The Museum of English Rural Life

Forty Farms
2025-02-11 - 2025-11-09
In March 2020, British Life Photographer of the Year Amy Bateman embarked on a journey to photograph farms across the Lake District. Amy’s journey led her from Herdwick-grazed commons to big-sky Solway marshes, from isolated farmsteads to businesses at the cutting-edge of agricultural innovation.
Our Forty Farms exhibition brings captivating photographs of 20 of the farms that Amy visited to the museum garden. The exhibition presents a visual record of contemporary English farming at a period of profound change.

Paint, Pencil, Print
2025-06-07 - 2026-01-25 | The Museum of English Rural Life, The Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5EX, United Kingdom
In 2025, the University of Reading Art Collection celebrates its 10th birthday!
Join us for a special showcase of iconic and innovative artworks, highlighting the growth and evolution of the art collection over the past ten years. Showing in the Upper Staircase Hall.
Image credit: Robert Gillmor, Peewit and Son, linocut on paper, UAC/11171. © Estate of Robert Gillmor

Ladybird in Focus: 100 Years On
2025-09-02 - 2026-09-06 | The Museum of English Rural Life, The Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5EX, United Kingdom
Explore how Ladybird Books has continued to evolve since its centenary in 2015. Discover how Ladybird continues to meet the needs of modern audiences, from reviving classic books to releasing new series.
On display 2 Sept 2025 – 6 Sept 2026 in the Ladybird Gallery.
Image Credit: Climate Change, © Ladybird Books Ltd., 2017

Tai Chi with Sport in Mind
2025-09-03 15:30 - 2025-12-17 16:30 UTC | The Museum of English Rural Life, The Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5EX, United Kingdom
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 for all abilities and delivered by a qualified instructor.
Free.
For more information, please contact Kirsty (Sport in Mind Local Representative)
Telephone 07788 993516
E-mail info@sportinmind.org
www.sportinmind.org

Jane Austen and Rural Life display
2025-09-09 - 2025-12-19 | The Museum of English Rural Life, The Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5EX, United Kingdom
We’re joining in this year’s global celebrations to mark 250 years of Jane Austen!
From 9 September, view our Jane Austen and Rural Life display to see a rare letter by Jane to her sister Cassandra (one of just 160 letters to survive Austen’s death), or follow a trail through our galleries connecting Austen’s life and work to the countryside.
Join us on 9 September for our monthly gallery tour for the launch of the new MERL gallery trail,
In November, join us for our two Austen-themed workshops – for children and for adults – teaching skills that played a key part in Austen’s life. The first workshop (2 November) will explore ink making and writing. The second (15 November) will introduce attendees to embroidery.

Autumn Family Activity Packs
2025-09-28 - 2025-11-14 | The Museum of English Rural Life, The Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5EX, United Kingdom
Autumn inspired things to do at the museum, outdoors 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 each)
Choose from one of 3 nature themed Autumn Activity Packs:

Conker craft, Little Mouse story, a recipe and little mouse colouring sheet
Clay craft, outdoor bingo and word-search
Cosy silhouette craft, recipe and little mouse colouring sheet

For under 5s (£3):
Fledglings Autumn Activity Pack with craft, story, colouring and stickers
Mini Craft Packs for all ages (£2)
In a hurry or would you like something to buy as a gift? Try our Autumn mini craft pack: Squirrel Bunting
All packs available from the MERL gift shop. Remember to share your creations with us on Instagram and Facebook!

James Joyce: Enigmas and Puzzles
2025-10-07 - 2026-02-09 | The Museum of English Rural Life, The Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5EX, United Kingdom
This exhibition from the University of Reading’s Special Collections shares never-before-seen personal papers of beloved author James Joyce from our Solange and Stephen James Joyce Collection.
Explore Joyce’s large social network of friends and artists, his family life as a loving father, and the inspirations for his work. Learn about the practical adjustments Joyce made to work despite his ill health, and view a selection of rare editions of books from Stephen Joyce’s library.
Tullio Pericoli, James Joyce, 2004, ink and watercolour on paper. Courtesy of the artist.
