Meet the remarkable mechanism at Staithes Museum that celebrates John Harrison’s quest to solve one of the great challenges of seafaring: how do you know exactly where you are when all you can see is sea? There is something wonderfully satisfying about the Devon Sea Clock at Staithes Museum. With its brass gears, swinging arms, intricate framework and three separate dials, it looks as though somebody has taken a clock apart and then decided to leave all the interesting bits o

If you’re new to Staithes, it can sometimes feel as though every cobbled street, old building, brick and bend in the Beck has a story to tell. And, frankly, it does! Staithes has a remarkably rich history for such a small village. For centuries, its people made their living from the sea, the cliffs and the land around them. Fishermen ventured out into the North Sea, miners worked the cliffs for alum, jet and ironstone, artists arrived with their easels, and generations of loc

Walk around a museum and you'll find thousands of objects. A fishing hook. A pair of clogs. A sailor's compass. A child's toy. A faded photograph. Each one has a story, but museums don't always know every part of it. Who held it last?What was happening on the day it was used?What hopes did it carry? What arguments did it overhear? What adventures did it survive? Sometimes history leaves us facts. Sometimes it leaves us questions. Poetry has a wonderful way of filling the spac

For over a century after 1720, the village of Staithes was a major hub for the "Free Trade" - better known as smuggling. While official industries like fishing and ironstone production were important, smuggling formed a vital "hidden economy" that supplemented the income of almost every resident. The unique architecture of the town, with its labyrinthine network of passages, attic hatches, and hidden cellars, made it the perfect haunt for evading the law. Smuggling was a true

This February half term, we set ourselves a simple but meaningful challenge: how can we help people see Staithes not just as a picturesque seaside village, but as a place layered with stories — stories that live in its cottages, ginnels, harbour walls, and in the objects carefully preserved in the museum? This project was designed to connect local people with local history in a fresh and accessible way. By sharing selected objects from the museum’s collection alongside their

Staithes Museum is a small, independent museum rooted in the history of a North Yorkshire fishing village – but what we offer for learning is surprisingly broad. Our collections, archives and stories span hundreds of years and touch on themes that work across history, geography, science, art, literacy and citizenship. This page is designed as a practical guide for teachers and educators. It explains what’s in our collection, what we’ve done before, and – most importantly – ho

We were delighted to welcome Nicola Chalton and the team from 3-Minute Arts CIC to Staithes Museum recently, as part of their Moors & Coast creative writing series. The group spent time exploring our archive collections, gathering inspiration from the photographs, letters, and local histories that bring Staithes’ story to life. Local historian Bill Hinchley also generously offered to provide a walking tour of the village - exploring the atmosphere and history of the villave.

Hello everyone!I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve just begun a Level 7 Curator Apprenticeship through Teesside University. This is a...

We’re really pleased to share two new resources to help make visiting Staithes Museum easier and more welcoming for everyone. Whether it’s your first time visiting, or you’re returning with young children, a pushchair, mobility aid, or sensory needs — we know that feeling prepared makes all the difference. That’s why we’ve created: 📝 What to Expect – Staithes Museum A page from the "What to Expect" document This is a clear, step-by-step guide that tells you everything you ne

Our social media post promoting the competition This May half-term, Staithes Museum invites young visitors to step into the shoes of one...

Staithes Museum's replica of the Harrison Clock At Staithes Museum, we often think of Captain Cook’s voyages as the height of 18th-century maritime exploration — voyages that depended not only on courage and seamanship but also on advances in navigation. Among the most pressing questions of the age was how to find a ship’s longitude at sea — a problem so difficult it spawned a royal reward and centuries of effort. Most people have heard of John Harrison’s marine timekeepers.

This brief guide was originally written by Al Milnes from the gallery for our volunteers to help them share Staithes’ artistic history with visitors. However, it’s such a fascinating read that we wanted to make it available to everyone. We hope you enjoy learning more about the artists who have been inspired by Staithes over the years. Art in Staithes in the 19th and 20th Centuries: A Brief Guide The Weatherill Family: The first artist we know of painting in Staithes was Geor

At Staithes Museum, we believe that practical experience is one of the best ways for young people to learn and grow. That’s why we offer flexible work experience placements that allow students to immerse themselves in the day-to-day life of a working museum. Our placements are tailored to match each student’s interests and strengths, ensuring they gain useful skills and an unforgettable experience. We know that every young person’s goals and passions are different. To show ju