Captain Cook Memorial Museum Whitby

Captain Cook Memorial Museum Whitby

Captain Cook Memorial Museum Whitby
4.5
9:45 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:45 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:45 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:45 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:45 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:45 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:45 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:45 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Winner of the 2013 VisitEngland Gold Award for Excellence! Visit the house where the James Cook came to serve his seaman's apprenticeship. The handsome 17th century house on the harbour belonged to Cook's master, the Quaker shipowner, John Walker. It was here in the attic that the family lodged thier apprentices when not at sea serving the London coal trade.The Museum's rich collection celebrates Cook's achievements and the work of those who sailed with him - sailors, scientists and artists.See letters in Cook's own hand, original paintings and drawings, ship models and maps, and strange objects from newly discovered lands.Special Exhibition for 2014 - 'Australian Encounters! Charting a Continent'. Cook and his successors completed the chart of the continentss coastline and marvelled at the strange new creatures they saw - 'unlike anything encountered before!'.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
The area
Address
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • Kerry M
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    James Cook and so much more.
    What an amazing museum! We had our guide Claire talk us through the museum for almost two hours. Her passion and knowledge was exceptional. What she told us about Cook, the era in which he lived, the Quakers, Joseph Banks etc was so well researched. Ask for Claire as your guide.. you won't be disappointed.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 19 September 2023
  • EVA S
    Holmfirth, United Kingdom10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A gem of a museum
    We particularly wanted to see the special exhibition about Captain Cook crossing the Antarctic circle, and were very lucky to have volunteer John take us round it. He was very knowledgeable and explained everything clearly, putting it all into its historical context. The whole museum was excellent, bringing the people and the period to life. We ended up spending must of the day there. We plan to visit again next year when the next exhibition starts, and our one year tickets will still be valid. Thank you to John, and all the staff and volunteers who make this a really memorable place to visit.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 23 September 2023
  • Sharon M
    Leeds, United Kingdom8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent museum
    Great museum and very insightful. Staff and volunteers are excellent. Lots of interest for children too. The entry ticket is valid for a year which is excellent value and there is a changing exhibition so you get to see something different when you return perhaps. A controversial character and era and the museum has left me with an interest to read further. I loved the georgian architecture and history too. Highly recommended and will definitely return.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 10 April 2024
  • Ann Y
    34 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely museum, nicely presented and very interesting. Something for all the family and definitely worth a visit.
    What a lovely museum. Even if you don't know much about Captain Cook, this museum is a great introduction to the seafaring history of the town. Really well presented and a wee oasis of calm in the bustling town.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 7 May 2024
  • Freezer49
    Romford, United Kingdom153 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Don't Miss It.
    Very Interesting Museum, more than just about Captain Cook but also other people he knew and/or associated with, along with his achievements. Well laid out, informative and friendly staff, historical building. Well worth a visit.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 12 May 2024
  • Martin B
    Liverpool, United Kingdom295 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Museum.
    Like Clifford's Tower (York), this was my first visit to the museum for several years. The museum is housed in what was Cook's house while he was learning his seafaring skills. There are 2 floors and the attic, with various rooms and itmes of interest to look and learn about, like the vatious voyages that Cook made during his lifetime, there some lovely paintings on display. There is a £9.00 admission charge, which is valid for 1 year so can visit as many times as you want. Godd value for money.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 31 May 2024
  • Lil1969
    7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Something for everyone
    Always wanted to go. The staff are very knowledgeable. I thought the exhibits were well laid out and stunning as you get a real insight into Cook's seafaring career. Keep the leaflet with you when you go through the house as it gives you an overview of each room you go in to. It's also great for children as they can go on a hunt through the museum and - I'm sure I heard this right - win a stinky starfish? 😂 Your ticket is also good for a year & if you're lucky, some exhibits will change the next time you visit. Anyway, I loved it. Its suitable from the niche historian to the kid that's probably not to keen - go and have a look!
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 24 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles762 reviews
Excellent
380
Very good
279
Average
80
Poor
13
Terrible
10

Pinklady9
Derby, UK460 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
We hadn't sought this museum out but came across it whilst walking about. So we went in and had a browse around. all very interesting and lovely to see all the original handwritten letters and documents. View from attic window was spectacular.
£7 adult entry for the visit which takes about an hour seems a little expensive but upkeep of the treasures inside the museum is of course the most important thing.
Glad we visited, it ws very interesting.
Written 10 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glad you enjoyed the letters and the documents. Once you get into them, they add hugely to the story, the paintings, the maps and the ship models. We are an independent museum, a charity, run mainly by local volunteers with a very small paid staff. Whilst we receive the occasional public grant for development, all regular running costs come out of visitor admissions. Any surplus (a deficit during Covid) goes back into the Museum. Thank you for your support.
Written 30 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Elaine C
8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2022
Several years since last visit, I had forgotton how much I enjoyed it. What a lovely Museum, lots different informative rooms and such friendly staff always willing to help with any questions you may have. The cleanliness is obvious and shows so much throughout the museum. Great exhibits and lots of things to see. A wonderful gift shop with reasonable prices to get that souvenir. Children under 16 go free so great for families with children. More to this museum that it looks from the outside, although only issue is, not great for anyone who may struggle with stairs as some exhibits are on the higher floors. Definitely recommend a visit both for local people and visitors but please allow sufficient time as it can take longer than at first expected if you really want to enjoy the visit. Captain Cook lived in this building while serving his apprenticeship so no better place for this museum to be located.
Written 27 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If it was several years since your last visit, much may have been added. The Museum continues to acquire one or two new items every year. We have just announced the arrival of a watercolour of Matavai Bay in Tahiti. Painted during the 3rd Voyage it shows the encampment on shore in interesting detail – the astronomers tents with special flaps for the telescopes – against a background of mountains and Resolution and Discovery in the distance. Also an 18th century Log and Line, essential ship’s equipment. Bought in Holland it took 3 months to clear British Customs – another story!
Written 16 March 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Olivia G
Shropshire, UK29 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021 • Couples
We enjoyed our trip to this informative little museum. Lots of interest to see. I see an earlier review suggested it was not for younger people, if, being in our twenties, we count as young, I can definitely say as young people we enjoyed our visit. Due to covid the museum is running on a system of 15 minutes per floor. Whilst we totally accept this 15 minute limit is due to covid, being people who love to read everything and explore history, my fiancé who has dyslexia struggled to engage with all the material within this time limit.
Written 26 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, Olivia, for your very positive review. While the Rule of Six is still with us, we have to have the system of 15 minutes per floor. If visitors want longer, they should be allowed to go round a second time on the same ticket providing capacity at the time allows. Thanks to you that has now been arranged. A reviewer’s remark about the suitability of the museum for younger people must have referred to children. A child fixated on the beach or the fairground may not want to be in any museum. However, with parental mentoring (and our staff are there to help) a child, even one quite young, can become enthralled by the story.
Written 29 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

FSHero
Derby, UK82 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2021
My wife and I simply had to visit the museum given the famous Captain Cook’s link with Whitby. Captain Cook’s life and voyages are chronicled by beautiful paintings and drawings and quirky artefacts. There are thorough explanations of all aspects of Cook’s life. Also covered was the house’s role as a family home and lodgings for the sailing apprentices. It was a fascinating visit and would recommend it for anyone even slightly curious about history.
Written 20 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your enthusiastic appreciation.
Written 30 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

KitorKat
46 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
This is one of the smaller museums but it’s totally charming and you’ll spend an enjoyable afternoon here. There is a pleasant sunny courtyard that gives you a fantastic view over the harbour. We sat in the sun for a while enjoying the sun and sea air.

The museum has many artefacts from Cooks time and tells the story of the man, his life and tragic death. It’s set out over several floors so there are stairs but you travel at your own speed. There’s an informative video to watch as well.
Written 12 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The view over the harbour towards the shipyards where all Cook’s ships were built is evocative. Imagine the sight in winter when the harbour was choc a bloc full of ships the same size as the replica. Shame about the mainmast! But then many ships would have been undergoing repair.
Written 21 November 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Stevie H
Wallasey, UK83 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
Very interesting museum with many original and historical artifacts. It's well organised and good value to enter (£7.00 each adult I think). The staff are most friendly and helpful and its easy to get to and you can quite easily spend a few hours inside.
Written 23 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Amanda F
Manchester, UK122 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Couples
We loved this little museum which gave some background detail to Captain Cook (‘honey James’) and really conveyed what an exciting time it was to be alive. We were there an hour. Also it explained what an advantage it was for Cook to learn his trade in Whitby. Highly recommend.
Written 23 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Caroline
Knaresborough, UK6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2022 • Solo
Fascinating museum in a historic Whitby house. Very informative volunteer guide who enhanced my visitor experience with his knowledge of the subject and the exhibits. Learned a lot about Captain Cook, his travels and navigation.
Written 5 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for this appreciative review.
Written 23 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Martin B
Liverpool, UK295 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Solo
Like Clifford's Tower (York), this was my first visit to the museum for several years. The museum is housed in what was Cook's house while he was learning his seafaring skills. There are 2 floors and the attic, with various rooms and itmes of interest to look and learn about, like the vatious voyages that Cook made during his lifetime, there some lovely paintings on display. There is a £9.00 admission charge, which is valid for 1 year so can visit as many times as you want. Godd value for money.
Written 31 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TeessideAngel65
Whitby, UK57 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2021
I have been coming to Whitby for 27 years and it took me until 2021 to finally visit this museum. And I loved it. I really like to see old buildings dressed as they would look "in the day" and this house has rooms set as they would have been. It was a joy to visit. Obviously at the time covid was still very much a threat and social distancing measures were in place. But the volunteer staff were helpful and knowledgeable and informed us to move between floors at the sound of a ship's bell. I could have spent hours in the museum, the house is charming and has wonderful harbour views. I'm looking forward to returning again soon.
Written 22 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Something of a record but you made it at last! Social distancing was a bit of a nightmare. However, visitors accepted ‘naval discipline’ and obeyed ‘ship’s orders’ under the watchful eye of Cook in a fetching blue mask – excepting one gentleman who was outraged we had taken such a liberty with the Great Man!
Written 23 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Showing results 1-10 of 746
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Captain Cook Memorial Museum Whitby

All Whitby HotelsWhitby Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in Whitby
All things to do in Whitby
Zoos & Aquariums in Whitby
RestaurantsFlightsHoliday RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars