What’s On
Ladybird in Focus: 100 Years On
Explore how Ladybird Books has continued to evolve since its centenary in 2015.
Find out more- Dates
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2 September 2025 – 6 September 2026
- Author
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Public
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Winter Family Activity Packs
Winter-inspired things to do in the museum, outdoors and at home.
Find out more- Dates
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15 November 2025 – 18 March 2026
- Author
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Family
- Price
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Prices vary
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Recurring Event
Tai Chi with Sport in Mind
Free drop-in sessions run by Sport in Mind for adults, designed to support positive mental health.
Find out more- Dates
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Weekly on Wednesdays, 15:30 – 16:30
Next event: 18 March 2026 - Author
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Public
- Price
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Free
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Community Voices
Discover creative and thought-provoking responses to our collections from our local community.
Find out more- Dates
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20 January – 24 May 2026
- Author
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Public
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Voices of the Countryside: 100 Years of the Campaign to Protect Rural England
Celebrate the centenary of an extraordinary charity who transformed the preservation of England’s rural landscapes.
Find out more- Dates
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14 February – 24 May 2026
- Author
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Public
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Radical Rural
Discover the artists, activists and movements championing rural England’s people and places today.
Find out more- Dates
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14 February – 24 May 2026
- Author
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Public
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Preserving the Picturesque
Explore a series of watercolours portraying landscapes from 19th century England, painted by Victorian artist John Paget.
Find out more- Dates
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14 February – 24 May 2026
- Author
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Public
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Chatty Café
Monthly chat, craft & play drop-in sessions aimed at adults including care-givers and loved ones.
Find out more- Dates
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Tuesday 17 March 2026, 14:00 – 16:00
- Author
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Public
- Price
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Free, drop-in (groups please contact us)
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Youth Panel
For young people aged 14 – 18, our Youth Panel offers collective work experience opportunities across The MERL and Reading Museum.
Find out more- Dates
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Thursday 19 March 2026, 16:30 – 18:00
- Author
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Young People
- Price
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Free • Booking required, please email merlevents@reading.ac.uk
- Location
- Reading Museum
Spring Family Activity Packs
Spring-inspired activities to do in the museum, garden and at home.
Find out more- Dates
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20 March – 22 May 2026
- Author
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Family
- Price
-
Prices vary
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Friday Fledglings
A weekly outdoor session for toddlers in the MERL garden.
Book Now- Dates
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Friday 20 March 2026, 10:00 – 11:30
- Author
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Family
- Price
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£5 per child. Bookings open at 12 pm on a Friday, one week ahead of the session you’d like to attend
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Curator Tour: CPRE & Radical Rural
Join us for a tour connected to our current exhibition Voices of the Countryside: 100 Years of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.
Book Now- Dates
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Tuesday 24 March 2026, 13:00 – 14:00
- Author
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Public
- Price
-
Free, booking required
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
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