Powell-Cotton Museum

The Powell-Cotton Museum sits nestled on the grounds of Quex Park, adjoining the magnificent Quex House, a Georgian manor rich in history. It houses the personal collections amassed by explorer and naturalist Major Percy Powell-Cotton, alongside items collected by his daughters Antoinette and Diana. The museum showcases natural history specimens, including over 6,500 mammal examples, many displayed in historic habitat dioramas, as well as thousands of ethnographic objects from across Africa and Asia and significant archaeological finds from the Thanet coastline.

The museum’s origins stretch back to 1896, when Major Percy Powell-Cotton began displaying his growing collection in a pavilion in the gardens of Quex House. Through decades of exploration on around thirty expeditions across Africa and Asia, Powell-Cotton gathered specimens and cultural artifacts that he believed would educate and inspire others. In recent years, the museum has also focused on inclusive storytelling and updated interpretation to more sensitively reflect global cultures and histories. Visitors to the Powell-Cotton Museum can enjoy a rich and immersive experience that blends natural history, world cultures and heritage in one remarkable setting. The museum features nine galleries filled with historic wildlife dioramas, ethnographic collections from Africa and Asia, and significant archaeological finds from the Kent coastline, offering an educational journey that appeals to all ages.

Family-friendly activities, seasonal events, handling collections and explorer trails make the museum especially engaging for children, while researchers and enthusiasts value the depth and uniqueness of the collections. With an onsite café, gift shop, accessible facilities and free parking, the museum is designed for a comfortable and unhurried visit. What truly sets the Powell-Cotton Museum apart is its ability to transport visitors across continents and eras within a single visit, combining learning, reflection and discovery in a beautiful historic estate, making it an unforgettable destination for families, culture lovers and curious minds alike.

Whether you’re interested in wildlife, global cultures, local history or simply a memorable family day out, the Powell-Cotton Museum delivers a compelling and enriching experience for visitors of all ages. Guided tours of the adjoining Quex House provide insight into the lives of the Powell-Cotton family, while the surrounding seven acres of landscaped gardens invite visitors to explore woodlands, lawns and Victorian planting at a relaxed pace.

My family and I absolutely love this place. The museum is nicely laid out, and at the end is great interactive area for kids of all ages.

enquiries@powell-cottonmuseum.org

01843842168

The Powell-Cotton Museum Quex Park, Birchington-on-Sea, Kent CT7 0BH