Quex Park facts for kids
Quex Park is a large and interesting estate in Kent, England. It covers about 250 acres of beautiful parkland and gardens. There are also 1500 acres of farmland around it. You can find Quex House and other buildings just south-east of Birchington-on-Sea, near Margate. The park is home to the famous Powell-Cotton Museum. It also has the Waterloo Tower, which is a special bell tower.
Contents
History of Quex Park
There has been a house on the Quex site for a very long time. The first one was built in the early 1400s. The name "Quex" comes from the wealthy Quekes family. They were wool merchants who owned the house in the 1500s.
New Owners and Changes
In 1777, a man named John Powell bought the house. He passed away without children. His nephews then inherited the estate. One of them, John Powell Roberts, decided to tear down the old house. In its place, he built the beautiful Regency-style building you see today.
In the 1800s, the Powell-Cotton family took over. They combined two farms to create the large Quex Park. They also planted many trees and shaped the land. This created the lovely park you can visit now.
Quex Park During Wartime
During the First World War, Quex House became a special hospital. It was called an Auxiliary Military Hospital. Volunteers from Birchington helped run it.
In 1923, a man named H. A. Erlebach gave some land to the village. This land became the Memorial Ground. It is used for sports and fun activities. Mr. Erlebach gave it to remember his three sons. They had all died during the First World War.
Powell-Cotton Museum
The Powell-Cotton Museum is a very special place at Quex Park. It was started in 1896 by Major Percy Horace Gordon Powell-Cotton. He was a soldier and an explorer. He went on many trips to Africa and Asia. On these trips, he collected animals and interesting objects.
What You Can See at the Museum
The museum has three main areas filled with stuffed animals. There are more than 500 animals from Africa and Asia. They are set up to look like they are in their natural homes. This helps you imagine them in the wild.
Other parts of the museum show different collections. You can see objects from African cultures. There are also old European guns and cutting weapons. The museum also has beautiful European and Chinese porcelain. Plus, you can see important old items found in Thanet and East Kent. The museum has won many awards for its amazing collections.
Quex House and Gardens
You can visit several rooms inside Quex House. They are decorated with old English and Asian furniture. Guided tours help you learn about the house's history.
The gardens and park at Quex House offer many things to do. There are fun activities and places to eat and drink. Quex House, the Gun Tower, and the Waterloo Tower are all special buildings. They are called Grade II listed buildings. This means they are important and protected.
The Waterloo Tower was even used in a TV show! It appeared in the 1970s science fiction series Blake's 7.
Events at Quex Park
Quex Park is also a popular place for special events. Many people choose to have their weddings here. Ceremonies can take place inside Quex House, in the dining hall, or outside in the beautiful gardens. You can even have outdoor parties with tipis or marquees on the grounds. The dining hall opens up to 15 acres of open space. The gardens have wooded areas, flower beds, ponds, and large lawns.
