All of our schools’ workshops are adaptable for SEND learners. Please contact us to discuss your requirements so we can ensure that your students have a valuable visit tailored to their needs. We have answered some key questions below which may be useful for SEND learners. For details of the content of the school workshops available, general questions and answers and risk assessments, policy & resources, please visit our school visits page.

Accessibility Guide

Our accessibility statement is available here

Our gardens have concrete pathways however tree roots have made them bumpy in places and moss can make them slippery. Please take care whilst walking in the gardens. We have a full accessibility statement available

If you have a suggestion on how we can improve accessibility, please contact us enquiries@powell-cottonmuseum.org

Can I make a familiarisation visit to make a plan?

We are happy to welcome you to the museum to help you plan for your visit. Please get in touch and we will arrange a time and date.

Is there an accessible toilet?

Yes, we have one wheelchair accessible toilet available in the museum building. Dimensions and measurements are all available in our accessibility guide.

Is there a quiet space we can use?

Yes, please speak to your workshop leader who will show you where there is a quiet space available.

Can we access outdoor space easily?

We have extensive gardens to the rear of the museum building and you are welcome to break away from the rest of the group and access them at any time during your visit.

What else can we do?

What’s in the Box? We are excited to offer our new loan boxes to primary and secondary schools in the local area.  You may be interested in our box called Safari Stories.

We have kept this box as open as possible to create play and discovery at any age or level.  It is for everyone to have fun making stories about animals from across Africa.   The loans box contains soft toys, smell boxes, animal puzzles, animal sounds and rubbing blocks. We have included information about the animals and how they eat, their travel and their habitats. There are also suggested activities to get you started in your story journey, and how you might use some of the resources in the box for creative play and learning.

Curriculum Links: Science and Investigation; Life Processes & Living Things; Animals

Our Loans Box page is here

Talk to our Learning Team

Our Learning and Engagement Officers are passionate about making visits valuable for SEND audiences and regularly attend CPD courses, workshops and forums for all aspects of museum-based learning. When you contact our learning team you will talk to:

Emma-Jayne Hamlington, Learning and Engagement Officer 
Alison Day, Learning and Engagement Officer
Janice Le Corney, Learning and Engagement Officer

Emma-Jayne Hamlington

Learning and Engagement Officer

Powell-Cotton Museum Quex House and Gardens

Alison Day

Alison Day

Learning and Engagement Officer

Powell-Cotton Museum Quex House and Gardens

Janice Le Corney

Learning and Engagement Officer

Powell-Cotton Museum Quex House and Gardens

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE FAST APPROACHING! 

We seek a Gardens Community Engagement Officer to work in our beautiful and historic gardens, helping deliver engaging activities and enriching volunteering opportunities for vulnerable, disadvantaged and disabled people. 

If you love working with people and nature and want to make a real difference in your community, we would love to hear from you. Head to the website to find out more about this special opportunity. 

Applications close on Monday 27 November. 

#workinmuseums #museumskent #kentjobs #kentcommunityjobs #visiththanet #recruitmentthanet #museumcareers #learning #museumgardens #powellcottonmuseum

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE FAST APPROACHING!

We seek a Gardens Community Engagement Officer to work in our beautiful and historic gardens, helping deliver engaging activities and enriching volunteering opportunities for vulnerable, disadvantaged and disabled people.

If you love working with people and nature and want to make a real difference in your community, we would love to hear from you. Head to the website to find out more about this special opportunity.

Applications close on Monday 27 November.

#workinmuseums #museumskent #kentjobs #kentcommunityjobs #visiththanet #recruitmentthanet #museumcareers #learning #museumgardens #powellcottonmuseum
...

This weather has got us thinking about the changing seasons and snuggling up with a hot chocolate and a cosy evening read. 

Luckily, our museum shop is bursting with beautiful books just perfect to deliver this snuggly seasonal set up! 

Why not pop in for a browse on one of our 'Nocturnal' weekends in October? With seasonal trails, night vision experiences and owl displays you can entertain the family during half term, stock up on themed books and step into the season! 

Join us 21st, 22nd, 28th & 29th October between 11 am – 3 pm

#Learning 
#powellcottonmuseum 
#PowellCottonMuseum 
#VisitKent 
#visitthanet 
#Reimaginingthemuseum 
#autumnalreads 
#seasonalbooks
#autumn
#cosy

This weather has got us thinking about the changing seasons and snuggling up with a hot chocolate and a cosy evening read.

Luckily, our museum shop is bursting with beautiful books just perfect to deliver this snuggly seasonal set up!

Why not pop in for a browse on one of our `Nocturnal` weekends in October? With seasonal trails, night vision experiences and owl displays you can entertain the family during half term, stock up on themed books and step into the season!

Join us 21st, 22nd, 28th & 29th October between 11 am – 3 pm

#Learning
#powellcottonmuseum
#PowellCottonMuseum
#VisitKent
#visitthanet
#Reimaginingthemuseum
#autumnalreads
#seasonalbooks
#autumn
#cosy
...

Our Fun with Fungi Workshop is now Booking! 

Spend the day with us on Saturday 14th October, and: 

* Learn tips and tricks to identify mushroom & toadstool varieties 

* Tour our stunning gardens 

* Make beautiful spore prints

* Participate in a Growing Workshop 

* Take home your own growing project!

Saturday 14th October -  11 am -3 pm. We are looking forward to seeing you there - so much fun to be had with fungi! 

#powellcottonmuseum
#VisitKent
#Learning 
#VisitKent 
#funwithfungi 
#fungi 
#fungifun 
#kentmuseums 
#thingstodokent

Our Fun with Fungi Workshop is now Booking! 

Spend the day with us on Saturday 14th October, and: 

* Learn tips and tricks to identify mushroom & toadstool varieties 

* Tour our stunning gardens 

* Make beautiful spore prints

* Participate in a Growing Workshop 

* Take home your own growing project!

Saturday 14th October -  11 am -3 pm. We are looking forward to seeing you there - so much fun to be had with fungi! 

#powellcottonmuseum
#VisitKent
#Learning
#VisitKent
#funwithfungi
#fungi
#fungifun
#kentmuseums
#thingstodokent
...

Throughout September, we have a series of talks and tours as part of exciting #HeritageMonth activities taking you #BehindTheScenes of the Museum to celebrate both our past and our present. 

Check out the list of what is on offer below...

Behind the Scenes: Treasures of the Libraries - TUESDAY 12 SEPTEMBER
Join our Archivist, Hazel as she takes you on a journey of the most treasured books in our collections spanning generations of the Powell and Cotton family and relatives

Special Interest - Researching the Kashmir Diorama - FRIDAY 15 SEPTEMBER
Join Fenja Schultz BSc to explore the methods we use to reconstruct the history of our collection. Uncover the routes Percy Powell-Cotton and his expedition team took through Kashmir and find out what it took to create our very first diorama.

Hidden Histories: VAD Hospital 1914-1919 - WEDNESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER
The VAD hospital treated over 1600 patients from Belgium, Britain, Canada and Australia. In this fascinating talk, hear how local people volunteered to help care for the men and learn some of the surprising activities that they enjoyed.

Behind the Scenes: Archives - TUESDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 
Join Hazel, our Archivist, as she shares a special selection of correspondence, photographs, field notes and other unique documents along with her unique and expert insight. 

Hidden Histories: An illustrated talk on the Heritage of Minnis Bay, formerly Gore End - THURSDAY 28 SEPTEMBER
During this fascinating talk, you will discover how the community of Minnis Bay, formerly Gore End, was affected by the tide, storm, and erosion of the cliffs over 3000 years ago.

For more information, prices and booking, head to the website. 

#Learning #PowellCottonMuseum #VisitKent #VisitThanet #ReimaginingTheMuseum #thingstodokent #heritageopendays #heritagemonth

Throughout September, we have a series of talks and tours as part of exciting #HeritageMonth activities taking you #BehindTheScenes of the Museum to celebrate both our past and our present.

Check out the list of what is on offer below...

Behind the Scenes: Treasures of the Libraries - TUESDAY 12 SEPTEMBER
Join our Archivist, Hazel as she takes you on a journey of the most treasured books in our collections spanning generations of the Powell and Cotton family and relatives

Special Interest - Researching the Kashmir Diorama - FRIDAY 15 SEPTEMBER
Join Fenja Schultz BSc to explore the methods we use to reconstruct the history of our collection. Uncover the routes Percy Powell-Cotton and his expedition team took through Kashmir and find out what it took to create our very first diorama.

Hidden Histories: VAD Hospital 1914-1919 - WEDNESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER
The VAD hospital treated over 1600 patients from Belgium, Britain, Canada and Australia. In this fascinating talk, hear how local people volunteered to help care for the men and learn some of the surprising activities that they enjoyed.

Behind the Scenes: Archives - TUESDAY 26 SEPTEMBER
Join Hazel, our Archivist, as she shares a special selection of correspondence, photographs, field notes and other unique documents along with her unique and expert insight.

Hidden Histories: An illustrated talk on the Heritage of Minnis Bay, formerly Gore End - THURSDAY 28 SEPTEMBER
During this fascinating talk, you will discover how the community of Minnis Bay, formerly Gore End, was affected by the tide, storm, and erosion of the cliffs over 3000 years ago.

For more information, prices and booking, head to the website.

#Learning #PowellCottonMuseum #VisitKent #VisitThanet #ReimaginingTheMuseum #thingstodokent #heritageopendays #heritagemonth
...

Looking ahead to an exciting September! 

@heritageopendays 
#HeritageMonth
#HeritageOpenDays 
#PowellCottonMuseum 
#ReimaginingTheMuseum 
#VisitKent 
#VisitThanet 
#Learning 
#thingstodokentkids 
#kentmuseums

Looking ahead to an exciting September!

@heritageopendays
#HeritageMonth
#HeritageOpenDays
#PowellCottonMuseum
#ReimaginingTheMuseum
#VisitKent
#VisitThanet
#Learning
#thingstodokentkids
#kentmuseums
...

Have you heard of a thaumatrope? 

Well, a thaumatrope is an optical toy that was popular in the 19th century. 

A disk with a picture on each side is attached to two pieces of string. When the strings are twirled quickly between the fingers the two pictures appear to blend into one due to the persistence of vision. Thaumatropes are considered to be one of the early stages of moving image.

Come and make your own at our interactive 'Museum Movie Magic' Weekend (26-28 August)! 

#PowellCottonMuseum #VisitKent #VisitThanet #Learning #Reimaginingthemuseum #MuseumMovieMagic #thaumatrope #opticaltoy #19thcentury #movingimage

Have you heard of a thaumatrope?

Well, a thaumatrope is an optical toy that was popular in the 19th century.

A disk with a picture on each side is attached to two pieces of string. When the strings are twirled quickly between the fingers the two pictures appear to blend into one due to the persistence of vision. Thaumatropes are considered to be one of the early stages of moving image.

Come and make your own at our interactive `Museum Movie Magic` Weekend (26-28 August)!

#PowellCottonMuseum #VisitKent #VisitThanet #Learning #Reimaginingthemuseum #MuseumMovieMagic #thaumatrope #opticaltoy #19thcentury #movingimage
...

It's a Tomato Fiesta! 

Join us on Saturday 5 August to celebrate all things tomato! 

🍅 Join our Head Gardener Sue, for fascinating Tomato Talks and Tours 
🍅 Tap up our Tomato Doctor Joe for all your Tomato Troubles 
🍅 Meet Rob from @angelas_of_margate who will be cooking up some tasty tomato treats
🍅 Jump on the smoothie bike and cycle up your salsas just how you like it!

Head to the website for more details and we look forward to seeing you on the 5th for a tomato-tastic time.

🍅❤️

#tomatofiesta #tomatoes #growyourown #welovetomatoes
#visitthanet #visitkent #powellcottonmuseum
#ReimaginingTheMuseum #learning #thingstodokentkids #kentmuseums #🍅 #🍅🍅🍅 #

It`s a Tomato Fiesta!

Join us on Saturday 5 August to celebrate all things tomato!

🍅 Join our Head Gardener Sue, for fascinating Tomato Talks and Tours
🍅 Tap up our Tomato Doctor Joe for all your Tomato Troubles
🍅 Meet Rob from @angelas_of_margate who will be cooking up some tasty tomato treats
🍅 Jump on the smoothie bike and cycle up your salsas just how you like it!

Head to the website for more details and we look forward to seeing you on the 5th for a tomato-tastic time.

🍅❤️

#tomatofiesta #tomatoes #growyourown #welovetomatoes
#visitthanet #visitkent #powellcottonmuseum
#ReimaginingTheMuseum #learning #thingstodokentkids #kentmuseums #🍅 #🍅🍅🍅 #
...

Botanical Printing 🌷🍃

Join us this weekend and learn how to make beautiful, unique prints directly from nature. Have fun experimenting with different techniques using plants, flowers and leaves to create your own artwork to take home. 

Suitable for children aged 5 and over (grown-ups can have a go too)!

Find out more: https://ow.ly/3SLW50P7nSz

#learning #powellcottonmuseum #reimaginingthemuseum #visitkent #visitthanet #BotanicalPrinting #NaturePrints #DIYArt #ArtWorkshop #FamilyFun #NatureInspired #LeafPrints #CreativeSaturday

Botanical Printing 🌷🍃

Join us this weekend and learn how to make beautiful, unique prints directly from nature. Have fun experimenting with different techniques using plants, flowers and leaves to create your own artwork to take home.

Suitable for children aged 5 and over (grown-ups can have a go too)!

Find out more: https://ow.ly/3SLW50P7nSz

#learning #powellcottonmuseum #reimaginingthemuseum #visitkent #visitthanet #BotanicalPrinting #NaturePrints #DIYArt #ArtWorkshop #FamilyFun #NatureInspired #LeafPrints #CreativeSaturday
...

Meet Hazel, our Archivist here at the Powell-Cotton Museum. 

Hazel has been incredibly busy recently and we wanted to share a little of what she's been up to, to let you in behind the scenes at the museum. 

As part of our ongoing building restoration and repair work, Hazel (along with the whole Collections and Museums teams) has started relocating our collection of historic books from the library to keep them safe in a temporary home. It has been a lengthy process involving: 

💧 Clearing and cleaning the entire room.
🔨 Building new shelves. 
🖌 Painting the shelves with a special protective coating to avoid any damage
📚 And then finally, carefully moving the books to their new home. 

It's been a real team effort and a lot more complicated than it might seem (as can often be the case with museums!) 

#behindthescenes #archives #libraries #museumcareers #MuseumMaker
#WhatsInStoreWednesday #powellcottonmuseum #ReimaginingTheMuseum
#BehindTheScenes #Learning #ObjectInFocus

Meet Hazel, our Archivist here at the Powell-Cotton Museum.

Hazel has been incredibly busy recently and we wanted to share a little of what she`s been up to, to let you in behind the scenes at the museum.

As part of our ongoing building restoration and repair work, Hazel (along with the whole Collections and Museums teams) has started relocating our collection of historic books from the library to keep them safe in a temporary home. It has been a lengthy process involving:

💧 Clearing and cleaning the entire room.
🔨 Building new shelves.
🖌 Painting the shelves with a special protective coating to avoid any damage
📚 And then finally, carefully moving the books to their new home.

It`s been a real team effort and a lot more complicated than it might seem (as can often be the case with museums!)

#behindthescenes #archives #libraries #museumcareers #MuseumMaker
#WhatsInStoreWednesday #powellcottonmuseum #ReimaginingTheMuseum
#BehindTheScenes #Learning #ObjectInFocus
...