What’s On
Ladybird in Focus: 100 Years On
Explore how Ladybird Books has continued to evolve since its centenary in 2015.
Find out more- Dates
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2 September 2025 – 6 September 2026
- Author
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Family, Public
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Community Voices
Discover creative and thought-provoking responses to our collections from our local community.
Find out more- Dates
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20 January – 24 May 2026
- Author
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Public
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Voices of the Countryside: 100 Years of the Campaign to Protect Rural England
Celebrate the centenary of an extraordinary charity who transformed the preservation of England’s rural landscapes.
Find out more- Dates
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14 February – 24 May 2026
- Author
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Public
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Radical Rural
Discover the artists, activists and movements championing rural England’s people and places today.
Find out more- Dates
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14 February – 24 May 2026
- Author
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Public
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Preserving the Picturesque
Explore a series of watercolours portraying landscapes from 19th century England, painted by Victorian artist John Paget.
Find out more- Dates
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14 February – 24 May 2026
- Author
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Public
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
When
In this exhibition, postgraduate students from Reading School of Art explore the theme of ‘time’.
Find out more- Dates
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17 March – 14 June 2026
- Author
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Public
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Spring Family Activity Packs
Spring-inspired activities to do in the museum, garden and at home.
Find out more- Dates
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20 March – 22 May 2026
- Author
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Family
- Price
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Prices vary
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Friday Fledglings
A weekly outdoor session for toddlers in the MERL garden.
Book Now- Dates
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Friday 22 May 2026, 10:00 – 11:30
- Author
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Family
- Price
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£5 per child. Bookings open at 12 pm on a Friday, one week ahead of the session you’d like to attend
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
May half term at The MERL
Enjoy trails and activities at the museum during May half term!
Find out more- Dates
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23 – 31 May 2026
- Author
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Family
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Green Explorers
Sessions for children aged 5+ to experience nature and build their outdoor skills.
Book Now- Dates
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Sunday 31 May 2026, 10:00 – 12:00
- Author
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Family
- Price
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Free • Bookings open two weeks ahead of each session
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Echoes
Student-curated exhibition celebrating the University of Reading’s centenary.
Find out more- Dates
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9 June – 27 September 2026
- Author
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Public
- Price
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No need to book
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Imprint
Display celebrating prints made by early twentieth-century women artists from the University of Reading’s School of Art.
Find out more- Dates
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9 June 2026 – 17 January 2027
- Author
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Public
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
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