street, located approximately 100 yards from the museum entrance.
The nearest railway station is Whitby, which is also the terminus for the scenic North York Moors Railway.
Inside the Captain Cook Memorial Museum: Exhibits and collections
The museum documents Cook’s life from his local training to his status as a national hero celebrated for the mapping of Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific.
Original documents and art of the voyages
The collection features original documents, including handwritten letters penned by Cook himself, offering glimpses into his personal thoughts. Official correspondence includes a deeply poignant note written by King George III expressing regret at the news of Cook’s death in 1779.
The museum houses a vital collection of original voyage artwork. This includes watercolours and sketches created by official artists like William Hodges (Second Voyage) and John Webber (Third Voyage), which serve as crucial visual documentation of the landscapes and peoples of the South Pacific. Portraits of Cook and his patrons, such as John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich (attributed to Gainsborough), are also featured, confirming the political patronage underpinning the expeditions.
Reconstructed rooms and special exhibitions
The two ground-floor rooms are meticulously furnished according to a verifiable 1754 inventory of Walker’s house, recreating the atmosphere of 18th-century Quaker simplicity where Cook lived.
The museum also maintains relevance through a program of rotating special exhibitions. An example is a thematic display that deliberately links the extreme medical challenges of 18th-century maritime expeditions (such as combating scurvy) to modern health challenges faced in isolated environments like space.
Accessing the Captain Cook Memorial Museum: Accessibility and facilities
As a Grade I listed, 17th-century building spanning four floors, the museum has structural constraints, but management has implemented solutions to maximize accessibility.
- Mobility access: Short ramps connect the street entrance and courtyard to the ground floor rooms, which wheelchair users are able to negotiate. A specially installed lift from reception provides access to the entire first floor for one wheelchair and carer at a time.
- Restricted access areas: Due to architectural limitations, the second floor (Artists’ and Scientists’ rooms) and the attic are not physically accessible to mobility-impaired visitors. A DVD providing visual access to these areas and the current special exhibition is viewable on the ground floor.
- Facilities: The museum provides two washrooms, one of which is accessible. However, the building is not pushchair-friendly, and it does not possess baby changing facilities.
- Assistance animals: Only registered assistance dogs, accompanied by formal identification and wearing the appropriate jacket, are permitted inside.
Attractions nearby the Captain Cook Memorial Museum
The museum sits centrally on Whitby’s heritage trail, placing it near several complementary attractions that enrich the visitor’s understanding of the town’s history:
- Whitby Abbey and the 199 Steps: A short climb away, these landmarks provide a contrasting view of medieval and ecclesiastical history and famously inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
- Whitby Museum and Pannett Art Gallery: Located in Pannett Park, these institutions house broader collections reflecting Whitby’s history, local culture, and international art.
- Whitby Harbour: The museum is located directly on the harbourside, near establishments famous for preserving Whitby’s maritime culinary traditions. (OK, lots of fish and chip shops)
More Yorkshire travel
Other Yorkshire travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Do I need to book York Dungeon tickets in advance?
- The National Railway Museum in York: A parking guide.
- All you need to know about visiting the York Bird of Prey Centre.
- A practical guide to visiting Pontefract Castle.
- How to visit Hardraw Force, England’s tallest waterfall.
