About

Whitby Museum is Whitby’s treasure trove!

Here you can explore stunning collections of local fossils, natural history, model ships, carved jet, toys, costumes & social history. In fact there’s something for everyone!

The Museum is celebrating its bicentenary year; it first opened its doors 200 years ago. The Whitby Literary & Philosophical Society, a registered charity, which opened the museum still runs the Museum today and relies on the dedicated work of its’ volunteers to help upkeep this stunning collection.

Our collection of over 80,000 artefacts, donated over 2 centuries is of local, national & international interest. As well as our permanent collection we have special exhibitions:- ‘200 Years of Collecting’ looking into how the museum collections have grown over its 200 year history with an array of interesting and quirky objects, and our costume gallery is also celebrating ‘200 years of fashion’ with a look at clothes through the last two centuries.

Catch our special film ‘The Department of Miscellaneous Curiosities’ and find out all about this wonderful museum and its history.
Children will be fascinated by the massive wall mounted marine reptile fossils & everyone is sure to want to see the gruesome Hand of Glory!

As you wander around our exhibits discover how leeches helped predict the weather in Victorian times & marvel over the intricate hand carved jet models & jewellery.

Find out about Whitby’s maritime past from the adventurous Captain Cook to the famous Scoresby whaling family.

Did you know that mammoths & rhinoceros wandered these parts during the Ice Age?
Take a look at the Kirkdale Cave exhibit to find out more.

Stop by for a cup of tea at the Whitby Museum Tea Room. Whitby Museum Tea Room is a place to come and relax, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy some great tasting homemade food, loose leaf tea and freshly brewed coffee.