Quex Gardens is a verdant space with sweeping lawns, woodland, flower borders and a walled garden. Our Head Gardener, Sue Harris has a vision for the garden. Supported by The Powell-Cotton Trust, the gardens will evolve to become a place that is safe and enjoyable for people of all ages and needs. We will work with our local friends and partners to make space for diversifying our volunteer team and to develop unique garden experiences such as ‘ground to table’ cooking and feasting.
The start of this new era for Quex Gardens will be the restoration of the Winter Garden. You may have noticed it, tucked back from the path at the end of the woodland walk. It is one of a range of glass houses that make up the historic walled garden at Quex House. An important feature of the garden, it was installed at a time when the family wanted to create a space in which they could house frost-sensitive plants and access their orchid collection.
In the 1930’s the walled garden was run as a commercial market garden and the expanding museum had removed a large conservatory to allow for further galleries to be built. It is an unusual structure, mainly as it was moved and re-built. It does not have the same historic function as the other glasshouses, namely the vine houses, cucumber pit and orchid house, and was a significant addition involving removing the corner wall of the walled garden and replacing the lean-to glass which had previously been there. As with other alterations to the garden, the addition of this large ‘show’ glasshouse reflected the changing needs of the family. It was a practical change too, accessible directly from the pleasure grounds without the need to negotiate the vineries and orchids.
Work has now begun to repair and restore the structure of this glass house. When complete it will be safe, secure, heated and visually stunning.
Update Spring 2022
The restoration is almost complete! Currently the winter garden is used as an indoor space for our volunteer groups to shelter from the weather and relax on their breaks however we have plans to host dining events with local green Michelin star restaurant, Angelas of Margate. Keep an eye on our events page for our next event!
Project Partners
Head Gardener
Greg Redwood
Trustee
Powell-Cotton Trust
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When you wander around our woodland (we reopen on the 11th *wink *wink), you might notice a new feature. This “dead hedge” has been assembled using materials collected as part of our woodland maintenance.
Not only does this dead hedge provide a habitat for insects and beetles to thrive, it is also a great source of feed for little mammals such as hedgehogs! Our dead hedge is providing a super-shield from the cold winter winds for our bee hives located just behind.
#quexgardens #habitats #bees #hedgehogs #wildlife
More beautiful colours of #autumn in #quexgardens at the #museum. See you at the #weekend?
Thank you to everyone who came along to hear Napandulwe Shiweda talking about her recent work to bring contemporary women’s craft from Northern Namibia to the Powell-Cotton Museum. She had a great discussion with Nicola Stylianou and there were lots of interesting questions from the audience.
The collection includes bright pink skirts made of cloth (odalela) and ostrich eggshell (ondjeva) as well as beaded jewellery and dolls (ounona). They will be on display this autumn…stay connected with us for the official exhibition launch date!
You can find out more about the Namibian Narratives project on our website.
#reimaginingthemuseum #Namibia
The #cactus house is blooming lovely at the moment!
#quexgardens @visitthanet @visitkent
Musicians Spotlight! 🤩
We're very excited to confirm Sunday's musician for 'Percy's world trip - Japan'... @hibiki.ichikawa! Hibiki is a specialist musician with over 15 years experience of performing the Tsugaru Shamisen, a very special instrument.
Performing in our opulent oriental room, visitors will have the opportunity to ask questions in between performances and learn the history of this unique instrument.
Tickets to this event are £2.50 and include entrance to the museum, house and gardens as well as all event activities!
#reimaginingthemuseum
Musicians Spotlight! 🤩
We're delighted to confirm Aki Kitagawa will be performing the absolutely beautiful koto instrument in our opulent oriental room on Saturday 16th and Monday 18th April as part of our 'Percy's world trip - Japan!' event.
Visitors will have the opportunity to speak to Aki between performances and ask questions about the history of this beautiful instrument.
Tickets are £2.50 to include entrance to the museum, house and gardens as well as all event activities!
#japanesekoto #livemusic #museum #reimaginingthemuseum
🌸 Our lovely museum team have been busy creating origami #sakura blossoms for our #Japanese event next weekend. With live music, crafts and games there's something for the whole family to enjoy and all for just £2.50 per person! 🌸
#reimaginingthemuseum
Discover beautiful blossom in our gardens this Spring 🌸
#blossomwatch #quexgardens
It’s the end of another lovely weekend🌸Thank you to the artists who shared their beautiful work with our visitors as part of @powthanet - our visitors loved it.
Next weekend we are hosting @dtcartdesign as part of our Natural History Project “Colonial Critters” so make sure you come along on Saturday or Sunday, 11-3. See you there!
#reimaginingthemuseum #blossom
Bring Art and Science together with our new workshop ‘Drawing from Nature’. Get up close and explore our amazing animal skulls through drawing in this fun, interactive workshop. If you are learning about Animals and their Habitats or Animals including Humans in Science or are looking at still life and drawing in Art, then this will make a school visit to the Powell-Cotton Museum even more unforgettable. To find out more and book email learning@powell-cottonmuseum.org
#ReimaginingTheMuseum
🎉Visit Us in 2022!🎉
The Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House, and Gardens will re-open for the season from Saturday 12th February at weekends and bank holidays.
We’ve revived the visitor experience and tickets have a new standard price of £2.50 per person including guided tours.
Tickets will be released for pre-booking on Monday 17th January.
For more information visit powell-cottonmuseum.org/
#ReimaginingTheMuseum
Wishing all our friends and visitors a warm and wonderful Christmas. Thank you for your ongoing support of the museum.
Enjoy this festive video featuring some creations made by the Thanet Community Service volunteers. 🎉🎄
#ReimaginingTheMuseum
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