Captain Cook Birthplace Trust

20/01/2026

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15/01/2026

One of the region’s best-loved family attractions is to stay open longer this month thanks to national grant funding.

Middlesbrough’s Captain Cook Birthplace Museum normally opens only during school holidays.

But this month the Stewart Park museum will stay open until Sunday, January 25 with support from Arts Council England’s Museum Renewal Fund.

The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum explores the life and legacy of Middlesbrough’s most famous son, shedding light on his formative years, education, global voyages, scientific experimentation, navigational achievements and the long-term impact of his expeditions.

Welcoming the extended opening, Councillor Philippa Storey, Middlesbrough Deputy Mayor and Executive member for Education & Culture, said: “This extended opening is a great start to the new year for local residents and visitors to Middlesbrough alike, and I’m so grateful to Arts Council England for making it possible.

“We know how much the public value this amazing museum which tells the story of one of history’s great explorers, and of a town which has left its mark around the globe.

“Keeping the doors open longer this winter will give more people a chance to soak up that incredible history and heritage, so I hope as many as possible will take up the opportunity.”

The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum at Middlesbrough’s Stewart Park is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, until Sunday, January 25.

For more information visit Captain Cook Birthplace Museum | Middlesbrough Council

03/01/2026

Did you know you can support the Captain Cook Birthplace Trust via a £1.00 weekly
Middlesbrough Lottery ticket...
Thank you for your continued support.

Play the lottery this January, and you could start 2026 with a bang with our first Super Draw prize of the year - a £1,000 Aldi gift card!

27/10/2025

Great to give my presentation ‘Diet, Disease and Death and Captain Cook’ to Barnard Castle WI on the great man’s birthday!

27/10/2025

Happy Birthday James Cook!
Born on 27th October 1728 ,in the village of Marton, now Stewart Park in Middlesbrough, he would go onto become a great explorer.
Not born to privilege, Cook would achieve great things that changed our perception of the world.
His parents James and Grace worked on a farm and lived in tied accommodation on the Marton Estate.
Today the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum, opened on the 250th anniversary of Cook’s birth, tells his story and explores his legacy.
Why not visit and learn more?

26/10/2025

Celebrate a local legend's birthday at the Captain Cook Birthplace MuseumMake sure you all go along to the museum this autumn. Thanks to a major funding success the Captain Cook Birthplace Museumis open this half term and right through to January 25th.

It would be fantastic for the future of this much loved museum for everyone to pay the museum a visit especially in this the birthday week of our Marton born navigator, scientist and explorer.

Here are the details of the recent successful funding that has allowed the museum to be kept open this autumn.

The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum in Middlesbrough has received a boost from a national fund.

The museum in Stewart Park has received £239,551 from Arts Council England’s Museum Renewal Fund.

The money will allow the museum to open this winter and support moving the Australia Gallery to a more accessible location.

Marketing of the museum service will increase and the cash will also support development of ambitious plans for a new venue in Stewart Park.

Cllr Philippa Storey, Deputy Mayor and Executive member for Culture at Middlesbrough Council, welcomed the announcement.

“Our relationship with Arts Council England is incredibly important to us and this latest funding is another boost to our cultural offer,” she said.

“The Museums Renewal Fund recognises the challenges that venues like ours face and this money will help us promote our museums, open this winter and also look to the future.

“Thank you to our staff who worked hard on this bid, showing their usual enthusiasm and dedication to our venues.”

A total of £20m is being shared between 75 museum services around the country.

Museums Minister Baroness Fiona Twycross said: “Museums offer a place where people from all backgrounds can learn, be inspired and delve into our rich history, helping to understand the stories that led us to where we are today.

“The Museum Renewal Fund ensures much-loved civic museums can remain open and continue to provide opportunities for future generations to learn about our shared heritage and how their local community has played its part in our national story.”

18/06/2025

13/04/2025

Isn’t this wonderful?

08/04/2025

This should be a great reason to visit the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum !

Get ready for a swashbuckling adventure this weekend!

Pirates and Redcoats demonstrate their swashbuckling and military might as they clash at our living history camp including:

☠Learn the Legends
⚔Children's Military Drill Activity
🏴‍☠️Easter Pirate Trail
💧Stocks and Sponge Throwing
🫖Time-Travelling Tea Tent

Come and see history come to life!

📅Sat 12 - Sun 13 April
🎟Free with Museum Admission!

08/04/2025

Great to see that this will be back from 19 April …. and the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum will be open from 12 April with lots of activities….

An iconic replica of Captain Cook's Endeavour ship will be making its return voyage to a town centre shopping centre this spring ⚓

The popular sculpture will anchor at its former home at the Cleveland Centre for a temporary period between 19 April - 1 June.

The beloved centrepiece was removed and put into storage in 2005 due to redevelopment and has only reappeared twice in 2016 and 2020.

The display is hoped to evoke many fond childhood memories for visitors.

Credit 📸: The Cleveland Centre

03/04/2025

Brilliant event at the Captain Cook Museum in Whitby. Clair Stones and Fiona Barnard engaged in a ‘chat’ about James Cook and the Scoresbys, father and son.
Under the watchful eyes of Cook, they peeled back the story of these remarkable men and explored similarities and differences in their backgrounds, experiences, achievements, and legacies, including their relationships with Joseph Banks.
Informative, engaging, and entertaining.