Captain Cook Birthplace Museum

Captain Cook Birthplace Museum Open during school holidays. Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm.
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Nestled within the picturesque Stewart Park just outside of Middlesbrough, our museum is situated near the very spot where Captain Cook's birthplace cottage once stood. The museum is situated in a purpose-built building close to the granite urn marking the site of Cook’s birthplace cottage in Stewart Park, Marton, Middlesbrough. The museum tells the story of one of the world’s greatest navigators

and mariners through themed display galleries, temporary exhibitions, associated activities and events and a lively education programme. There is full disabled access throughout and additional facilities such as the Discovery Room (education & activities), the Endeavour Room (meetings & events), the Resolution Resources Room (archive & research), gift/book shop, and a café.

On this day in 1768..Captain James Cook and the Endeavour set sail on a voyage that would reshape the world's maps.Their...
26/08/2026

On this day in 1768..

Captain James Cook and the Endeavour set sail on a voyage that would reshape the world's maps.

Their mission took them from Plymouth to Tahiti to observe the transit of Venus, before continuing to New Zealand and Australia. Along the way, Cook accurately charted new territories, improved navigation techniques, and successfully reduced scurvy among his crew.

From mapping New Zealand's coastline to landing at Botany Bay in 1770, Cook's journey remains one of the most significant voyages of discovery in history.

To find out more about Captain Cook's history and legacy - why not visit us this summer?

25/08/2026

We're into the final week of summer opening. Why not come down and check out everything we've got going on? Interactive games. New galleries. A world of discovery!

On this day in 1770, James Cook stood on Possession Island and claimed the eastern coast of Australia for the British Cr...
22/08/2026

On this day in 1770, James Cook stood on Possession Island and claimed the eastern coast of Australia for the British Crown, naming it New South Wales.

While historically recorded as a pivotal moment of maritime exploration, today this anniversary carries deeply contrasting meanings. For many, it is remembered as a feat of charting and navigation.

For the First Nations peoples of Australia, however, it marks the beginning of a profound dispossession of lands they had nurtured and governed for over 65,000 years.

True history requires looking at the full picture. Middlesbrough Museums is committed to presenting these complex, shared histories. We invite visitors to explore our collections and reflect on both the global impact of the HMB Endeavour’s voyage and the lived experiences of Australia's First Nations peoples.

Thank you to everyone who came to our Pirate Takeover! We hope you had a an amazing time me hearties, don't forget your ...
19/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who came to our Pirate Takeover!

We hope you had a an amazing time me hearties, don't forget your museum admission means you can now return to the museum for the rest of the season for our galleries, playscape, interactive activities and craft days!

See yourself or your little one? Let us know in the comments Arrrr🏴‍☠️

The next couple of days are looking like rain. Why not have an indoor adventure with us? Don't forget...We’re taking par...
18/08/2026

The next couple of days are looking like rain. Why not have an indoor adventure with us?

Don't forget...

We’re taking part in the UK Government’s Great British Summer Savings Scheme, which offers discounted entry for children and families during our summer opening period up until Sunday 30 August.

⭐⭐WE'RE HIRING ⭐⭐Do you love working with people and creating welcoming, memorable experiences? Are you someone who enjo...
14/08/2026

⭐⭐WE'RE HIRING ⭐⭐

Do you love working with people and creating welcoming, memorable experiences? Are you someone who enjoys variety, from front-of-house service to hands-on operational tasks?

Middlesbrough Museums is growing, and we are looking for Visitor Experience Assistants to join our team, working across our iconic sites including Dorman Museum and Captain Cook Birthplace Museum.

We have two roles available. One for 13 hours per week and one for 30 hours per week.

13 Hour Role: https://middlesbrough.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/Advert/4287347?cid=3243&rsid=0&js=0&LinkType=1&FromSearch=False

30 Hour Role: https://middlesbrough.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/Advert/4287358?cid=3243&rsid=0&js=0&LinkType=1&FromSearch=False

Is everyone excited about today’s eclipse? 260 years ago, James Cook saw one too. On 5 August 1766, while surveying the ...
12/08/2026

Is everyone excited about today’s eclipse? 260 years ago, James Cook saw one too.

On 5 August 1766, while surveying the Canadian coast aboard HMS Grenville, Cook observed a solar eclipse from a small island near Newfoundland. He carefully recorded the timing of the eclipse and used his observations to calculate the longitude of his position - valuable scientific work at a time when determining longitude at sea was one of navigation's great challenges.

His findings were later presented to the Royal Society in London, helping bring Cook to the attention of the scientific community. The island where he made his observations became known as Eclipse Island.

And today, 12 August 2026, we find ourselves looking up at the same celestial phenomenon.

The eclipse crossing the skies today is a total solar eclipse globally, although here in the UK we will see a partial eclipse, with the Moon covering more than 90% of the Sun in many parts of the country.

Captain James Cook used a brass telescopic quadrant made by instrument maker John Bird to observe the solar eclipse. If you don't have one of those, please make sure you don’t look directly at the sun!

James Cook, Paper, 'Eclipse of the Sun 5 August 1766, observed at Newfoundland' by James Cook, communicated by John Bevis, 05 March 1767, L&P/4/386, The Royal Society Archives, London.

A bit like a boomerang, you can return to the museum as many times as you want this summer when you buy a ticket. Visit ...
07/08/2026

A bit like a boomerang, you can return to the museum as many times as you want this summer when you buy a ticket.

Visit the Voice of the Land exhibition which tells the story of aboriginal peoples through displays exploring art, ceremonies and daily life.

We've also got a brand-new interactive space full of games, VR displays, and animations to get involved with.

Open Tuesday to Sunday through the summer holidays.

When did you last visit?

One week to go until Pirate Takeover Day at the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum! 🏴‍☠️A full day of activities to shiver y...
06/08/2026

One week to go until Pirate Takeover Day at the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum! 🏴‍☠️

A full day of activities to shiver your timbers (included with your season admission pass!)

Including: an inflatable assault course, sea stories, pirate crafts and more! ⚔☠️

Link to season pass in comments!

Address

Stewart Park, The Grove, Marton
Middlesbrough
TS78AT

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

01642 311211

Website

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