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
-
2 September 2025 – 6 September 2026
- Author
-
Public
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
James Joyce: Enigmas and Puzzles
Explore never-before-seen personal papers of beloved author James Joyce from the Solange and Stephen James Joyce Collection.
Find out more- Dates
-
7 October 2025 – 8 February 2026
- Author
-
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
-
15 November 2025 – 27 February 2026
- Author
-
Family
- 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
-
Weekly on Wednesdays, 15:30 – 16:30
Next event: 28 January 2026 - Author
-
Public
- Price
-
Free
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Recurring Event
Friday Fledglings
A weekly outdoor session for toddlers in the MERL garden.
Book Now- Dates
-
Weekly on Fridays, 10:00 – 11:30
Next event: 30 January 2026 - Author
-
Family
- Price
-
£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
James Joyce: Enigmas and Puzzles – Exhibition tour
Join us for a curator tour of the Special Collections exhibition before it closes in early February.
Book Now- Dates
-
Friday 30 January 2026, 12:30 – 13:30
- Author
-
Public
- Price
-
Free, booking required.
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
James Joyce Enigmas and Puzzles – writing drop-in
Writing workshop inspired by the James Joyce Enigmas and Puzzles exhibition.
Find out more- Dates
-
Sunday 1 February 2026, 12:00 – 14:00
- Author
-
Adults, Family, Young People
- Price
-
No need to book
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Conversations with a Curator: Professor Conor Carville
Join us for a free online talk with Professor Conor Carville on artworks depicting the famous Irish writer, James Joyce.
Book Now- Dates
-
Thursday 5 February 2026, 19:30 – 20:30
- Author
-
Public
- Price
-
Free, please book
- Location
- Online
Half term at The MERL
Enjoy trails and activities at the museum during February half term!
Find out more- Dates
-
14 – 22 February 2026
- Author
-
Family
- 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
-
14 February – 24 May 2026
- Author
-
Public
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Radical Rural gallery trail
Discover the artists, activists and movements championing rural England’s people and places today.
Find out more- Dates
-
14 February – 24 May 2026
- Author
-
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
-
14 February – 24 May 2026
- Author
-
Public
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn More.