Captain Cook’s training as a seaman began in Whitby. He was born on 27 October 1728 at Marton-in-Cleveland. His father, originally from Scotland, was also called James and married Grace Pace from Cleveland.

They had eight children, though several died young.  When James was still a child, his father moved to Great Ayton, a few miles away near the Cleveland Hills, and became the foreman at Aireyholme Farm.

A monument built at Easby moor to honour his Yorkshire roots provides a panoramic view of the Moor land all the way over to the coast.