Skip to content

What’s On

Exhibition

Paint, Pencil, Print

Join us for a special showcase of iconic and innovative artworks, highlighting the growth and evolution of the art collection…

Find out more
Dates

7 June 2025 – 25 January 2026

Author

Public

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Illustration from Ladybird Books of people walking and holding a 'Peoples Climate March' banner
Exhibition

Ladybird in Focus: 100 Years On

Explore how Ladybird Books has continued to evolve since its centenary in 2015. Discover how Ladybird continues to meet the…

Find out more
Dates

2 September 2025 – 6 September 2026

Author

Public

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
People taking part in a Tai Chi session in The MERL garden Recurring Event
Event

Tai Chi with Sport in Mind

Run with our partners Sport in Mind, the UK’s leading mental health sports charity, based in Reading. These casual drop-in…

Find out more
Dates

Weekly on Wednesdays, 15:30 – 16:30

Next event: 26 November 2025
Author

Public

Price

Free

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Jane Austen and Rural Life
Exhibition

Jane Austen and Rural Life display

We’re joining in this year’s global celebrations to mark 250 years of Jane Austen! From 9 September, view our Jane…

Find out more
Dates

9 September – 19 December 2025

Author

Public

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
James Joyce, ink and watercolour on paper by Tullio Pericoli
Exhibition

James Joyce: Enigmas and Puzzles

Explore never-before-seen personal papers of beloved author James Joyce from the Solange and Stephen James Joyce Collection.

Find out more
Dates

7 October 2025 – 9 February 2026

Author

Public

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
The word 'Winter' split over two lines with a sparkly snowflake in the middle on a dark blue background

Winter Family Activity Packs

Buy one of our packs at the museum Gift Shop for fun activities to do with children during your visit…

Find out more
Dates

15 November 2025 – 28 February 2026

Author

Family

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Drawn picture of a Friday Fledglings session in the MERL garden Recurring Event
Event

Friday Fledglings

Discover the benefits of outdoor learning and child-led play at Friday Fledglings! Come and join in with activities inspired by…

Book Now
Dates

Weekly on Fridays, 10:00 – 11:30

Next event: 28 November 2025
Author

Family

Price

£5 per child

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Families toasting marshmallows in the MERL garden during a Green Explorers session
Event

Green Explorers

Thanks to the support of Arts Council England Green Explorers is now free! Green Explorers is an opportunity for children…

Book Now
Dates

Sunday 30 November 2025

Author

Family

Price

Free

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Sculpture in profile of Helen of Troy
Event

Closer Look: Conversations with a Curator

Dive deep into the world of art with our expert curators, conservators and scholars.

Book Now
Dates

Thursday 4 December 2025, 19:30 – 20:30

Author

Public

Price

Free

Location
Online
James Joyce, ink and watercolour on paper by Tullio Pericoli
Event

James Joyce: Enigmas and Puzzles – curator tour

Curator of MERL Collections, Dr Ollie Douglas, is joined by a different specialist for each of these monthly tours. Together…

Book Now
Dates

Tuesday 9 December 2025, 11:30 – 12:30

Author

Public

Price

Free

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
star shaped lights on a green hedge background
Event

Magical Lights

Celebrate the end of the year with crafts, lanterns, and lights in the museum garden. Activities will include a torchlight…

Book Now
Dates

Monday 15 December 2025, 18:00 – 19:30

Author

Family, Public

Price

£7 per child

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
star shaped lights on a green hedge background
Event

Magical Lights, My Way

A relaxed version of Magical Lights with sensory provision for neurodivergent visitors and their friends, families, and loved ones.

Book Now
Dates

Monday 15 December 2025, 16:30 – 17:45

Author

Family, Public

Price

£7 per child

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life