Join us to celebrate the launch of the new purpleSTARS interactive exhibits & activities

Your hosts for the day will be the purpleSTARS, artists and technologists with and without learning difficulties/disabilities, who have transformed The MERL experience to make it really inclusive.
Generously funded by the Earley Charity, the purpleSTARS have created fabulous new interactives
and invite you to:
• tighten your seat belt, become a shepherd and experience our virtual reality Quad Bike
• meet our baa-ing sheep and neighing wicker horse, and
• relax to the beautifully immersive English Forest through four seasons.
While you are here why not also try The MERL’s new ‘Make Sense’ trails made in partnership with students of Reading College’s LLD/D department, enjoy our ‘Please Touch!’ Object Handling session, try out a bit of craft to take home or even just explore the museum and its garden at your leisure.

Refreshments

You can enjoy hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, snacks and delicious cakes in our cafe, and you are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the garden or inside if the weather is bad.

Access

Please visit our accessibility page for information to help you prepare for your visit

Bringing a group?

If you would like to attend with a group of 5 or more, we recommend you contact Phillippa Heath on merlevents@reading.ac.uk or on 0118 378 8660 to discuss your requirements and to reserve parking if required.