Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House and Gardens

About the museum

The museum began in 1896 as a one-room collection in a pavilion in the gardens of Quex House, near Birchington in Kent. Its creator, Major Percy Powell-Cotton, was an explorer and hunter who brought back animal specimens and cultural objects from expeditions in Africa and Asia. He worked with a professional taxidermist to set the animals in naturalistic scenes, and some of these room-sized dioramas are among the oldest of their kind still on display in their original form.

After his death in 1940 his family added further galleries for archaeology, anthropology, ceramics and weapons, and the museum grew to its present nine galleries, which connect to the ground floor of Quex House. In 1926 a charitable trust was set up to run the museum, and the Powell-Cotton Trust marks its centenary in 2026 with a programme of events and projects.

Quex House is the home of the Powell-Cotton family over six generations. Visitors can see rooms such as the library, the armoury and the boudoir, which hold family books, portraits and furnishings. The house can only be visited on a guided tour included in the ticket.

The museum and house stand within the Quex Park estate, a landscape of about 250 acres. Visitors can walk in the historic gardens, which have lawns, a woodland walk, a walled kitchen garden and glasshouses.

Highlights

• Natural history dioramas, including a large African primate scene
• Himalayan mammal diorama in the original 1896 pavilion
• Collections of cultural objects from Africa and Asia
• Guided tours of Quex House with library, armoury and boudoir
• Historic gardens with walled kitchen garden and glasshouses
• Free guided gallery tours with admission

Permanent exhibitions

• Powell-Cotton Museum galleries – Natural history dioramas of African and Himalayan animals, together with cultural objects, archaeology and weapons from Africa and Asia.
• Quex House – Guided tours of the Powell-Cotton family home, including the library, armoury and boudoir.
• Quex Gardens – Heritage gardens with lawns, a woodland walk, a historic walled kitchen garden and glasshouses.

Founded

1896

Operated by

The Powell-Cotton Trust

Admission & discounts

The standard ticket covers the museum, Quex House and the gardens, with re-entry on the day. A voluntary £1 Gift Aid donation can be added. Annual membership is £35 for an adult (includes one child), £32 concession, and £8 for each additional child. Prices for 2026.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Step-free level access at the main entrance and in most areas, with a portable ramp to Quex House. A manual wheelchair is available and there is seating in the museum. The accessible toilet is in the main museum building and the car park has three marked disabled bays. Only assistance dogs are allowed, and water is provided. Staff are trained in disability and SEND awareness. A detailed access guide is available from AccessAble.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Fridays Family Hub is a play, story and creativity session for under-5s and their carers. Free backpack buddies are available for young visitors, and Home Education Days and hands-on learning spaces in the galleries and gardens are offered for children of all ages, including those with special educational needs.

Getting there & parking

The walk from Birchington village square is level. The museum is near National Cycle Route 15 and the Viking Coastal Trail, with bike stands at the front. Satnav postcode CT7 0BH.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Felicity's Cafe at the front of the museum (breakfast, lunch, desserts and afternoon tea; booking advised) and a gift shop that also sells ice cream and cold drinks. Free wifi throughout the museum and parts of the gardens, though the connection can be patchy. Picnics are welcome in the gardens but not inside the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit