A Centenary Celebration in Quex Gardens
Join us for a special Garden Party in the beautiful Quex Gardens as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Powell-Cotton Trust.
2026 is the 100th anniversary of the Charitable Trust that runs the Powell-Cotton Museum, the publicly accessible rooms in Quex House, and Quex Gardens.
This Garden Party offers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate together with supporters, neighbours, and residents of Birchington and Acol. Supported by Birchington Parish Council, this relaxed Bank Holiday celebration on Monday 4 May will bring the community together for a day of entertainment, discovery and fun in the garden.
Visitors can enjoy a varied programme throughout the day, including:
- Explore archives charting the history of Quex Gardens
- Traditional garden games
- A selection of stalls
- Refreshments available
You’ll have the chance to meet a very special guest – Ellington the Elephant – an impressive life-size puppet, created by the Thanet-based theatre company Looping the Loop. Ellington will be roaming the gardens and delighting visitors of all ages.
Live music in the afternoon will be from local Ceilidh band, Rejigged, where visitors are invited to join in with traditional Barn Dances – a great opportunity to get involved.
Bring a picnic and enjoy all that Quex Gardens has to offer!
Free Entry for Local Residents!
Residents of Birchington and Acol can attend the PCT100 Quex Garden Party free of charge with a Golden Ticket, found in the April issue of Birchington Parish Council Magazine.
To help manage numbers on the day, please book your place in advance. You can book in three ways:
Online: Register your details via the link below.
By phone: Call 01843 842168
In person: Visit Powell-Cotton Museum reception on open days (Fri, Sat & Sun, 11am-4pm)
Please remember to save and bring your Golden Ticket with you on the day!
Event FAQs
Can I still attend if I'm not a resident of Birchington or Acol?
Yes, absolutely! Anyone can join us on the day with by purchasing a standard admission ticket for Monday 4th May. To be eligible for free entry you must be able to show you are resident of Birchington or Acol by bringing your copy of the Golden Ticket, found in Birchington Parish Council Community Magazine, and booking confirmation (printed or digital) or booking name.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, we encourage advance booking to help us manage visitor numbers, although tickets may be available on the day, subject to capacity.
Is the event suitable for families?
Yes. The Garden Party is designed to be enjoyable for visitors of all ages, with games, entertainment and plenty of space to explore.
What happens if it rains?
The event will go ahead in most weather conditions. Please dress appropriately for the outdoors.
Is the site accessible?
Quex Gardens are mostly level and accessible, but some garden paths may be uneven. Please contact us if you have specific accessibility questions.
Can I bring a picnic?
Yes, visitors are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in designated areas of the gardens. Felicity’s Cafe will be serving tea, coffee and cakes int he function room and there will be limited food on sale from our outdoor kitchen.
Are dogs allowed?
Only assistance dogs only are allowed in the museum, house and gardens.
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Set off on an egg-citing adventure around the museum and gardens this Easter and solve the mystery of the missing egg!
Quiz Night
Get your team together for another brilliant evening of trivia in Gallery 1!Create the
perfect day out
Whether you want to join a guided tour, explore the museum at your own pace, or just wander and see what you find, you can plan your day your way. Discover something new with each visit.
Create your perfect day out
Answer a few simple questions to plan your day out and get recommendations of things to see!
