Powell-Cotton Museum
The Powell-Cotton Museum is situated in Quex Park in Birchington and houses the diverse personal collections of hunter and explorer Percy Powell-Cotton. The museum also contains the collections of Powell-Cotton's two daughters, Antoinette and Diana Powell-Cotton, who shared their father's passion for collecting.
The museum, which links to the ground floor of Quex House, now comprises nine galleries dedicated not only to the extensive collection of large mammals, but to many artefacts representing the cultures and traditions of the locations Powell-Cotton visited.
Early stages
Commencing as a single-room collection in 1896, Percy Powell-Cotton gave the go-ahead to have a pavilion erected in the gardens of Quex House, overseen by his brother, Gerald. Percy enlisted the help of Rowland Ward, renowned in the field of taxidermy at the time, to prepare the animals for display. The former Fusilier had acquired thousands of artefacts through his hunting and conservation expeditions.After Percy Powell-Cotton's death in 1940, his son Christopher constructed more galleries to incorporate the family collections of archaeology, anthropology, ceramics and weaponry.
Education
The museum promotes educational visits for schools, families and academics and houses a conference room to aid with learning and research in natural and social sciences. Guided tours are also provided by staff with appropriate notice. The Powell-Cotton Museum works under the objective of "in trust for the enjoyment of visitors and the benefit of students", in relation to the legacy of founder.Reputation
The wide range of specimens and artefacts housed in the museum serve as an important stop for academics and researchers in the field of natural and social science, with opportunities for study available upon appointment. The museum regularly works with The Natural History Museum, London and attracts students from around the world.The Museum and grounds also operate as a corporate event and wedding venue.
Location and access
The Powell-Cotton Museum is located within Quex Park in Birchington, Kent, 12 miles from Canterbury. The Museum has free parking for cars and coaches and disabled access to all areas of the museum and surrounding gardens.The nearest national rail station is Birchington on Sea and is an approximate 20 minute walk from the park. Another nearby station is Margate, which is achievable via the high speed service from London St Pancras in 1 hour 20 minutes. By bus, the number 8 Thanet bus stops at Birchington Square, a half-mile walk from the park.