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 »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 »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 »No Friday Fledglings during school holidays – starts back September
Friday Fledgling sessions will resume in September Discover the benefits of outdoor learning and child-led play! Come and join in with activities inspired by the themes and collections of the museum, enjoy exploring nature, our mud kitchen, water play, sand-pit and more. Each session also includes story-telling, craft activities singing and a snack. All are […]
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 […]
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