Whitby Museum showcases Whitby’s weird and wonderful bits and pieces you must see to believe!
We encourage all visitors to Whitby to visit the Whitby Museum! Although small, it’s full of treasure and jam-packed with history. To give you a head start, here are intriguing items and exhibits you won’t want to miss during your visit. Here are interesting things you must see in Whitby Museum.
The Hand of Glory

We will begin with one of the museum’s more intriguing and dark curiosities!
FREE Whitby Mini-Guide
"Get the best from your stay in Whitby." - Everything you need to know about Whitby into a free mini-guide!
The Hand of Glory is an artefact steeped in folklore and criminal lore. This mummified severed hand, discovered in the early 20th century, was hidden inside the wall of a thatched cottage in Castleton. It was found by local historian and stonemason Joseph Ford.
Recognising it from various tales about such objects, he identified it as a ‘Hand of Glory.’ In 1935, it was donated to Whitby Museum. It is the only known surviving example of its kind.
The story of The Hand of Glory

The Hand of Glory was said to be the right hand of a criminal, preserved while still hanging from the gallows. It was believed that burglars used this hand to put people in a deep sleep.
In one version of the tale, the hand is clenched and serves as a candleholder for a candle made from human fat. In another variation, similar to the Whitby hand, the fingers of the outstretched hand are lit individually. Any finger failing to ignite indicates that someone in the household is still awake.
In both scenarios, the light from the hand cannot be extinguished by water or pinching; it can only be snuffed out with blood or ‘blue’ (skimmed) milk, as the stories traditionally describe.
Tales about using such hands have spread widely across Europe over the past four hundred years, reaching from Finland to Italy and western Ireland to Russia. In North Yorkshire, at least two notable stories emerged. One regarding the Spital Inn on Stainmore in 1797 and the other concerning the Oak Tree Inn in Leeming, said to have occurred in 1824.
This certainly is a dark and intriguing element of the museum’s collection!
Teleosaurus Chapmani Fossil

For dinosaur enthusiasts and palaeontology fans, the Teleosaurus Chapmani fossil is an incredible find!
In 1824, Whitby Museum acquired a fossil skeleton of the crocodile Teleosaurus Chapmani for £7. It is one of the museum’s earliest attractions. The skeleton was discovered by Brown Marshall, a local carpenter, who found the snout protruding from a cliff. He skillfully dangled from ropes anchored at the cliff to excavate the skull and much of the skeleton.

Three years later, a portion of the tail was taken off. With Rev Young’s guidance, Whitby Museum gained recognition for its vast fossil collection, particularly the marine reptiles. Today, many fossils are showcased on the museum’s walls, consistently captivating visitors.
This extinct marine reptile, a relative of the crocodile, lived during the Jurassic period. The fossil on display in Whitby Museum provides a glimpse into the ancient creatures that once filled the seas.
Matchstick Model of Captain Cook’s Endeavour

Created by artist Graham Leech, this astonishingly detailed matchstick model of Captain Cook’s Endeavour is a true masterpiece of craftsmanship. Every part of the ship is made using nothing but matchsticks.
Graham Leech spent countless hours meticulously crafting the model, which showcases the ship’s design as it sailed into history. Captain Cook’s connections to Whitby are strong. The town is where he trained as a young sailor, so this model is a fitting tribute to both the town’s maritime heritage and the famous explorer’s legacy.
Full-Size Replica of the Crow’s Nest

The Whitby Museum also boasts a full-size replica of a ship’s crow’s nest.
The Crow’s Nest, created by William Scoresby Senior and debuting in 1807, was an innovative structure crafted from wood and canvas. It featured a small trap door at the bottom for entry. Inside, it had racks for a telescope, a speaking trumpet, and signal flags.
This life-size model of the crow’s nest is built according to Captain Scoresby’s specifications. If you examine model ships closely, you’ll notice the tiny crow’s nest perched atop the main mast.
The master or mate often spent hours in the crow’s nest. They would scan the horizon for whales and guide the ship through icy waters.
Frank Meadow Sutcliffe: A Window Into Local History Through Photography

Frank Meadow Sutcliffe was one of Whitby’s most famous photographers. He is known for his images of local life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His photographs are a priceless record of Whitby’s people, landscapes, and maritime traditions.
The Whitby Museum holds a fascinating collection of Sutcliffe’s works, allowing visitors to see how the town and its people looked in an era gone by. His everyday life portraits and scenes offer a poignant insight into history. While not so long ago, they are fast becoming part of a distant memory.
Jet Collection

Whitby has long been known for its jet, a unique and beautiful gemstone formed from fossilised wood. Jet has been found in the region for centuries and it was used to create jewellery and ornaments, particularly during the Victorian era.
The Whitby Museum houses an extensive collection of jet items, ranging from stunning jewellery pieces to intricate carvings. Jet was famously popularised during Queen Victoria’s mourning period, but it has a much older history tied to the local geology.
The collection offers a glimpse into the town’s rich cultural heritage and the fascinating process of jet production.
Jet Chess Table

The two jet chess tables showcase some of the most exquisite craftsmanship. Historically, three jet chess boards were produced in Whitby, of which the Museum currently possesses two; the whereabouts of the third remains unknown.
Among these is a board designed and carved by John Sherwood, which was initiated in 1895 in celebration of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, although it took four years to finish. It was hailed as ‘the crowning triumph of the jet age – the most beautiful object of its kind ever made’.
This notable piece was purchased in 1996 from Mr. Robert Murfield in fond memory of his late wife, Martha Cox, whose father, William Cox, was among the last jet carvers in Whitby.
Fossil Collections

The fossil collection at Whitby Museum will not disappoint! Whitby is located in the heart of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its fossil finds.
The collection showcases various fossil materials, including vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, and trace fossils. Notably, the ammonites, nautiloids, belemnites, marine reptiles, fish, and plant specimens hold significant international scientific value, featuring over 200 ‘primary’ type specimens, including numerous holotypes—individual specimens recognised globally as representative of a specific species.
The most scientifically essential specimens are primarily found among the ammonites, nautiloids, belemnites, plants, and marine reptiles, mainly from Lower and Middle Jurassic strata.
The fossil collection is a must-see for anyone interested in Earth’s prehistoric past and the wonders that lie beneath the surface. Learn more about fossil hunting in Whitby here.
Nestled in the beautiful Pannett Park, visiting Whitby Museum is a great way to learn about the town’s fascinating history. Whether you’re drawn to the darker and magical side of Whitby’s history, like the Hand of Glory, or captivated by the region’s prehistoric past with its remarkable fossils, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Next time you’re in Whitby, be sure to set aside some time to explore Whitby Museum.
Related Posts