A virtual tour – Making Rural England
Reminiscent of daily rural life, this gallery showcases rural culture through crafts, living spaces, hunting and more. The diversity of countryside people throughout history is encapsulated by these displays.
A virtual tour – Forces for Change
Farming has existed since humankind could walk, and has constantly been propelled forward by new tools and technologies. This gallery is dedicated to these advancements in farming, and highlights innovations that led to social as well as agricultural changes, such as the threshing machine.
51 Voices

The MERL is 70 | 51 Voices | 51 Objects To mark our 70th year, we will be exploring objects connected to 1951, the year the Museum was established. We will be working with artists and writers from many different communities and backgrounds to link these items to the priorities and passions of the past, […]
A virtual tour – Town and Country
Sometimes the lines between rural and urban can become blurred, which this gallery demonstrates. It focuses on the crossover between town and country, including healthcare practice, advances in technology, and allotment farming.
A virtual tour – A Year on the Farm
Working life on the farm changes according to the season. In this gallery, discover where food comes from and learn how we have access to it all year round.
What are your thoughts on the inventions in this display? Could there be alternate ways to protect livestock and harvest?
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On the Hunt – KG
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On the Hunt – IOD
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Which object would you be interested in learning more about?

Our Welcome Case holds a cross-section of what we have in the collection. Tap on the yellow circles to find out more about individual objects.
Welcome Case – KG

Our Welcome Case holds a cross-section of what we have in the collection. Tap on the yellow circles to find out more about individual objects.