insideKENT Magazine Issue 49 - April 2016 | Page 91

VISITKENT

Quex Park
Burrowed in Birchington-on-Sea lies a hidden world of adventure, nature
and excitement for all the family.
Quex Park combines the great outdoors with a
wonderful world of history in its 250-acre country
park, and is a must-see for anyone wanting a
different day out in Kent.
The grounds are an oasis of tranquillity that
begs to be explored, with a number of unique
tree specimens, a walled kitchen garden and a
collection of exotic plants including cacti,
succulents and pelargoniums as well as
sumptuous summer fruits trees.
But Quex Park is more than just a beautiful
garden. The estate also invites you into the world
of the inquisitive and adventurous Powell-Cotton
family. Its original owner, John Powell, bought
the house in the 1700s and generations of family
members have refurbished and added to its
extraordinary collections over the years, even
being rebuilt in 1813 by his nephew. To this day
the estate remains in the possession of the
Powell-Cotton family, and the house itself is a
sight to behold as visitors gaze at the original
furnishings, works of art and library.
Quex House’s beautiful façade would
impress most visitors alone, but behind its doors
lies one of the UK’s most fascinating visitor
attractions. The Powell-Cotton Museum was
established in 1896 by Percy Horace Gordon
Powell-Cotton to house his natural history
specimens and cultural objects collected on
expeditions to Asia and Africa, including the huge
dioramas of exotic animals mounted against
backdrops of their natural habitats. These displays
are unique to the UK and continue to support
the study and understanding of the zoological,
cultural and ecological diversity of Africa and the
Indian sub -continent. Displays also include

collections of ethnographic objects, European
and oriental ceramics and the family’s taste for
decorative art pieces from China and Japan.
Little ones will love the museum’s latest
addition, Gallery Six, where they can handle and
play with fascinating artefacts such as preserved
specimens, snake skins, and musical instruments.
Kids can also go wild elsewhere on the estate at
Jungle Jims play centre or try paintballing, laser
or archery at the Activity Centre.
If the artwork of the house and museum
inspire you, then head to Quex’s craft village.
After a day of discovery and fun activities you
can fill your appetites at the Quex Barn indoor
farmers’ market and restaurant, or sample the
delights of Mama Feelgood’s Café.
Check out some of the amazing spring and
summer events coming up at Quex:
Museum at Night
Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th May 2016
Quex Park invites you spend 24 hours in the
museum! Enjoy a unconventional family night in
where you and the kids can camp out in the
museum, play games in the gardens, take part
in a torchlight trail, enjoy some craft activity and
finish it all off with a light breakfast on Sunday
morning. Call 01843 842168 for further details.
What's hiding in our Gardens?
Tuesday 31st May
Get the kids to indulge their love for nature this
May half term by exploring Quex Park’s beautiful
gardens. They can increase their knowledge by
identifying creepy crawlies and can make a bee

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hotel to take home. Places are limited, so make
sure you book early to avoid disappointment call
01843 842168.
Gears of Change & Fought for Freedom
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th June 2016
Have a love for classic cars? You’ll love them
even more at this World War tribute event which
combines both a classic car show with a military
show. You’ll get the chance to visit the genuine
NAFFI wagon, visit trenches, and see reenactments and ‘live battles’ as well as being
able to view vehicles and memorabilia. Live music
from the 40s through to the 70s will also be
played. Call 07969 058951 for further details.
Summer Prom
Sunday 3rd July 2016
Make the most of those bright evenings by
listening to a full evening programme of popular
and classical music in the park’s gorgeous
gardens while nibbling on a delicious picnic.
Call 01843 482004 for more information.

www.quexpark.co.uk