Powell-Cotton Museum — Attraction in Thanet

A very interesting museum with a huge amount to see (too much for one visit). A mysterious collection of items mostly brought back from Africa and Asia by a ludicrously rich gentleman. Unfortunately he also enjoyed shooting, and at the time it was considered fair game to bring back a giraffe, elephant, gorilla, rhino and various other creatures to be stuffed and displayed for the entertainment of the public. It feels a bit questionable how some of this stuff was obtained and whether the local people were taken advantage of, but the museum is honest about this and also the "colonial" aspectals which are a bit grim. That said, there was a genuine desire by Powell-Cotton to educate people about the animals, and later in life he became a kind of early environmentalist, so you're left with mixed feelings. Stuffed monkeys aside, there is lots to explore here, and a room at the end where you can handle/wear some of the exhibits, which is great for children. There's grassy outdoor space which is ideal for a picnic on a sunny day, and sometimes used for events in school holidays. Overall well worth a visit, but be warned - there is a particularly gruesome display in one of the middle rooms that will either terrify or delight small children (you...

This is a fantastic day out, set in the middle of Quex Park, which has its own reasons for visiting the area, this museum and house is one of a kind. You'll find the price very reasonable for so much on show, the museum of African and Asian history, the animals preserved in such interesting and educational ways and a chance to look into the lifestyle of a family of explorers, keen to show England and the world what was happening overseas. Kids will love it, there are activities and beautiful gardens to get lost in, peacocks roaming and a walled garden of Victorian beauty. The animals and tribal wares on show are very old and in spite of views many people hold now, the taxidermy is still relevant for its time, the meat of the animals fed local villagers and the ivory has long since been replaced with casts, goods were traded and what we're left with behind the glass, you can make your mind up about if you visit. Prepare to be amazed and challenged,...

A largely unknown gem. The Powell Cotton Museum and Quex House are physically linked. The museum holds an enormous collection of taxidermy, dioramas, and weaponry from grand tours of Africa; an incredible educational resource. Walk internally through to the Grade II listed 1808 Quex House: small, but with an astonishing collection of antiques, art and artifacts, particularly in the drawing room and the library. The landscaped grounds are picturesque and contain a working Victorian walled garden and hothouses crammed with planting. The cost for entry was around £6.50, which is remarkable. What is equally notable is that the Park is maintained by the local council, councils typically being very poor at looking after historic sites. During the week when there are no events you are likely to have the place almost to yourself. An absolute must to visit. (Visited Aug...