The Museum of English Rural Life

Family workshop: Totally Tote Bags

Tote bags hanging up in the Sew What exhibition
As part of MERL Fashion Week, Join members of the engagement and collections teams from The MERL to learn about the history of sewing machines, the impact of fast fashion and a chance to then make and decorate your own tote bag. At this workshop you will have chance to: Learn more about the Barnett [...]

Life Below Water: Artist-led workshop at The MERL

Exploring the theme of ‘Life Below Water,’ join artist Rebecca Howard and lend a hand creating a wonderful joint artwork, inspired by Reading’s rivers. Then make your sustainability pledge, to take home or hang up in the museum. Part of Museums Partnership Reading’s Our Green Stories campaign, exploring the importance of protecting life in our […]

Earth Day: Invest in Our Planet

child painting flowers for Earth Day event
Get Inspired. Take Action. Be a part of the green revolution!  Join teams from Reading Museum, The MERL, Nature Nurture, BBOWT and others, for creative activities and displays on the theme of ‘Invest in Our Planet’. This event is part of Museums Partnership Reading’s Our Green Stories campaign.   *Please note that the garden will be [...]

Reading Walks Festival: Five Ways to Wellbeing Nature Walk

a path leading to a bench in immersed in greenery in the herb garden at The MERL

Join us as part of Reading Walks Festival 2023 We are delighted to be taking part in the first ever Reading Walks Festival. We are offering two gentle, accessible walks in and around the museum and its immediate surroundings on campus. The first is this Five Ways to Wellbeing Nature Walk, and the second is […]

Youth Workshop: Garment Upcycling

part of a recycled garment in an embroidery hoop with flowers being sewn on
Fast fashion is leading to tonnes of clothing being discarded daily which has a huge impact on the environment. At this workshop with fashion and textiles artist, Anurita Chandola, you will learn how to mend, re-sparkle, personalise and transform your pre-loved clothing by learning different embroidery techniques. You will also learn to apply different techniques [...]

Bookfest: a day of family craft workshops

Children learning how to make paper
The MERL and Special Collections have a huge selection of books, archives and art works that are all created from naturally occurring or recycled materials. These include paper, parchment and plant dyes and colours. Over time, people reused library and archive components to create new objects, and these may still be seen in the books [...]

Half term at The MERL

A girl reaching up to touch the knitted decorations in the shepherd's hut in the MERL garden
There's lots for families of all ages to do this October half term at The Museum of English Rural Life. Discover our Autumn Family Activity Packs for all ages (from £2 per pack) Have a go at a variety of gallery and garden trails including our woodland brass rubbing trail Free hands-on make-and-take activities Try [...]

Sunflower Amulets

Items used to make sunflower amulets sitting on a table

Join artist, Fong Scott, to make your own Sunflower Amulet using fabric scraps and unwanted clothing. The amulet will contain seeds that you can give as a gift or to save and plant yourself. You’ll have a chance to create your own label and write a message for nature too. All children must be accompanied […]

Green Explorers

Families toasting marshmallows in the MERL garden during a Green Explorers session
2024/25 update: Thanks to the support of Arts Council England, Green Explorers is now free! Green Explorers is an opportunity for children aged 5+ to experience nature and build their outdoor skills. Led by Charlotte, a local environmental education teacher and Level 3 Forest Leader, each session is themed around the museum collections and the [...]

Woolly Wintry Creations

a colourful sheep decoration made from wool and pipecleaners

Create fun shapes with wool and pipe cleaners! Collect a kit from the Gift Shop for just £1.50 and make your decorations during your visit or at home. It contains all the materials you’ll need to make colourful, cute shapes to hang on your Christmas tree or as a decoration anywhere! The kit contains: pipe […]

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    The Museum is now fully open, following a major redevelopment, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

    Free Admission

    The Museum of English Rural Life

    University of Reading

    Redlands Road

    Reading

    RG1 5EX

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