View of Quex House house with a row of cannons in front of a green canopy.

Welcome to the Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House and Gardens

Famous for our natural history dioramas, featuring animals from tiny tortoises to enormous elephants, you’ll be amazed at what we have on display. Find us in Birchington, just a stone’s throw from the popular seaside town of Margate.

Our main season begins on Saturday 15th February with regular open days on Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 31st October. Check our What’s On page for the latest events and activities. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Plan your visit

Find Out More

This is an exciting time for the Museum, Quex House and Gardens and we’ve got a lot to share with you. From restoration projects to new learning content and initiatives, follow the links to connect with us.

Wheels of Time - Kent

Collect your Wheels of Time badge from us!

We are thrilled to be a new participating member of the Wheels of Time Kent badge collecting scheme. Collect a badge on your next visit!

Everything is happening, all at once, and all of the time!

Our Head of Collections Madylene Beardmore reflects on her first year at the Powell-Cotton Museum for the March/April issue of Museum Journal.

Powell-Cotton Museum Gallery 2

Our roof replacement Part 6

The enabling works for phase 2 of our roof replacement project are now underway. Here's what you can expect...

Discover our collections

Explore the map to discover just some of the objects in our collection and where they are from. 

Do you have a passion for plants, nature and sharing skills with others?
 
We’re on the lookout for an Assistant Gardener to help care for, develop and enhance our historic gardens.

In this role, you'll be involved in a range of practical horticultural tasks to develop, enhance and conserve the garden, contributing to the long-term garden development plan including design, restoration and promotion. You'll also play a key part in ensuring that Quex Gardens are maintained to a high standard. 

Working together with your colleagues, you will help create and run training sessions and activities for volunteers in the garden providing a diverse group of people with opportunities to learn new skills and take part in garden activities.

Deadline to apply: Sunday 1st June 2025

More details on the role and how to apply at the link in our bio 🔗

 #GardeningJobs #MuseumJobs #KentJobs #Horticulture #QuexGardens #JobOpportunity #GardenLife #CommunityGardens

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New in the gift shop - our kids’ gardening gifts are fun, practical and full of colour! 

Think mini tool belts, gloves, seed pots to grow vegetables and summer flowers, and bird feeder balls. They're a great way to get little ones outdoors and learning about nature. 💚🪴🌼

#PowellCottonMuseum #QuexGardens #Gardening #LittleGardeners #KidsInTheGarden #NaturePlay

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Come for the natural history, stay for the feathers 🦚

Our resident peacock Pinfold is strutting into spring with a full fan of fabulous feathers! 

Come and meet our marvellous peacock, explore the museum and gardens and enjoy a day out filled with nature and history this Easter. 

We're open Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday, 11am-4pm.

#SpringExplorers #NaturalHistory #QuexHouse #QuexGardens #PowellCottonMuseum #MuseumGardens #VisitKent #VisitThanet #EasterWeekend

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Gorgeous blossoms are blooming in the gardens. 

With the season only lasting a few weeks, now is the best time to take a blossom break and enjoy this stunning annual show!

The museum, house and gardens are open from 11am - 4pm.

 #QuexGardens #BlossomWatch #SpringInBloom #GardenVisit #WoodlandWalk

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