Captain Cook's Early Life in North Yorkshire

Join me on a journey through the early life of one of history's greatest explorers, Captain James Cook. In this video, I explore Cook's formative years in the picturesque county of North Yorkshire, England, and the experiences that would shape his legendary career.
Cook was born in the village of Marton near Middlesbrough in 1728 and spent much of his childhood in the nearby village of Great Ayton. In this video, I visit the places that were significant in Cook's early life, including his birthplace and the school where he received his education.
I also take a look at the impact that North Yorkshire had on Cook's development as an explorer and navigator. The rugged landscapes, wild coastlines, and seafaring traditions of the region would all prove to be influential factors in Cook's later career as a navigator and explorer.
From humble beginnings in North Yorkshire to the heights of exploration and discovery, Cook's story is one of perseverance, dedication, and adventure.
Whether you are a fan of history, exploration, or simply interested in learning more about one of the world's greatest navigators, this video is sure to captivate and inspire. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more videos like this!
SPECIAL THANKS
Captain Cook Birthplace Museum - www.captcook-ne.co.uk/ccbm/
Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum - captaincookschoolroommuseum.c...
Cook Memorial Museum - www.cookmuseumwhitby.co.uk
The Endeavour pub & accommodation, Whitby - endeavourpub.co.uk
Luke Comyn ( / @lukecomyn7973 ) for the footage of the Endeavour at sea - amzn.to/3dNzYwj
Staithes Heritage Centre
St Cuthbert’s Church
USEFUL LINKS
The Endeavour Experience Whitby - www.hmbarkendeavour.co.uk
Aireyholme Farm Cottage Holiday Rental - [e-mail]
The Captain Cook Inn, Staithes- captaincookinn.co.uk
Captain Cook’s Cottage, Staithes- captain-cooks-cottage-holiday...
MY PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT
Camera - amzn.to/3uKpoMu
Tripod - amzn.to/3uFsce1
Drone - amzn.to/3wMw9yQ
Memory card - amzn.to/3uGVVmL
Music - tinyurl.com/kk8wcu2v

[@yeshayaamichai1512]

Before moving to Yorkshire I lived on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. It was very interesting to me to visit Middlesbrough and Whitby after having been to Kealakekua in Hawaiʻi where he was killed. As many probably know, Polynesia has a very different relationship to the legacy of Cook and he is a prominent symbol of the process of de-colonization there.

[@SeekTruth300]

A fair bit of research has gone into this video, it’s like a history lesson, love it! I hope the channel grows and you follow in Cook’s footsteps round the world ⛵️ 🌍

[@TheDalekwidow]

Enjoyed your video very much. I was taught about Captain Cook when I first visited Whitby in 1963. I was lucky enough to be able to see HMS Bark Endeavour (replica) sail into Whitby from Freemantle, Australia in 1997. A momentous and emotional day with thousands of people waiting on the harbourside. I will never forget that day..... Thank you for sharing Captain Cooks story ..

[@JakeYorkman]

Absolutely loved this video Andrew. Captain Cook is a historical hero of mine. Fantastic video my friend.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers mate 👍🏼 enjoyed making it as they were great locations to film.

[@ashdrive]

Stunning locations...

[@shek2nd]

Loved history at school many years ago, these videos freshen the mind and add a different perspective

[@InSimonated]

I'm from New Zealand, where our relationship with Cook's legacy is, more... complex, and sadly, problematic, shall we say. ​ However, your video was really eye opening and enjoyable. Your obvious enthusiasm for the boy, who went on to become the man, was genuinely fascinating. Its a totally different experience, hearing about him in primary school, as I did (eg: He boarded The Love Boat with Dinosaurs, in search of Butter Chicken - turned up on the Dollar Bill) verses seeing the actual places he grew up and hearing of the circumstances he experienced and perspective he came from. It was genuinely humanising - and not only do I wish to head over to Whitby, now (I'm residing in Manchester at the moment, so its not QUITE so far) - I am really looking forward to Part II in your series. Awesome vid.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks so much for your comments mate. Glad you enjoyed it 👍🏼

[@richardmiller7887]

I am from NZ too. I look around at the other Pacifica islands and thank heavens for the legacy left by James Cook and those settlers who followed.

[@benyoung4305]

Why is it problematic? Are you talking from a modern gaze? Or about how his wife had to raise their children alone, her story being something amazing. James did an amazing job of surveying sites in Canada.

[@michaelhoggarth89]

Mrs B H .... My birth place and home town..At the age of 9 yrs old my school told the story of Captain James Cook .. We dressed a manikin in the uniform that he wore on his travels which was on display in the museum ( Not sure if it's still there ) Thank You for sharing his Story...Simply fantastic 👍

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks! 👍🏼

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

He was a distant relative of mine on my mother's time. I grew up in the village where his father was buried in St Germain's churchyard.

[@Nasphotography13]

Thank you for such a wonderful informative piece of local history, he is and will always be a local hero for us in the North East, please keep up the fantastic work, your style is relaxed but so watchable

[@niccoles33]

Great video ! I worked at the Capt. Cook Museum in Marton as a student when it first opened in the late 1970s. I accessioned many of the artefacts and worked alongside Cliff Thornton , the curator of the Dorman Museum in Middlesbrough at the time. Hailing from Marton myself, your videos bring back many childhood memories. Ironically I now live in Western Australia, and of course when I visited Melbourne several years ago, I had to go to see the Cook Cottage. Keep up the great work 😀!

[@laurasutcliffe4562]

Your video has been round my whole family - we live 2 miles from Captain’s Cook Monument and thought we knew quite a bit about him already, but after watching your video realised there was so much we didn’t know! Really enjoyed it- thank you.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Laura! Glad you enjoyed it. Sorry I’d not seen your comment until now.

[@frankhorsfield498]

Another fantastic video. I was born in Lancashire, live in Doncaster, but know and love "Captain Cook country" My walks have taken me to most of the locations in this film. Like all your other works, this really is brilliant. Thank you.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks a lot Frank! 👍🏼

[@diannehardwick950]

A lovely video Andrew. Thanks again for taking me back to a part of God’s Own County that I hold so dear.

[@katthompson3852]

Really excellent video. Growing up in Aus and visiting the cottage in Melbourne, to living in Rotherham for 8 years and visiting Whitby often, to now living in NZ for more than a decade... it is really reaffirming to appreciate Cpt J Cook on a level deserved rather from the ... twisted one taught here... thank you this was really cool and makes me feel homesick for Yorkshire.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Kat! 👍🏼🙂

[@bryan3550]

More great work, Andrew! Thank you for putting Captain Cook's Cottage here in Melbourne into context... It's role is never explained very well. Fantastic drone footage and great editing. Here's hoping you CAN pursue Cook around the globe... 😎

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Bryan! I was hoping you’d get to see it 👍🏼 hopefully others down there enjoy it too and get to see a bit more of where he was from than is usually shown.

[@welshmanjasonpatrick8607]

Very interesting story off captain James Cook i been museum Whitby good interesting thack you

[@chrisbolton5461]

This is a brilliant video. Well shot, researched and superbly presented. You deserve to be granted funding to create another ,taking in his later exploits.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers Chris!

[@debbiewalker312]

l went on endeavour years ago in Whitby beautiful old boat l hope me and my family return to Whitby again hopefully soon

[@thornwicktv]

One of your best videos. I couldnt stop watching it. Well done.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks mate!

[@stephengreen6338]

Absolutely fantastic, great story telling, great drone shots, great editing, just great, how you present these vids are truly professional, look forward to watching many more, I live just down the coast away, near Withernsea , I will be taking full advantage of visiting these same places, thanks again

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Stephen! Glad you enjoyed it. 👍🏼

[@briandobson9272]

brilliant i have learned so much from your video rags to riches, what a story.thank you.brian d.

[@martinvegas1327]

Marton in East Middlesbrough not Marton near Middlesbrough, the Cooks still live around the Grove in Marton Middlesbrough👍i'm from Middlesbrough mate thanks for the video❤️

[@rontanser9369]

Thank you that was very informative and it’s interesting to hear about his early life

[@hiker70]

Superb. I have lived worked in and around the area most of my life. Always admired James Cook and his achievements . An excellent video

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

Broadcast quality 👌👏👏👍😀 Outstanding content, beautifully filmed and narrated. Thank you.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks a lot Andrew! 👍🏼

[@royswift7911]

Excellent production in every way, better than anything you get on mainstream TV, thoroughly enjoyed it and looking forward to more. So far I haven't visited those locations from Captain Cook's early life, though five years ago I did get the opportunity to visit the monument at the site of his death at Kealakekua Bay in Hawaii. A beautiful spot which would provide a moving and fitting end to any future production if you do get to fulfil your ambition to continue Captain Cook's story. Again, many thanks for these great videos.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks a lot for that Roy! Glad you’re enjoying them 👍🏼

[@FlyFree2023]

Excellent content once again and looking forward to the next episode. Your research into your subject matter shows and long may it continue - thanks.

[@ericsimmons4962]

Exceptional video. As a Middlesbrough lad now living in western Canada, it arouses a lot of nostalgia. I'm very familiar with most of the locations you've shown and take pride in originating from the same area as James Cook. He did visit the area where I now live, and Vancouver is even named after one of his former officers, George Vancouver. I've even visited the site of his death in Hawaii, although, there, he's not seen in the same light as most Brits. Great video, well done! I look forward to any subsequent videos on this topic.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Eric! I didn’t know that about Vancouver. 👍🏼

[@christopherjordan4812]

Another brilliant video Andrew, informative fantastic drone shots and music that fits the filming.

[@diwarburton5369]

A remarkable video and a truly immersive experience. You have whetted my appetite to learn more and to follow in your footsteps. Thank you so much.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Di! 🙂

[@steverock4329]

Another fabulous video Andrew, thoroughly researched with interesting facts and good quality filmography, many thanks

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Steve!

[@mlowbridge2988]

Yet another top quality video,I think it’s the best yet,keep them coming

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Matthew! It was a fun one to shoot with the different locations.

[@TeddyWandererCamera-Bear]

This was very interesting thanks for sharing : ) Teddy

[@Surv1ve_Thrive]

Excellent work all round. A big thank you.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Nick!

[@dollyhare5186]

Love your videos and thank you for reminding me of all the lessons I learned at school!

[@mpersad]

One of my heroes of history! My wife and I took our children on holiday to N Yorkshire for many years and visiting Whitby was always a treat. We loved going to the Cook museum in the town. Beautifully filmed. Thank you.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers Mark.

[@DesigntowinLew]

Another fascinating vlog Andrew . Thank you .

[@harrycutts2045]

Great video and a lot that I didn't know about his early life. We all know what he would eventually achieve, but from humble beginnings that would make him the man he eventually became. Keep up the good work.

[@topgeardog07]

Great to see you filming in my hometown and local area, wonderful to see you highlighting a rarely documented part of the world

[@thebigcheese6606]

Wonderful story telling and visual treats.

[@hosscartwright5495]

Brilliant. Thank you 👍

[@ericgeorge5483]

That was top notch storytelling and the drone work and editing great! Love my home county and your footage portrays our stunning countryside perfectly. We are all justifiably proud of James Cook in these parts. Great work Andrew and I'm looking out for part 2!!!!

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks so much, Eric! Glad you enjoyed it 👍🏼

[@ericgeorge5483]

@@NorthYorkshireWanderer Yes, how long till part 2??

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

@@ericgeorge5483 it will involve a trip to Australia & New Zealand, as well as a few other places, so whenever I can afford to do it! 🤞🏼👍🏼

[@ericgeorge5483]

@@NorthYorkshireWanderer Best get saving coss we all want to see it!!

[@philipnewton6555]

Another excellent video, well researched well presented and great views. Keep it up.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers Philip. 👍🏼

[@sephirothff7ps164]

brill video andrew , learned alot about one of england,s finest heroes, looking forward to your continuation of the captain. all the best merry xmas mate, 👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers mate! Same to you. 👍🏼

[@stephenanderson4603]

Excellent video, thanks

[@raymondwheatley5618]

Excellent video thanks theres places ive not been to but will do now after watching this cheers

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers Raymond.

[@richardhunt7582]

Excellent film👍

[@1971382]

Brilliant video. Fantastically edited. Loved it. 👍🏼

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks! 👍🏼

[@JelenaScott]

Thank you! Very interesting!👍

[@stomperthemixer1]

awesome vlog Andy and a great insight to our history for our followers from around the globe

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers Neil. 👍🏼

[@pswatson66]

Another fantastic video !, love finding out about the various people and places . The video quality is always excellent very professional! Keep them coming 😊😊👍👍👍

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Paul!

[@noahjackson7693]

Amazing, thank you for these videos.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers Noah!

[@g1fsh]

Super video very well told story. Thank u that was really interesting Andy.

[@peteressextrucker8014]

Thank you again for another amazing film , really enjoyable to watch ! I not only feel I want to visit and experience the area for myself, but l feel I have learnt a lot too . I can honestly say I think your films are better than anything available on tv , please keep up the good work 😊

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Massive thanks, Peter! Should be a couple more this month 👍🏼

[@mickambler3151]

Fantastic video m8 thank you

[@paulbaker8003]

Your videos would make a great TV program! Great filming and very interesting 👏🏻👏🏻

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Paul! 👍🏼

[@barbaraprest783]

Very enjoyable thank you 😊

[@dougiebarber8349]

Another fascinating video Andrew

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers Dougie 👍🏼

[@matthewharty6531]

Loved it

[@claireol]

Really enjoy all your videos, brilliantly done. Can feel a Captain Cook tour coming on 😁

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Yes, I’m up for that! Let’s get the coach booked! 😁

[@jeffallinson8089]

Great video but Cook wasn't from Boro at all, Marton was his birth place and Middlesborough was just a hamlet back then and even in 1829 had just 40 inhabitants 50 years after Cook's death. Enough of my rambling though and to say I enjoyed this wonderful video is an understatement. The footage is stunning and your story telling first class. As a proud North Yorkshireman it was a joy to watch this and you have showcased our area to perfection. Great work Andrew, thank you very much and I keep my fingers crossed for a follow up! Take care and have a fabulous Christmas.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks as always Jeff! Have a good Christmas mate.

[@KeithGordon]

We can't better Stephen Green's comment. Really professional quality. Truly wonderful film making and story telling. We always enjoy your videos and look forward to the next. Thank you so much for all the work and time that you put in.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks a lot Keith! Really glad you enjoyed it! 👍🏼

[@zolfodor4835]

Brilliant as always mate. 👍👍

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Zol! 👍🏼

[@rebeccabrookes6086]

Amazing video, you have put so much work into this, so professional, feels just like your watching a documentary on TV. Have been to most places but not the village where the cottage used to be, might have a trip there and look round one day. As always look forward to the next one.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks so much Rebecca! Glad you’re enjoying them.

[@MatthewRSimpson]

Really enjoyed this video from my local area (born Thornaby, live Boro). COOK married a girl who's surname was Simpson (I wonder if i am related). Disappointed to not see part 2 as its long over due.

[@rachelwalker7091]

Great video, thanks. Educational and beautiful filming of wonderful scenery. Whitby is one of my favourite places. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit the place where Captain Cook died in Hawaii, hope you get to visit it too one day Andrew.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thank you Rachel! I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii so that would be as good a reason as any!

[@shaunpbass8351]

You're on to a winner with this video👍 I live in one the places visited and I think you've done a cracking job with this video...keep up the good work 🎸👍👍

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Shaun!

[@amberdy12]

Brilliant

[@macjim]

A high-quality production value video... A nice well paced naration and story telling. Looking forward to the next one. Should be on the tv... You could get Netflix interested in showing your work.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks as always Jim! 👍🏼 Aye, I’d be happy to let them help pay for part 2 😉

[@tamara3984]

Great video. You were really lucky with the weather. I defo have to go an visit

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Tamara!

[@tonynewton3800]

Brilliant 👍

[@naughtystudios]

Another Fascinating Video. We live in York and it would be lovely if the local schools taught local history like this to the kids rather than the useless stuff they get taught instead. Awesome Editing Andrew. Must have took Hours and Hours to put together, let alone finding out all the History. Thankyou

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thank you!! Yes, a few late nights but I enjoy it 👍🏼

[@mattbrew7429]

Thanks

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks so much Matt! Massively appreciated!!

[@matthewcox8929]

Just caught up on this one fantastic stuff!

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers mate! 👍🏼

[@oldsynner]

That was great -- excellent production values and presentation of the story based on evidence. The drone footage was great! I recently read Rob Mundle's book, "Cook", and would recommend it to anyone wanting to read more. I'm from the Boro, so am familiar with most of these locations and grew up on the story of the greatest navigator in history. I wonder if you know what happened to the model of the Endeavour that used to be in the Cleveland Centre?

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks! I believe it’s in storage somewhere. Would be nice to see it in the town again but not sure where it would go now.

[@arthurerickson5162]

Great video! I hope to be spending some quality time (COVID permitting) in the UK next autumn, with a good chunk of it in Yorkshire. A pint at the Endeavor followed by some F&C is going on my to-do list. Looking forward to the next installment!

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thanks Arthur. Enjoy your visit! 👍🏼

[@brianconway5747]

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers Brian. You too 👍🏼

[@helenblackburn6162]

I have really enjoyed this video. It brought back happy memories of this Summer when I visited Staithes. I intend to go back next year because I missed the area where the bridge it. Would you consider doing a video about the Bridlington, Sewerby, Flamborough area? I created a Facebook called Bridlington The Good Old Days with over 10k members and would promote the video within it and then people can then watch all the rest of your videos.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

I’m planning to stick to North Yorkshire, however I love Sewerby Hall so I may get down that way at some point. 👍🏼

[@dcallan812]

Great video.👍👍 it deserves lots of veiws. Did you stop off at Suggitt's for an ice cream? Again well done this video. it's great

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Thank you! No time for an ice cream on the day I was filming but I’ll be back! 👍🏼

[@dcallan812]

@@NorthYorkshireWanderer 🍨❤👍

[@sewahsewah]

👍👍👍

[@barbaralamson7450]

👍

[@NeilAtkinson-sw6mx]

As an Australian of convict descent I found this really interesting. As a child of the 60's we were tought much of this history at school but sadly the woke community has tried to portray James Cook as something else. I look forward to seeing more of this real history.

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

Cheers Neil. Yes, one of the reasons I made the video 👍🏼

[@hugocampbell9209]

When’s part 2 coming?

[@NorthYorkshireWanderer]

I’d like to do it soon, but it won’t be cheap. And as this video hasn’t done too well, it may have to be a while yet.

[@Khatoon170]

How are you doing mater Andrew iam new subscriber Arabic lady citizen thank you for your cultural documentary channel about your homeland Yorkshire we are as foreigners subscribers as overseas students want to increase our cultural level improve our English language as well i gathered main information about famous figure you mentioned briefly here it’s captian James cook born in year1728 died in 1779 he was British explorer navigator cartographer and caption Royal Navy famous for his three voyages between years 1768 and 1779 in Pacific Ocean and Australia he made maps of new founded prior to make three voyages to Pacific during whales he achieved contact with eastern coastline of Australia and Hawaiian island first record cirumavigation of New Zealand legacy ethnographic collection Australian museum included cook collection in year 1894 from government of South Wales which contained 1115 artifacts from cook three voyages

[@adam9154]

Good job calling it Stewart Park and not "Stewart's Park" like most locals do.

[@Khatoon170]

Last part of my research and also state library of New South Wales there documents referred to caption cook statue of James cook hyde park Sydney his tragic death Hawaiians greeted cook and his men by hurling rocks they stole small cutter vessels from discovery negotiations with king kalanipouu for return of cutter collapsed after lesser Hawaiian chief was shot to dead mob of Hawaiian. Descended on cook party caption and his men fitted on Hawaiian soon overwhelmed few managed to escape to safety of resolution caption cook himself killed by mob after few days English men retained by firing their cannons and muskets at shore killing 30 Hawaiians resolution and discovery returned to England iam so sorry to be little long but reading and writing both are great ways to improve our English language as none native speakers merry Christmas happy new year iwish for your channel more success and progress stay safe blessed good luck to you your dearest ones