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
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Bike storage facilities
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Easily accessible without car
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Facilities for children
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Free parking
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Good journey mark
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Mostly wheelchair accessible
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Picnic area
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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 visitors from Saturday, 14 February to Sunday, 1 November 2026. The opening times vary depending on the season:
- 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.
Additionally, the venue is open on bank holiday Mondays from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Please note that opening times may vary on event days.
Tickets include access to the museum, Quex House, and Gardens, and allow re-entry for the entire day. Guided tours of Quex House are available, but entrance to the house is by guided tour only, with tour times published on the day of the visit.
Membership options are available, providing year-round access during the open season and on out-of-season open days. Membership also includes discounts at the Museum Shop, Felicity’s Cafe, and third-party events hosted at the venue.
Group visits can be arranged, including private tours on closed days and self-guided visits during open days. Additional charges apply for optional extras such as guided tours by the Head Gardener or Curator.
Special events and activities are held throughout the year, some of which may incur additional charges. Upcoming events include creative workshops, educational days, and seasonal trails.
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
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