2009 National Farmers Weekly Awards

Quex Park is a unique country Park of 250 acres on the Isle of Thanet set within an estate of 1800 acres around Birchington, Acol and Richborough. The Park is an oasis of parkland and trees in a Thanet landscape of open topography and urban development. All the trees were planted in the 19th Century by John Powell-Powell and his successors who realised when planting that they would never live to see the true beauty of their vision. The Park is a haven for birdlife with over 50 species recorded in the last few years.

Within the Park is Quex House built in 1805, a bell tower (Waterloo Tower) built 1819 with its extremely rare secular peal of 12 bells. The Park also has a Guntower which was built as a sea lookout post and a clocktower built circa 1820 with a pre-reformation hour bell.

However the jewel in the crown is the Powell-Cotton Museum, which primarily contains a taxidermy collection of mainly African wildlife, ethnographical exhibits and many other items of cannon, weaponry, porcelain and fine furniture and much else besides. Its natural history collections are of world-class importance as a scientific resource. The Museum as well as Quex House and Gardens are open to the public. Within the grounds there is also a wedding and functions restaurant, tearoom and a Sunday lunchtime carvery.

Like many traditional country estates, the profitability of farming alone was not able to provide for the upkeep of the various historic buildings and parkland. As a result the Estate has diversified its many redundant outdated agricultural buildings. Within the Park there is now a Childrens Indoor and Outdoor Play Centre (Jungle Jims), a Craft Village, a Garden Nursery (The Secret Garden), Quex Park Livery, a Farmshop and Butchery (Quex Barn Farmer's Market) and in the summer, a giant Maize Maze. Quex Park is also the home of the Trust for Thanet Archaeology.

There have been many events during the last few years including Race for Life, QUEXPO, 70's Extravaganza Concert, The Sound Island Festival, Quex Park Horse Show, Midsummers Night Dream and Quex Bonfire & Fireworks Display !

We are proud to have hosted world class bands and acts in Concert at Quex Park such as The National Symphony Orchestra, The Hoosiers, Scouting for Girls, Elliot Minor, UB40, ASWAD and Katherine Jenkins. In 2009 the Sound Island Festival was an excellent event which included the Pussycat Dolls, JLS, N-Dubz and more - as well as the special one-off Quex "Spitfire" Prom with the National Symphony Orchestra and Jon Christos.

Quex Park Estates also has many properties in the local area and there are houses, offices, workshops and storage units to rent. We are committed to conservation, the environment, working on community based projects, education and local food production.

Come and visit us, have a great experience and by so doing, help us to support our vision.