Adventure, endurance, extraordinary seamanship and survival against the odds mark the Cook story.

It began at the handsome 17th century harbourside house now the Captain Cook Memorial Museum.

This is where the great explorer, James Cook, came to serve his apprenticeship in Whitby in the year 1746. It belonged to Cook's master, the Quaker ship owner, Captain John Walker. When the young Cook was not at sea, he lodged here in the attic with Walker's 'other family' of apprentices.

Cook’s voyages were the 18th century equivalent of today’s missions to Mars. For ten years Cook and his crews explored the unknown, uncharted waters of the Pacific, the South Atlantic, and the Arctic Oceans. Danger was ever present.

The thought-provoking collection of original paintings and drawings, letters in Cook’s own hand, ship models, maps and fascinating objects gathered on the voyages illustrate the Cook story.

New special exhibition every year.

For 2025: ‘Uncharted Dangers: Health at Sea and in Space’

Keeping men healthy at sea was a major problem for the Navy, whether conducting month-long blockades of the French coast, or undertaking lengthy voyages. Scurvy indeed has been called ‘the disease of discovery’.

The awareness of diseases and cures during the 18th century was marked by a blend of empirical observations, traditional remedies, and emerging scientific thought. Medical understanding at the time was significantly shaped by the theory of the four bodily humours, and also by the miasma theory which attributed diseases to 'bad air'; or environmental factors. While some diseases were accurately diagnosed, medical professionals misunderstood many others.

Ships surgeons in the Royal Navy, for instance, encountered common maladies like scurvy. However, they did not comprehend the connection to deficiencies until vitamins were discovered in the 20 th century. Treatments often included a mix of herbal remedies, bleeding, and the use of various ‘tonics’. The era, nonetheless, saw progress in understanding contagious diseases and efforts to implement quarantine measures.

The focus was primarily on disease prevention strategies. The 18th century laid the groundwork for medical advances, but awareness of diseases and their cures remained a slow and complex development of traditional practices and emerging scientific insights.

As humanity enters a new phase of space exploration, the historical insights into medical challenges faced by sailors find some reflection again in the health considerations of space travel. We will be working with scientists from the Boulby Underground Physics Laboratory who are researching the medical aspects of supporting astronauts exploring Mars. We will examine the parallels between historical maritime medicine and the health implications of space exploration. These provide an interesting perspective on the evolution of healthcare practices in extreme and isolated settings. Through this exhibition, our goal is to stimulate curiosity and cultivate a greater understanding of the challenges confronted by those navigating uncharted areas.

Specially for children, Museum Activity Trail, activity cards.

An exciting events programme for all - Online booking available

Free house guide (in 6 languages).

Gift shop.

For information on prices and opening dates, please visit our website, please click HERE.

For public transport info click here.