The Museum of English Rural Life

MERL Fashion Week

Detail of a square silk scarf screen printed and hand worked by designer Caitlin Hinshelwood, inspired by a visit to The MERL
Celebrating all things sewing and fashion, with a rural twist MERL Fashion Week is a product of the Barnett Project which has been exploring the stories and themes relating to the 97 sewing machines in the Barnett collection at The MERL. There will be new displays showcasing the collection, reminiscence sessions and events inspired by [...]

POSTPONED: Upcycled jeans: Denim coil pots workshop

Fabric and wool laid out on a table next to fabric coil pots
  This workshop is postponed. We will update this page with a new date as soon as it is arranged. Apologies for any disappointment caused. Join us at this workshop to find out how you can repurpose your own clothing in creative ways Fast fashion is leading to tonnes of clothing being discarded daily which [...]

MERL Fashion Week: Reminiscence Session

Sewing machine
Join us for this opportunity to share your family histories in relation to sewing machines. There will be a unique chance to view some of the MERL’s sewing machines from our stores and see what memories they evoke. We would like to collect your reminiscence, which will be turned into an online exhibition, with potential [...]

Watercolour Workshop: Medieval Bestiary

Watercolour of an elephant

This one-day art workshop is aimed at sharing the work of an exciting Wellcome Trust funded project on animal feeding. The project looks at why people keep and feed animals in zoos and as pets, and how and why we feed wildlife either deliberately or unintentionally. Perhaps most importantly the project looks at what the […]

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 [...]

Our Green Stories Gallery Trail

Our Green Stories logo

Follow our gallery trail to delve into environmental issues past and present Our Green Stories is a Museums Partnership Reading campaign exploring climate change, sustainability, and biodiversity loss through collections. Pick up a free copy of the trail at reception, and use our galleries to help you consider ways we can all care for the […]

Reading Walks Festival: Mindful Museum Walk

a person walks down a wooded path in the MERL garden

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. This one, with Saranjit Birdi takes place in the MERL garden and galleries, and […]

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 […]

An Afternoon at the Museum

someone playing a board game from the MERL collection with sheep and sheepdog figures

Perfect for anyone wanting a change of scene or the opportunity to socialise with others in the unique environment of The MERL. These drop-in sessions are aimed at adults including care-givers and loved ones, supported by friendly museum staff and volunteers.  In the welcoming environment of the museum there will be various optional activities available […]

Sew What?

Model wearing a cape that is part of the Sew What exhibition
We are all starting to ask more questions about fashion. Where do our clothes come from? How environmentally sustainable are they? Should we be making more and buying less? These questions are not just relevant to our modern society. The history of garment making is one deeply intertwined with British culture, both rural and urban. [...]
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    Visit Us

    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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