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What’s On

Illustration from Ladybird Books of people walking and holding a 'Peoples Climate March' banner
Exhibition

Ladybird in Focus: 100 Years On

Explore how Ladybird Books has continued to evolve since its centenary in 2015.

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Dates

2 September 2025 – 6 September 2026

Author

Public

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
People taking part in a Tai Chi session in The MERL garden Recurring Event
Event

Tai Chi with Sport in Mind

Free drop-in sessions run by Sport in Mind for adults, designed to support positive mental health.

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Dates

Weekly on Wednesdays, 15:30 – 16:30

Next event: 25 March 2026
Author

Public

Price

Free

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Section of the Wonky Wall hanging
Exhibition

Community Voices

Discover creative and thought-provoking responses to our collections from our local community.

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Dates

20 January – 24 May 2026

Author

Public

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
"Cluttered Countryside." A pastiche of different technologies and activities that disrupt the English countryside - from cars, to petrol stations, to tourism.
Exhibition

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.

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Dates

14 February – 24 May 2026

Author

Public

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
"Radical Rural." A line-art illustration of an onion taking root in the ground.
Exhibition

Radical Rural

Discover the artists, activists and movements championing rural England’s people and places today.

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Dates

14 February – 24 May 2026

Author

Public

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Watercolour of a farmhouse by John Paget.
Exhibition

Preserving the Picturesque

Explore a series of watercolours portraying landscapes from 19th century England, painted by Victorian artist John Paget.

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Dates

14 February – 24 May 2026

Author

Public

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Bunny in the grass
Activity

Spring Family Activity Packs

Spring-inspired activities to do in the museum, garden and at home.

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Dates

20 March – 22 May 2026

Author

Family

Price

Prices vary

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Visitors in The MERL galleries
Talks and Seminars

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.

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Dates

Tuesday 24 March 2026, 13:00 – 14:00

Author

Public

Price

Free, booking required

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Event

Spring Late

Step into The MERL after dark for an evening of music, drinks, and creativity.

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Dates

Wednesday 25 March 2026, 18:00 – 21:00

Author

Adults

Price

£5 / £3 students/staff

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Drawn picture of a Friday Fledglings session in the MERL garden
Event

Friday Fledglings

A weekly outdoor session for toddlers in the MERL garden.

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Dates

Friday 27 March 2026, 10:00 – 11:30

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
Painted Easter eggs sitting in grass and flowers

Easter holidays at The MERL

Enjoy trails and activities at the museum during Easter holidays!

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Dates

28 March – 12 April 2026

Author

Family

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Families toasting marshmallows in the MERL garden during a Green Explorers session
Event

Green Explorers

Sessions for children aged 5+ to experience nature and build their outdoor skills.

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Dates

Sunday 29 March 2026, 10:00 – 12:00

Author

Family

Price

Free. Bookings open two weeks ahead of each session.

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life