Quex Park facts for kids
Quex Park is a large estate in Kent, England. It has about 250 acres (1 km²) of parkland and gardens. There are also 1500 acres of farmland. The main building, Quex House, is located near Birchington-on-Sea and Margate.
Quex Park is home to the Powell-Cotton Museum. It also features the Waterloo Tower, which is a bell tower.
Contents
The Story of Quex Park
Early Days and New Owners
There has been a house at Quex Park since the early 1400s. It got its name from the wealthy Quekes family. They were wool merchants who owned the house in the 1500s.
In 1777, John Powell bought the house. He didn't have any children. Later, his nephews inherited the property. One of them, John Powell Roberts, decided to rebuild the house. In 1814, he replaced the old mansion with a new, stylish building.
Creating the Park
During the 1800s, the Powell-Cotton family took over. They combined two farms to create the large Quex Park we see today. They also planted many trees and designed the beautiful landscape.
Quex House During Wartime
During the First World War, Quex House played an important role. It became a special military hospital. Volunteers from Birchington helped run it. They cared for soldiers who were injured in the war.
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 dedicated it to his three sons. They had all died during the First World War.
Quex Park in Books
Quex Park was even featured in a book! It was the setting for some fictional adventures. These were in the 1938 thriller Contraband by Dennis Wheatley.
The Powell-Cotton Museum
A Museum of Exploration
In 1896, Major Percy Horace Gordon Powell-Cotton started the Powell-Cotton Museum. He was a soldier and an explorer. He traveled to Africa and Asia on scientific trips. These trips sometimes lasted for 18 months!
Major Powell-Cotton collected many animals and interesting objects. He wanted to share his discoveries with everyone. Famous taxidermist Rowland Ward prepared the animals for display.
What You Can See at the Museum
The Powell-Cotton Museum is a special place. It has three galleries filled with stuffed animals. You can see over 500 African and Asian animals. They are arranged to look like they are in their natural homes.
Other galleries show collections of African art and tools. There are also old European guns and Asian swords. You can also find beautiful Chinese and European dishes. The museum even has important old objects found in Kent. There are about 18,000 items from different cultures!
The museum has won many awards. One was the 'Culture Pros Pick' award in 2014.
Quex House and Gardens
Exploring the House and Grounds
You can visit several rooms inside Quex House. They are decorated with furniture from different times and places. You can take a guided tour to learn more.
The gardens and park at Quex 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 important historic buildings.
The Waterloo Tower on Screen
The Waterloo Tower was once used for filming a TV show! It appeared in the 1970s science fiction series Blake's 7. In one episode, it was shown as a character's home.
Today, the museum and grounds are also used for special events. People can hold weddings and company gatherings there.
