Quex House, Gardens and Powell-Cotton Museum
Birchington, East Kent
Image: Quex House & GardensQuex Park near Birchington combines a Victorian family house, working gardens and the Powell-Cotton Museum, known for its huge natural history dioramas and collections from Africa and Asia. Free guided tours run through the museum and house. It makes a varied half day on the Thanet coast, with enough indoors for a grey day.
Highlights
- Eight museum galleries including large wildlife dioramas
- Guided tours of Quex House
- Victorian walled and working gardens
- Day tickets with re-entry
Good to know
- Opening hours can change on event days
- Christmas opening runs at weekends from 21 November
Getting there
Quex House, Gardens and Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex Park, Birchington, Kent, CT7 0BH
Get directionsChecked on 15 October 2026 against powell-cottonmuseum.org, powell-cottonmuseum.org. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check
Nearby
The Jungle at Quex
The Jungle at Quex Park in Birchington is a soft play centre for young children, with a main play frame, a toddler frame and a baby area for under 1s. It is also a busy party venue with themed rooms and spaces for groups of up to 125. It suits families with little ones, especially on a rainy day.
Image: Visit ThanetWest Bay
West Bay is a sandy, completely tidal bay in Westgate-on-Sea, ideal for sandcastles and rock pooling. A pub, café and beach shop sit along the promenade, and beach chalets can be hired for the day. It is a laid-back choice for families with young children.
Image: Visit ThanetMinnis Bay
Minnis Bay is a long sandy beach at Birchington with a paddling pool, play area and a restaurant and kiosk on the promenade. Families come for sandcastles and rock pools, while windsurfers and kitesurfers use the open water. Plan on an afternoon, and check the tides first.