The Museum of English Rural Life

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
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
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
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.

James Joyce: Enigmas and Puzzles
2025-10-07 - 2026-02-09
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.

Embroiderey Sampler Workshop
2025-11-15
To celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, we are offering workshops exploring two of her greatest skills – writing and embroidery.
When Jane Austen was a little child, she and most girls her age would have been taught needlework and made samplers to show off their skills.
In the 21st Century, needlework is for everyone, and textile artist Charlotte Hollis wants to teach you!
You’ll choose some words and images to best describe your family or something special, before Charlotte shows you how to stitch it on to your sampler.
You’ll then go away with the materials you need to finish your sampler at home.
All materials supplied.
Saturday 15th November | 10.30am – 12.30pm: Adult (14+)

Booking essential | £10
BOOKING COMING SOON

Please note: this event was originally advertised as being adult and child, but has since been changed to adult only.
Saturday 15th November | 2.00 – 4.00pm: Adult (14+)

Booking essential | £10
FULLY BOOKED

Other Jane Austen 250 activities
9 September to 19 December – Jane Austen gallery trail
2 November – Traditional ink making and writing Workshop
