Museums on the Yorkshire Coast

The Yorkshire Coast has been witness to turbulent events across history – and thanks to our museum offering you can discover these stories for yourself.

Uncover Pre-History

Be transported back so far back in time that you reach a period when great reptiles ruled the land!

That’s right, the Yorkshire Coast is known as the ‘Dinosaur Coast’ thanks to the abundance of fossils that can be found across our beautiful beaches.

One of the most iconic places to visit to uncover the stories of the dinosaurs is The Rotunda Museum in Scarborough. Known for its fascinating collection of fossils, you’ll be able to come face to face with some of the many creatures that once roamed the Yorkshire Coast.

The Place of Explorers, Raiders and Smugglers

The Yorkshire Coast has been home to daring seafarers for centuries – with the fierce Vikings storming the shores of Whitby during their conquest of England.

Later the same coastal town became home to a different kind of daring explorer, with Captain James Cook who charted a course of discovery to the New World in his famous Whitby built ships, HM Bark Endeavour and HMS Resolution. You can explore his story at the Captain Cook Memorial Museum and even look out across the harbour to see a replica of his most famous ship, Endeavour.

Across the Yorkshire Coast, you will be able to explore the stories of everyday people and the impact they had on the places they lived. Go back in time and explore rural life at Ryedale Folk Museum or discover the history of life by the sea at the Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre.

Share the most surprising fact you learn with us using #PlaceofSurprise

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Captain Cook Memorial Museum

Address

Grape Lane, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 4BA

Telephone
01947 601900

info@cookmuseumwhitby.co.uk

Whitby

Adventure! Endurance! Extraordinary Seamanship! Survival against the odds!
Learn about Captain Cook's awe-inspiring voyages.
Fully open from 19 July - Daily

Dates

From:

19 July 2021to31 Oct 2021Open 10:00 - 17:00

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Rotunda Museum

Address

Rotunda Museum, Vernon Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 2PS

Telephone
01723 353665

rotunda@smtrust.uk.com

Scarborough

Opened in 1829, the Rotunda Museum is one of the world’s first purpose-built museums and was built to a design suggested by William ‘Strata’ Smith, known as the father of English Geology. See the fascinating collection of fossils and specially…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2021to31 Dec 2021Various Opening Times

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Sledmere House

Address

Sledmere House, Sledmere, Yorkshire, YO25 3XG

Telephone
01377 236637

info@sledmerehouse.com

Sledmere

One of Yorkshire's most beautiful houses, with some of England's finest plasterwork. Award-winning garden. Military Museum, children's quiz, picnic and play area, terrace cafe and gift shop.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2021to31 Dec 2021Various Opening Times

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Scarborough Fair Collection

Address

Lebberston Cliff, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 3NU

Telephone
01723 586698

info@scarboroughfaircollection.com

Scarborough

The SFC&VTM was once the ‘hidden gem’ of the Yorkshire coast, not any more. The museum attracts thousands of visitors to view its unique collection of working vintage fairground rides, mechanical organs and the collection of vintage vehicles in the…

Dates

From:

21 June 2021to12 Dec 2021

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The Celebrated Mr. Banks Reputation and Legacy

Address

Captain Cook Memorial Museum, Grape Lane, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 4BA

Telephone
01947 601900

info@cookmuseumwhitby.co.uk

Whitby

'The celebrated Mr. Banks. Reputation and Legacy' Special exhibition at Captain Cook Museum, Whitby

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2021to1 Nov 2021Various Opening Times

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Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre

Address

45 Eastborough, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1NH

Telephone
01723 369361

scarboroughmaritime@yahoo.com

Scarborough

Scarborough is Britain's first seaside resort and was once a large shipbuilding and fishing port. We are a community run museum and have been working for over 10 years to help preserve the heritage of Scarborough and its port for future generations.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2021to31 Dec 2021Various Opening Times

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Ryedale Folk Museum

Address

Hutton-le-Hole, Nr. Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO62 6UA

Telephone
01751 417367

info@ryedalefolkmuseum.co.uk

Nr. Pickering

Finest open air museum in Yorkshire. An amazing collection of rescued and restored historic buildings. Everything from craft workshops and thatched cottages to shops flints and a fire engine. The cottage gardens are a real treat.

Dates

From:

1 Apr 2021to30 Sept 2022Open 10:00 - 17:00

From:

1 Oct 2021to30 Nov 2022Open 10:00 - 16:00

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Beck Isle Museum of Rural Life

Address

Bridge Street, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 8DU

Telephone
01751 473653

info@beckislemuseum.org.uk

Pickering

Bygones of Victorian age with something of interest to all ages many rooms including a grocer's shop children's room printer's workshop costume room kitchen.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2021to31 Dec 2021

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Whitby Museum

Address

Pannett Park, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 1RE

Telephone
01947 602908

manager@whitbymuseum.org.uk

Whitby

Whitby Museum is in beautiful Pannett Park, right in the heart of Whitby. It was founded in 1823 and offers a fascinating glimpse of Whitby’s heritage. The Museum has a diverse and intriguing range of displays that tell the story of Whitby and the…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2021to31 Dec 2021Various Opening Times

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Eden Camp Modern History Theme Museum

Address

Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 6RT

Telephone
01653 697777

admin@edencamp.co.uk

Malton

Housed in the buildings and grounds of an original WWII Prisoner of War Camp, a visit to our unique museum will transport you back in time to experience the sights, sounds and smells of wartime Britain.

Dates

From:

7 July 2021to23 Dec 2021Open 10:00 - 17:00

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Scarborough Art Gallery

Address

The Crescent, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 2PW

Telephone
01723 374753

marketing@smtrust.uk.com

Scarborough

Scarborough Art Gallery, an Italianate villa built in the 1840s as part of The Crescent, houses Scarborough's fine art collection. The Art Gallery has a lively temporary exhibition programme that features contemporary work by professional artists.…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2021to31 Dec 2021

From:

2 Jan 2021to24 Dec 2021Various Opening Times

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Pannett Art Gallery

Address

Pannet Park, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 1RE

Telephone
01947600933

pannett.gallery@whitbytowncouncil.gov.uk

Whitby

Discover the elegant Pannett Art Gallery and explore its wonderful art collections and temporary exhibitions.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2021to19 Dec 2021Various Opening Times

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W Hamond - Whitby Jet Museum

Address

Wesley Hall, Church Street, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 4DE

Telephone
01947 667453

wesley@whamond.com

Whitby

Situated at the bottom of Whitby’s famous 199 steps W.Hamond jewellers is the oldest manufacturers and retailers of Whitby Jet jewellery and ornaments in the world.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2021to31 Dec 2021Open 09:30 - 17:30

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Filey Museum

Address

8 - 10 Queen Street, Filey, North Yorkshire, YO14 9HB

Telephone
01723 515013

fileymuseum@gmail.com

Filey

Filey Museum
Probably the best small museum anywhere.

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