Location Visit to Quex Park - May 3rd 2010
Location Visit Quex Park
Date: 3/5/2010
Quex Park is a large house situated just west of Margate in Kent. On its grounds is situated the Waterloo Tower where the episode Bounty was filmed. Also there are the woodlands used in the scenes before Blake and Cally found President Sarkoff, and an access road where the 'automobile' was filmed driving about.
To access the house, museum and potentially the towers (there are 3 around the grounds) entry as of this date was £7 for adults (with a family ticket costing £20).
I must stress at this moment in time it is NOT easily possible to get a good look at the Waterloo Tower and the surrounding woods due to issues of privacy with certain properties on the estate and our old friend 'Health and Safety!' However we managed to ‘wangle’ things eventually and have found out some information that would hopefully prove useful to any fans who may wish to visit the location in the near future.
Angry Angel, our two sons and I arrived there after quite an easy drive from our home in Horsham. Most of it was on motorways, even the dreaded M25 was clear for once, and we got to our destination in well under 2 hours of driving. I would estimate a journey time of about 45 minutes from the Dartford Crossing and a similar sort of time that we experienced from departing north and south of London.
It is very easy to find as the location was clearly signposted as 'Quex Park' off the A299/A28 junction. As you enter Birchington, a few miles west of Margate, there is a sign to your right clearly showing Quex Park.
If you have travelled some distance and require refreshment there is a restaurant/cafe adjoining a farm shop called the Quex Barn where they do breakfasts from 9am and sandwiches and main meals from midday. Prices range from about £5 upwards. (There is also a carvery restaurant at the main Quex House.)
The food is all locally sourced produce and whilst not being that cheap is not that expensive either and our service was pretty prompt, the food was hot and tasty and it saved us doing a packed lunch. But if you're on a budget you could always have a packed lunch in the gardens of Quex Park itself.
After eating we obtained a few souvenirs (still can't believe we didn't buy a bottle of English 'Ortega' Wine). But we did buy some Quex Park rape seed cooking oil. The reason for the purchase was the fact that it had a picture of the Waterloo Tower on it! The kids were kept happy with a couple of sugar mice purchases.
We then proceeded on to the house. This can be accessed by either a short walk, or take your car to a second car park by the house. Depending on the time of year you may be able to see the Tower from the car park, but in summer it will be obscured by tree foliage and only the white metal spire will be visible.
When we first arrived we were told that due to a variety of reasons we could not see the Tower!!! However, we didn't really want to waste the day and bought a family ticket in any case hoping that maybe we could get some photos from a distance. The house has been owned by the Powell-Cotton family since the mid 18th century and itself is well worth a visit.
One of the major features of the house is the museum dedicated to Gordon Powell-Cotton (1866 -1940) It houses natural history specimens and cultural objects that he collected on numerous expeditions to Asia and Africa.
Major Powell-Cotton was a pioneer in the use of the diorama to display mounted mammals in representations of their natural habitats. The Powell-Cotton Museum natural history dioramas full of stuffed animals are outstanding examples, unique to the UK, stunning for their size, quality and imagery. The website claims it is interesting although to me it seemed a little macabre. However when put into a Victorian context it must have proved a valuable tool to instruct the typical Victorian on the geography of the mysterious Dark Continent and the importance of respecting its wealth and assets.
I personally found the second section of more interest. This is an extensive ethnographical collection of items from Africa, including a wide array of weapons and tools acquired on his numerous travels. Our children were particularly impressed with the large number of unusual weapons that looked like they were straight out of a fantasy videogame! More seriously, our older son is studying Africa in school this term, and I think he picked up quite a bit of information. Although some of the galleries were closed for maintenance it remains an impressive collection and I have not seen anything quite so extensive outside of the British Museum. It is well worth a visit. Fandom can be quite educational at times!
After a couple of hours in the Museum and house, we went out into the formal gardens where if you wanted you could have a lunch. At various times of the year there are talks led by gardening staff that will take you around the gardens, although not on the day we attended. Upon walking around it became apparent that we would not be able to sneak a look at the Tower. In desperation (and still slightly embarrassed to mention why we were so interested) Angry Angel managed to ask at the reception if we could have a look.. and I assisted with a 'cry story' that we had driven for (2) hours which was pretty much the truth, therefore would they mind.... They asked the main security man and after a brief chat and once he had vetted us and no doubt saw we were sensible and responsible people he agreed to grant us access. We had to declare that we took responsibility for our own and our children's safety, which of course we did.
We walked to the Tower, climbing over fences and gates in the process. Derek explains that due to a variety of reasons, the advertised (on the web site) 3 towers walk wasn't available. We found out that it is due to health and safety concerns and the fact that some people wandered into 'private' areas, going where they shouldn’t, etc.. However, some work will hopefully be completed so that future visitors would be able to visit the Waterloo Tower. It is anticipated that this work (creation of an access route via a farmer’s field) would be complete by Summer 2011. When we got to the Tower the health and safety concerns seemed a little unfounded, as all we had to do was cross a style, open a few gates and walk where Derek directed us. The access is no worse than a number of National Trust properties that we visit from time to time.
But rules are rules (I suppose) and I will comply if it helps to see any B7 location and it keeps the good will of the staff. When we mentioned that we were Blake's 7 fans Derek understood and was very helpful in explaining how things were going to improve for future visits, both in terms of the Tower and some of the exhibits in the museum.
Once Derek had got us to the gate of the field which the Tower was in, he left us to take photos and do whatever fans do! The location is basically in a little wood in the middle of a field. It is clearly visible on Multimap's aerial photographs. (Just do a search for Quex Park Birchington). It was a little more overgrown than what we saw in the episode but that may have been because we were looking at the site in the early summer whereas Bounty was filmed in the winter months from what I recall.
View from the approach, the main entrance is clearly visible, and the old track can be faintly seen.
As you can see, we posed for a few photos. The kids had a load of fun wearing a teleport bracelet and shooting each other with improvised blasters.
We joined in too :)
I have no idea who is the idiot in this picture here! -->
After taking some shots and walking around the Tower we left for home. If you have some additional time you may want to check out some craft shops and Jungle Jims (gym) if the kids still have some energy to burn. This will probably cost a little extra. But due to time constraints we did not investigate this at all.
In summary therefore this is a great day out with the bonus being that it is a quality location visit as well. Remember though, at the moment the Waterloo Tower is not publically available. But Derek did mention that there was an open day in Sept 2010 that may grant access to the Tower. Failing that I would wait until next summer and keep an eye on their website for any announcements. I would not wish a long drive on anyone culminating in a disappointing end to their day.
Date: 3/5/2010
Quex Park is a large house situated just west of Margate in Kent. On its grounds is situated the Waterloo Tower where the episode Bounty was filmed. Also there are the woodlands used in the scenes before Blake and Cally found President Sarkoff, and an access road where the 'automobile' was filmed driving about.
To access the house, museum and potentially the towers (there are 3 around the grounds) entry as of this date was £7 for adults (with a family ticket costing £20).
I must stress at this moment in time it is NOT easily possible to get a good look at the Waterloo Tower and the surrounding woods due to issues of privacy with certain properties on the estate and our old friend 'Health and Safety!' However we managed to ‘wangle’ things eventually and have found out some information that would hopefully prove useful to any fans who may wish to visit the location in the near future.
Angry Angel, our two sons and I arrived there after quite an easy drive from our home in Horsham. Most of it was on motorways, even the dreaded M25 was clear for once, and we got to our destination in well under 2 hours of driving. I would estimate a journey time of about 45 minutes from the Dartford Crossing and a similar sort of time that we experienced from departing north and south of London.
It is very easy to find as the location was clearly signposted as 'Quex Park' off the A299/A28 junction. As you enter Birchington, a few miles west of Margate, there is a sign to your right clearly showing Quex Park.
If you have travelled some distance and require refreshment there is a restaurant/cafe adjoining a farm shop called the Quex Barn where they do breakfasts from 9am and sandwiches and main meals from midday. Prices range from about £5 upwards. (There is also a carvery restaurant at the main Quex House.)
The food is all locally sourced produce and whilst not being that cheap is not that expensive either and our service was pretty prompt, the food was hot and tasty and it saved us doing a packed lunch. But if you're on a budget you could always have a packed lunch in the gardens of Quex Park itself.
After eating we obtained a few souvenirs (still can't believe we didn't buy a bottle of English 'Ortega' Wine). But we did buy some Quex Park rape seed cooking oil. The reason for the purchase was the fact that it had a picture of the Waterloo Tower on it! The kids were kept happy with a couple of sugar mice purchases.
We then proceeded on to the house. This can be accessed by either a short walk, or take your car to a second car park by the house. Depending on the time of year you may be able to see the Tower from the car park, but in summer it will be obscured by tree foliage and only the white metal spire will be visible.
When we first arrived we were told that due to a variety of reasons we could not see the Tower!!! However, we didn't really want to waste the day and bought a family ticket in any case hoping that maybe we could get some photos from a distance. The house has been owned by the Powell-Cotton family since the mid 18th century and itself is well worth a visit.
One of the major features of the house is the museum dedicated to Gordon Powell-Cotton (1866 -1940) It houses natural history specimens and cultural objects that he collected on numerous expeditions to Asia and Africa.
Major Powell-Cotton was a pioneer in the use of the diorama to display mounted mammals in representations of their natural habitats. The Powell-Cotton Museum natural history dioramas full of stuffed animals are outstanding examples, unique to the UK, stunning for their size, quality and imagery. The website claims it is interesting although to me it seemed a little macabre. However when put into a Victorian context it must have proved a valuable tool to instruct the typical Victorian on the geography of the mysterious Dark Continent and the importance of respecting its wealth and assets.
I personally found the second section of more interest. This is an extensive ethnographical collection of items from Africa, including a wide array of weapons and tools acquired on his numerous travels. Our children were particularly impressed with the large number of unusual weapons that looked like they were straight out of a fantasy videogame! More seriously, our older son is studying Africa in school this term, and I think he picked up quite a bit of information. Although some of the galleries were closed for maintenance it remains an impressive collection and I have not seen anything quite so extensive outside of the British Museum. It is well worth a visit. Fandom can be quite educational at times!
After a couple of hours in the Museum and house, we went out into the formal gardens where if you wanted you could have a lunch. At various times of the year there are talks led by gardening staff that will take you around the gardens, although not on the day we attended. Upon walking around it became apparent that we would not be able to sneak a look at the Tower. In desperation (and still slightly embarrassed to mention why we were so interested) Angry Angel managed to ask at the reception if we could have a look.. and I assisted with a 'cry story' that we had driven for (2) hours which was pretty much the truth, therefore would they mind.... They asked the main security man and after a brief chat and once he had vetted us and no doubt saw we were sensible and responsible people he agreed to grant us access. We had to declare that we took responsibility for our own and our children's safety, which of course we did.
We walked to the Tower, climbing over fences and gates in the process. Derek explains that due to a variety of reasons, the advertised (on the web site) 3 towers walk wasn't available. We found out that it is due to health and safety concerns and the fact that some people wandered into 'private' areas, going where they shouldn’t, etc.. However, some work will hopefully be completed so that future visitors would be able to visit the Waterloo Tower. It is anticipated that this work (creation of an access route via a farmer’s field) would be complete by Summer 2011. When we got to the Tower the health and safety concerns seemed a little unfounded, as all we had to do was cross a style, open a few gates and walk where Derek directed us. The access is no worse than a number of National Trust properties that we visit from time to time.
But rules are rules (I suppose) and I will comply if it helps to see any B7 location and it keeps the good will of the staff. When we mentioned that we were Blake's 7 fans Derek understood and was very helpful in explaining how things were going to improve for future visits, both in terms of the Tower and some of the exhibits in the museum.
Once Derek had got us to the gate of the field which the Tower was in, he left us to take photos and do whatever fans do! The location is basically in a little wood in the middle of a field. It is clearly visible on Multimap's aerial photographs. (Just do a search for Quex Park Birchington). It was a little more overgrown than what we saw in the episode but that may have been because we were looking at the site in the early summer whereas Bounty was filmed in the winter months from what I recall.
View from the approach, the main entrance is clearly visible, and the old track can be faintly seen.
As you can see, we posed for a few photos. The kids had a load of fun wearing a teleport bracelet and shooting each other with improvised blasters.
We joined in too :)
I have no idea who is the idiot in this picture here! -->
After taking some shots and walking around the Tower we left for home. If you have some additional time you may want to check out some craft shops and Jungle Jims (gym) if the kids still have some energy to burn. This will probably cost a little extra. But due to time constraints we did not investigate this at all.
In summary therefore this is a great day out with the bonus being that it is a quality location visit as well. Remember though, at the moment the Waterloo Tower is not publically available. But Derek did mention that there was an open day in Sept 2010 that may grant access to the Tower. Failing that I would wait until next summer and keep an eye on their website for any announcements. I would not wish a long drive on anyone culminating in a disappointing end to their day.
Comments
We did indeed. I'd be more than happy to go again when they sort out easy access for visitors 
I'm just wondering how secure the mortar is on those battlements. I hope you didn't put it to the test. 
Thanks for the photos.
Thanks for the photos.
Thanks for the article and pictures. I'm still getting over the shock of the spire being real! I always assumed is was some special effects when I saw it on B7 'Bounty'
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