Quex House and Gardens, home of The Powell-Cotton Museum
A house and museum reflective of the diverse interests of John Powell Powell and his family.
Quex Park, Birchington, Kent, CT7 0BH
Facilities
-
Accessible loos
-
Accessible parking
-
Bike storage facilities
-
Easily accessible without car
-
Facilities for children
-
Free parking
-
Good journey mark
-
Mostly wheelchair accessible
-
Picnic area
-
Shop
A full accessibility guide can be accessed here.
The publicly accessible rooms of Quex House are home to some beautiful collections and stories of both heritage and modern-day use for visitors to discover.
There has been a manor house at Quex since 1449, at that time owned by John Quekes. The house we see today is located in a different area of the property and is a fairly modern renovation of the 1816 design by Thomas Hardwick (commissioned by John Powell). The Powell-Cottons continued renovations to make Quex House a comfortable family home.
Percy Powell-Cotton was the founder of the adjacent museum that visitors can enjoy today. The museum is notable for housing a world-renowned collection of taxidermy, displayed in unique dioramas. The collection also includes material culture objects from the African and Asian Continents and is undergoing a careful program of redisplay as we work with community partners to research and re-interpret each object.
Visitors can also view collections relating to the trips of two of Powell-Cottons daughters, Diana and Tony. Of particular note to local people is the story of Tony’s career as a coastal archaeologist, vitally tellingthe story of occupation along the coast at Minnis Bay since the broze age.
Quex Gardens offers visitors a relaxing moment in the heart of Quex Park. See the seasons change across the sweeping lawns, Victorian Walled Gardens, and woodland trail. Each visit brings new colours and scents, making the gardens worth returning to again and again.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
The Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House, and Gardens are open to the public during the 2026 season from Saturday, 14 February to Sunday, 1 November. The opening times vary depending on the time of year and specific days:
- Term Time: Open Friday to Sunday and on bank holidays from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- School Holidays: Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Bank Holidays: Open on Monday from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Closed: Tuesdays and certain Mondays outside of bank holidays.
Additional opening times may be scheduled for winter events, and opening times may vary on event days. Visitors are encouraged to check for specific event-related changes.
Admission prices for the 2026 season are as follows:
- Museum, House & Gardens: Adults £9.00, Concessions £8.00, Children (4-16) £7.00.
- Gardens Only: Adults £7.50, Concessions £6.50, Children (4-16) £5.00.
Group visits are available on closed days (Monday to Thursday, excluding bank holidays) with private tours and optional extras such as guided tours by the Head Gardener or Curator. Group visit pricing starts at £12 per person for a 3-hour private visit, with a minimum charge of £180.
Special events include Family Hub Fridays, the Wheels of Time 2026 Launch Event, and the Teachers’ Twilight Event, among others. Wedding bookings may also affect the availability of house tours on specific dates.
Tickets include re-entry for the entire day and access to the museum, house, and gardens. Membership options are available for frequent visitors.
Historic House members, please show your membership card on arrival to take advantage of free entry. If you would like to join any special events or activities, a small charge may apply.
Adult: £9
Concession: £8
Child (5-17 yrs): £7
Infant (0-4 yrs): Free
Historic Houses members: Free. Please present your membership card on arrival. May not be accepted on some special events, or a small additional activity charge may apply.
A full accessibility guide can be accessed here.
Getting here
Quex Park, Birchington, Kent, CT7 0BH
You can get to us by car, bus and train and taxi.
There are no buses passing Quex Park. The walk from Birchington village is level and there are no hills or slopes. The bus stop is 0.7 miles / 1.1 km from Powell-Cotton Museum, House and Gardens.
The nearest train station is Birchington-on-Sea. The train station is 1 miles / 1.6 km from Powell-Cotton Museum, House and Gardens.
You can get a taxi with Central Cars who offer an accessible taxi service. Please call in advance by calling (01843) 88 88 88. They have a wheelchair accessible vehicle on request.
Address: The Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House and Gardens, Quex Park, Birchington, Kent, CT7 0BH
What 3 words: ///lotteries.pass.trailers
Become a Historic Houses member
Explore the nation’s heritage from just £71 per year.
Hundreds of the most beautiful historic houses, castles, and gardens across Britain offer our members free entry.
Also: receive a quarterly magazine, enjoy monthly online lectures, get exclusive invitations to buy tickets for behind-the-scenes tours, and take up a range of special offers on holidays, books, and other products you might like.
