All Day
Sew What?
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. […]
Find out more »Our Green Stories Gallery Trail
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 […]
Find out more »A Break from Tradition
The late 19th and early 20th centuries were a transformative period in Europe. Developments in industry, technology and transportation altered life beyond recognition. It was against this backdrop of unprecedented social, economic and political change that a new generation of artists began to challenge traditional artistic practices. These artists would eventually create what we now […]
Find out more »Folklore and Magic
This exhibition is a captivating exploration of the enduring legacy of folklore and magic. It explores the dynamic nature of folk tales, folk art, magic, and healing wisdom, using the MERL collections, University of Reading's Art Collection, Special Collections, Herbarium and Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology. It has been designed by third-year Museum Studies students […]
Find out more »Spring Family Activity Packs
SPRING-INSPIRED THINGS TO DO IN THE MUSEUM, GARDEN & AT HOME Buy one of our packs at the museum Gift Shop for fun activities to do with children during your visit – and afterwards! For age 5+ (£3) Choose from one of 3 Spring Activity Packs: Little Mouse Spring story, Spring finds and crafts Frog […]
Find out more »Tai Chi with Sport in Mind
Run with our partners Sport in Mind, the UK’s leading mental health sports charity, based in Reading. These casual drop-in sessions for adults are designed to support positive mental health through Tai Chi. They are fun and free and delivered at The Museum of English Rural Life every Wednesday at 3.30-4.30pm. This session is open […]
Find out more »‘Climate Change’ Artwork Display
As part of the upcoming Reading Climate Festival, we have included some very special material to the Our Green Stories gallery trail at The MERL. The gallery trail explores six of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals through links to items in the MERL collections. In this display, we explore these Goals through the artwork from […]
Find out more »Mums and Babies Yoga with Sport in Mind
The Mums and Babies Yoga sessions at The MERL are run with our partners Sport in Mind, the UK’s leading mental health sports charity, based in Reading. The sessions are designed to support positive mental health through yoga and movement for mums and babies under 1 year. Sessions run every Thursday, during RBC term time, […]
Find out more »Museums on Wheels
Our rolling programme, Museums on Wheels is bringing The MERL and Reading Museum to events across Reading with a collection-sharing roadshow offering hands-on opportunities and activities. Join us for surprising and inspiring insights into our collections and community connections. In 2024 our museums are rolling to: Upcoming dates Forbury Fiesta Saturday 11 May 2024 in […]
Find out more »Reading Walks Festival: Forests, Farms and Forest Bathing
Join us as part of Reading Walks Festival 2024 Dates and Times 17th May: 3-4.30pm 18th May: 10.30am-12pm (repeat) About the walk Embark on a mini adventure with Dr. Jen Clarke – anthropologist, artist, and yogi. Join her for a 90-minute guided, slow walk through the grounds and gardens of The MERL and hear fascinating […]
Find out more »10:00 am
Friday Fledglings – 17 May
Join us for a fun and friendly session for under-5s in the fantastic garden at The MERL Discover the benefits of outdoor learning and child-led play at Friday Fledglings! Come and join in with activities inspired by the themes and collections of the museum, and enjoy exploring nature, our mud kitchen, water play, sand-pit, and […]
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