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The Powell-Cotton Museum at Quex House

A house and museum reflective of the diverse interests of John Powell Powell and his family.

Quex Park, Birchington, Kent, CT7 0BH

Quex House in Kent

Experience this house

History

Free admission to members of Historic Houses when you show a valid membership card.
Free admission to members of Historic Houses when you show a valid membership card.
for the latest information.
Accessibility

Our accessibility statement is available here.

Our gardens have concrete pathways however tree roots have made them bumpy in places and moss can make them slippery. Please take care whilst walking in the gardens.

Backpacks with SEND-friendly tools to enhance visits are available to borrow during your visit. We also use PEC communication in the form of trails which can enhance a visit for non-verbal visitors.

Does our information need updating?
Let us know here

The builder of Quex House, John Powell Powell, was an avid collector of all things naval. This included ship furniture, such as figureheads, personal items from Napoleon taken from the battle of Waterloo, and a large collection of naval cannon, which can now be seen outside the front of Quex House.

In the 1890s Percy Powell-Cotton made several visits to Kashmir, India, and on inheriting Quex House in 1892, used his experience to redesign the ballroom into the new ‘Oriental Drawing Room’.

In 1898 he instructed a wood carver in Srinagar, Kashmir, to build wood panelling for his home in Birchington, which he had shipped back home and fitted himself. He then filled the room with treasures old and new, showing influences from India, China, Japan and Burma. Whilst this ‘Oriental’ style was very popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, few examples survive in domestic settings today, making the Oriental Room at Quex rather special.

for the latest information.
Accessibility

Our accessibility statement is available here.

Our gardens have concrete pathways however tree roots have made them bumpy in places and moss can make them slippery. Please take care whilst walking in the gardens.

Backpacks with SEND-friendly tools to enhance visits are available to borrow during your visit. We also use PEC communication in the form of trails which can enhance a visit for non-verbal visitors.

Does our information need updating?
Let us know here