Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum

About the museum

The building began in 1704 as a charity school founded by the local landowner Michael Postgate, who wanted poor boys from Great Ayton to be taught there. The young James Cook attended the school from 1736 until he was about thirteen. The original building was replaced in 1785 by a larger school and poor house, and the premises were later used by the parish council.

It was converted into a museum in the late twentieth century and was refurbished with National Lottery support in 1999 and again in 2012. A bronze plaque showing Cook was added to the outside wall in 1997.

Today the museum is run by a charitable trust with volunteer staff. It tells the story of Cook's childhood and schooling, his later career as a navigator and his voyages, and it places his early years in the context of village life and eighteenth-century education.

Highlights

• Recreated mid-18th-century schoolroom
• Life-size figure of the young James Cook
• Rooms on village history and Cook's voyages, with touchscreens and an audio trail
• Bronze plaque of Cook on the outside wall
• Gift and book shop

Permanent exhibitions

• The eighteenth-century schoolroom – A recreated schoolroom of Cook's day in the middle of the museum, with a life-size figure of the young James Cook.
• Cook's life and voyages – Rooms on Cook's childhood in Great Ayton, his career as a navigator and his voyages, with touchscreens and an audio trail.

Operated by

Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum Trust

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A lift provides step-free access, according to a local tourism listing. The museum website gives no further accessibility details.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The museum describes itself as a good place for the whole family. The displays include touchscreens and an audio trail.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum has a gift and book shop staffed by volunteers.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit