Powell-Cotton Museum Quex Park
Explore a 15th-century estate featuring a unique Victorian natural history museum and a charming Regency house.
Highlights
Must-see attractions

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Best Time
Primary opening days
Powell-Cotton Museum Quex Park
Best Time
Primary opening days
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore a 15th-century estate featuring a unique Victorian natural history museum and a charming Regency house.
"A very interesting and beautifully presented museum and separate country house, Quex House."
🗺️ Navigate the Estate
Brown signs for Quex Gardens lead to museum & cafe too. Plan your parking!
🎒 Kids' Backpacks
Fantastic idea for children, making the exhibition engaging for all ages.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Victorian Natural History Museum
Powell-Cotton Museum
A stunning collection of taxidermied animals and artifacts from global travels, offering a 'wow' factor.
Quex House Tour
Quex House
Explore the elegant Regency house with a knowledgeable guide sharing eclectic family history and travel tales.
Estate Gardens
Quex Park Estate
Wander through pleasant garden spaces, including a walled garden and carp pond, perfect for a relaxing stroll.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Understand the Estate Layout
Check Opening Days
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🗺️ Navigate the Estate
Brown signs for Quex Gardens lead to museum & cafe too. Plan your parking!
🎒 Kids' Backpacks
Fantastic idea for children, making the exhibition engaging for all ages.
☕ Cafe Delights
Felicity's Cafe offers delicious homemade food with indoor/outdoor seating.
⏳ Allow Ample Time
The site is extensive; you'll need time for the house, museum, and gardens.
Tips
from all over the internet
🗺️ Navigate the Estate
Brown signs for Quex Gardens lead to museum & cafe too. Plan your parking!
🎒 Kids' Backpacks
Fantastic idea for children, making the exhibition engaging for all ages.
☕ Cafe Delights
Felicity's Cafe offers delicious homemade food with indoor/outdoor seating.
⏳ Allow Ample Time
The site is extensive; you'll need time for the house, museum, and gardens.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Powell-Cotton Museum and Quex Park for its fascinating collections and engaging house tours, with many highlighting the 'wow factor' of the natural history exhibits and the knowledgeable staff. The on-site cafe is also a popular spot for delicious homemade food. Some minor confusion regarding estate signage and a desire for more extensive gardens were noted.
"What a find! A very interesting and beautifully presented museum and seperate country house, Quex House. We encountered a wonderful member of staff called Fenje. She's very knowledgeable and informative about the museum and the house, as she was also our House Tour Guide.
The on site cafe, Felicity's is also excellent. Indoor and outdoor seating with wonderful, delicious homemade food.
There is also Quex gardens but we did not have time to visit them.
The entry to the whole site is a little confusing, as to where to park for each area. Brown road signage points to Quex Gardens but this also leads to the Cotton-Powell Museum and Felicity's Cafe."
Heather Gendek
"As soon as you walk into the first gallery it is a wow factor, so much to see, the price includes the gardens,the house and the museum, I am not going to put to many photos up to spoil the first impression. But in our option this is a must visit. Currently only open weekends and bank holidays. Also there is a lot of other things to do/see on the estate"
Ken Stevens
"Beautiful museum, well cared for. Stunning collection. Didn't give five stars as would love to see more gardens like 20 years ago . Especially the walled secret garden. Trees Stunning, it's a big area."
Natalie Myers
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Powell-Cotton Museum is located within the Quex Park estate. While brown road signage often points to 'Quex Gardens,' this entrance typically leads to the museum, Felicity's Cafe, and Quex House. It's advisable to follow signs for Quex Park or the museum directly if possible to avoid confusion. Parking is available on site.
Yes, there is parking available on the estate. However, visitors have noted that signage can be a bit confusing, so be prepared to follow signs for the museum or Quex Gardens, which should lead you to the correct areas.
Information on public transport accessibility is limited. It's recommended to check local bus routes or consider a taxi service if you are not traveling by car, as the estate is quite extensive.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The entry price typically includes access to the Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House, and the estate gardens. This offers great value for exploring multiple attractions on the estate.
The museum and house are currently open primarily on weekends and bank holidays. It is essential to check the official website or contact the venue directly for the most up-to-date opening times before your visit.
Tickets are generally available for purchase on the day of your visit. However, for popular times or bank holidays, booking in advance might be advisable to guarantee entry, though no specific online booking advice is widely shared.
Information on specific discounts for seniors, students, or group rates is not widely detailed in reviews. It's best to inquire directly with the museum for any available concessionary rates.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The museum boasts a 'wow factor' with a vast collection of taxidermied animals and ethnographic artifacts gathered by the Powell-Cotton family during their travels. It's a unique glimpse into Victorian natural history and global exploration.
Quex House is a beautiful Regency house offering a glimpse into the life of the Powell-Cotton family. Guided tours are available and highly recommended, with staff like Fenje providing knowledgeable and informative insights into the house and its history.
Yes, the estate gardens are pleasant and offer a relaxing space to explore, including a walled garden and a carp pond. While some visitors wished for more extensive gardens like in the past, they are still a lovely addition to the visit.
Absolutely! The museum is described as a 'really thought out exhibition, catered for all children.' The provision of backpacks for children is a fantastic idea that makes the experience more engaging for younger visitors.
Given the breadth of attractions – the museum, house tour, and gardens – it's recommended to allocate a significant portion of your day. Visitors suggest you'll need ample time to fully appreciate everything on offer.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, Felicity's Cafe is located on-site and is highly praised for its excellent, delicious homemade food. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating, making it a great spot for lunch or afternoon tea.
The cafe serves homemade food, with mentions of lunch and afternoon tea being available. It's a popular spot for visitors to refuel during their day out.
While not explicitly mentioned, it's generally advisable to check the venue's policy on picnics. However, with a well-regarded cafe on-site, enjoying their offerings is a popular choice.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography policies can vary. While some visitors mention not putting too many photos up to preserve the 'first impression,' it's best to look for signage or ask staff about restrictions on photography, especially flash photography, inside the museum and Quex House.
The taxidermy displays in the museum offer unique photographic opportunities. The Regency architecture of Quex House and the various garden areas, including the walled garden and carp pond, also provide picturesque settings for photos.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Beyond the museum, the Quex Park estate offers space to explore, including gardens with a carp pond, providing opportunities for kids to burn off energy. While Quex House tours are more adult-oriented, the overall experience is designed to be enjoyable for all ages, making it a solid choice for a family day out.
🏛️ History Buffs & Culture Seekers
Quex House tours are a must for understanding the family behind the collections. Guides provide rich historical context and anecdotes, bringing the Regency estate and its eclectic past to life. The combination of the museum's global artifacts and the house's domestic history provides a comprehensive cultural experience.
🚶♀️ Garden Enthusiasts
Although some reviews suggest the gardens might not be as extensive as they once were, they still provide a beautiful and relaxing environment to complement the historical and natural history exhibits. It's a lovely spot for a leisurely walk and to appreciate the estate's grounds.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Powell-Cotton Family Legacy
The museum's 'wow factor' is frequently mentioned, highlighting the immediate impact of walking into the galleries. The preservation of these collections is a significant achievement, allowing future generations to learn from and appreciate the family's legacy. The insights gained from these exhibits go beyond mere display; they tell stories of journeys, discoveries, and the historical context of collecting. The staff, like Fenje, play a crucial role in bringing these stories to life during house tours, adding a personal and engaging dimension to the visit.
Beyond the museum, the estate itself, including Quex House and its gardens, reflects the family's enduring presence. The house, a beautiful example of Regency architecture, provides a more intimate glimpse into their domestic life. The gardens, though some visitors recall them being more extensive in the past, still offer a tranquil environment with features like a walled garden and a carp pond, inviting visitors to connect with the estate's history and natural beauty.
A Family-Friendly Experience
A standout feature for families is the provision of special backpacks designed for children. These are frequently highlighted as a 'fantastic idea' that significantly enhances the engagement and enjoyment for kids, turning a museum visit into an interactive adventure. This thoughtful approach ensures that children are not just passive observers but active participants in their learning experience.
While the historical aspects of Quex House might appeal more to adults, the overall estate offers space to explore. The gardens provide an opportunity for children to run around and enjoy the outdoors. Combined with the engaging museum exhibits, Quex Park presents a well-rounded family day out that balances education with entertainment.
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