All Day
Sew What?
We're 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 aren't just relevant to modern society. The history of garment making is deeply intertwined with British culture, both rural and urban. In Sew What, we'll […]
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 »‘Climate Change’ Artwork Display
As part of the Reading Climate Festival, we 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 the Ladybird […]
Find out more »Summer Family Activity Packs
Summer-inspired things to do in the museum, garden and 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 Nature themed Summer Activity Packs: Little Mouse and the Sunshine Garden Sun […]
Find out more »Community Voices
The MERL partners with many local community organisations using its collections to inspire creative projects which bring people together to promote well-being. The 'Community Voices' displays showcase the wonderful creative and thought-provoking responses to themes and stories within The MERL collections by participants in amazing projects throughout the year. Sew What? until 1st September '24 […]
Find out more »From Pen to Press
An exhibition featuring highlights from the Special Collections, Archive of British Publishing and Printing to coincide with the Conference for the Society of History of Authorship, Reading and Publishing (SHARP) which will be held at the University of Reading 1-5 July 2024. Image: pen formerly owned by James Joyce dated circa 1935. SSJ-OBJ_002
Find out more »Summer Holidays at The MERL
VISIT THE MERL FOR FUN ACTIVITIES AND MORE! This Summer, enjoy trails, activities, crafts at The Museum of English Rural Life! Discover our Summer Family Activity Packs for all ages (from £2 per pack) Have a go at a variety of gallery and garden trails including our woodland brass rubbing trail Free make-and-take and other […]
Find out more »Grimwood Museum Adventure trail
Get ready for a wander into the woods – and to meet some unique characters along the way! The Grimwood Museum Adventure celebrates the release of Party Animals, the fourth book in the brilliantly anarchic comedy-adventure series, Grimwood, by bestselling author-illustrator Nadia Shireen. Fox cub siblings, Ted and Nancy escape urban life and find themselves […]
Find out more »10:00 am
Miller’s Ark, My Way at The MERL
Bring a picnic, meet the Miller's Ark farm animals and enjoy other activities in the MERL garden. This event will be a relaxed session with additional sensory provision, geared towards neurodivergent visitors and their families. Please only book this session if you feel it is appropriate to do so. Limited spaces: Booking required (NOW FULLY […]
Find out more »12:30 pm
Miller’s Ark at The MERL
Join us to meet the animals of Miller's Ark Farm Bring your own picnic and blanket and join us in the museum garden. Enjoy a range of hands-on activities from The MERL and visit real farm animals from Miller’s Ark. Event details Event times: 12.30pm - 4pm Book in advance before the day: £2 per […]
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