Quex Gardens

The gardens at Quex were originally laid out in the fifteenth century when the first manor house was built but was extensively remodelled throughout the nineteenth century so that the present design contains strong Regency, Victorian and Edwardian influences.

The gardens were designed to be viewed from the main withdrawing room on the first floor of the house, from where lawns radiate around a central vista ending in the far distance with the Gun Tower, one of three follies in the grounds. The established parkland contains numerous ornamental specimen trees and a sunken fountain garden. This feature was once a formal Italianate garden but now the formal borders and paths, ponds and statues have been re-established.

On the upper terraces of the lawn, there are some fine specimen trees, including two venerable King James Mulberries and an ancient Sophora Japonica. A vibrant Edwardian herbaceous border can be found against the south wall of the kitchen garden. A more recent introduction is a rose border, established with the help of David Austin Roses, which contains a collection of old roses and some new introductions.

Hidden behind the high, old brick walls of the herbaceous border is an exceptional example of a Victorian walled garden, which had later commercial use as a market garden. Over time the glasshouses have undergone careful restoration. The main glasshouses are the next areas to undergo extensive repair once funding has been secured. Collections of tender exotics,
fruit trees, cacti, succulents & pelargoniums are found within. Work is ongoing to preserve the glasshouse structures and to raise heritage fruit and vegetable varieties.

Surrounding the gardens is a woodland walk, with a good show of spring bulbs and planted beds, contrasting with the more formal pleasure grounds of the mansion.

From 1883 James Cornford was Head Gardener at Quex and by 1902 about twenty gardeners were employed. Today we have a small team of employed gardeners who work with many volunteer groups. Recently we received a generous grant from the AIM (Association of Independent Museums) Connected Communities fund which will enable us to take significant strides in fostering high-quality volunteering opportunities, community engagement, and social connectivity, with a specific focus on individuals with learning disabilities and/or mental health challenges. If you know someone who might benefit from this opportunity, please find out more here: Sunshine Project

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Garden photograph with a glass house in the back round and some green shrubs and plants. Three wheelbarrows in the front of the photograph are full to the brim with various pumpkins and squash varieties. There are four people in the photograph. One white Male is sitting on a brown bench, with white hair, white beard, glasses and a light tan coat. The second white man is sitting on a green bench and has grey hair, grey beard and moustache, dark coloured t-shirt and a red walking aid next to him. A third white male, sitting on a green chair, is white with light brown hair, wearing a dark blue jacket, looking down at a grey pumpkin on his lap. Just in front of him is a silver metal trolley with more pumpkins on, white dish bowl and black crate. In the front of the picture is a white female standing, with red short hair, wearing a black fleece, jeans and black trainers. She is holding a green crate. The flooring is concrete with a pink flower in the bottom right of the photograph.

The Sunshine Project

Our community outreach project providing vulnerable adults with meaningful volunteering opportunities.

A white male with dark hair and facial hair holding a small baby. Along side him, a white female with brown long hair, and finally a white female with short brown hair. All are facing a large glass diorama containing African animals and naturalistic scenery.

Plan a visit

All the information you need to help you plan your day out with us.

View of a large primate diorama all placed in a tree and rockery area.

Permanent Exhibitions

Discover the permanent exhibitions in the museum.