Explore internationally significant collections and human stories that connect cultures, nature and history.
OPENING TIMES
Saturday 14 February until Friday 30 October 2026
| Mon | 11am – 4pm (Bank Hols only) |
|---|---|
| Tue | closed |
| Weds | 11am – 4pm* |
| Thurs | 11am – 4pm* |
| Fri | 11am – 4pm |
| Sat | 11am – 4pm |
| Sun | 11am – 4pm |
*Open during school holidays only.
Opening times may vary on event days.
Learn something new with every visit!
Gallery Guide
Explore our eight galleries, where you’ll find natural history dioramas, cultural objects from Africa, Asia, and Oceania, and fascinating archaeology from Thanet. See more hereTours, Talks and Trails
Connect with the stories behind the Powell-Cotton Museum through our expert talks, guided tours and family friendly trails. See more hereHands-On Learning
Our interactive gallery and garden spaces invite children of all ages, including those with special educational needs, to explore and learn at their own pace. See more hereThings you can see in the Powell-Cotton Museum
From fascinating animals to personal stories, every object sparks curiosity.
Incredible dioramas
The Powell-Cotton Museum dioramas are the oldest intact large-scale habitat dioramas in the UK, and among the oldest and best preserved in the world.
They contain over 300 animals from more than 150 species, in sculpted and painted settings of astounding detail. Built between 1896 and 1939, these displays are of enormous historical importance in themselves.
GALLERY 1, 2 & 3
Mbitim’s Water Pot
This finely crafted water pot was made by Mbitim, a Zande sculptor from South Sudan. His designs, known for their elegance and detail, appear in museum collections across the UK.
As the leader of his workshop, Mbitim shaped the forms and added the finishing touches, making objects that show both his skill and the traditions he shared with others.
CORRIDOR
African Elephant Leg
The skeleton leg in Gallery 3 stands over 10 feet tall and comes from the same elephant shown in the diorama. It shows just how big the elephant really was, even though the bones are a bit shorter because they do not have the soft tissues that supported them in life.
GALLERY 3
Minnis Bay Excavations
Minnis Bay, only a few minutes from the museum, has a hidden history. Archaeological digs led by Antoinette “Tony” Powell-Cotton found important late Iron Age items, changing how we understand our local area.
The display shows finds from Well 30, a discovery that helps us see what daily life was like long ago.
GALLERY 4
The Big Museum Build with Animate Arts
Unlock your creativity and help us create a big cardboard museum over February half term.
The Big Museum Build with Animate Arts
Unlock your creativity and help us create a big cardboard museum over February half term.
Home Education Day: Paper Worlds
Create amazing tunnel books and experiment with reverse perspective at our first Home Education day of the seasonCreate 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!
Did you know?
Your full day tickets includes entrance to our Museum, House and Gardens.
Quex House
Walk through a manor home shaped by the Powell-Cotton family over generations, with expert guided tours that reveal the lives, travels and ideas behind every room.
Quex Gardens
Take a relaxed wander through heritage gardens featuring sweeping lawns, a woodland walk and a historic walled kitchen garden.
