Visit

Where possible, we encourage visitors to use public transport. If you are traveling by car, please note the following options:

• On-site: A small car park is located directly in front of the museum. Spaces are limited and fill up quickly.

• University of Reading (Acacia Road): Visitors are welcome to park here, but you must collect a temporary permit from our reception when you arrive and display it in your vehicle (unless you hold a University permit).

• Street Parking (Redlands Road): Limited paid parking (max. 2 hours). These spaces are in high demand due to the nearby Royal Berkshire Hospital.

• Public Car Parks: The closest multi-storey option is the Queens Road car park, which is approximately a 10-minute walk to the museum.

Reading is a major rail hub with regular, fast services from London Paddington (approx. 25 minutes) and direct links via the Elizabeth Line. The station is also well-connected to the North, South, and West, with direct routes from Bristol, Oxford, Birmingham, and Bournemouth.

Travelling from Reading Station

• Walking: The museum is a 15–20 minute walk from Reading Station

• Bus: Several bus routes run from the station to nearby London Road or Redlands Road (including the 21 and 21a). See the ‘Bus’ tab for more details

• Taxi: A taxi rank is located immediately outside the station entrance

Several Reading Buses services stop within a short walk of The MERL.

Option 1: University routes

1. Catch the 21 or 21a from Stop EK (on Blagrave Street, near the station)
2. Get off at Crown Place Passage
3. Continue a few metres in the direction the bus was traveling and turn left into Crown Place Passage (just before The Abbey School)
4. Follow the passage through the Acacia Road car park
5. The museum entrance will be on your right at the end of the road.

Option 2: Royal Berkshire Hospital routes

1. Catch the 3, 9, or 19a/b/c from Stop SA (on Station Road)
2. Get off at the Royal Berkshire Hospital (Main Entrance)
3. From the hospital entrance, head toward the corner of Addington Road
4. Walk to the end of Addington Road and turn right onto Redlands Road
5. Cross at the zebra crossing; The MERL is roughly 200m down on your left

Use the Reading Buses app or Google Maps for live departure times. All Reading buses are now contactless. Simply tap your card or phone when you board.

We have a secure bike rack in the car park by the main entrance.

The walk from The University’s Whiteknights campus takes 15-20 minutes.

Use Google Maps to plan your route.