What’s On
Rat Trail
Can you find the 12 rats hidden in The Museum of English Rural Life?
Find out more- Dates
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Year-round
- Author
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Family
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
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
Recurring Event
Tai Chi with Sport in Mind
Free drop-in sessions run by Sport in Mind for adults, designed to support positive mental health.
Find out more- Dates
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Weekly on Wednesdays, 15:30 – 16:30
Next event: 15 July 2026 - Author
-
Public
- Price
-
Free
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Summer Family Activity Packs
Summer-inspired activities to do in the museum, garden and at home.
Find out more- Dates
-
23 May – 4 September 2026
- Author
-
Family
- Price
-
Prices vary
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Peter Treherne: ‘Seasons’
Video installation in the Wagon Walk gallery.
Find out more- Dates
-
2 June – 13 September 2026
- Author
-
Public
- 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
-
Public
- 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
-
Public
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Youth Panel
For young people aged 14 – 18, our Youth Panel offers collective work experience opportunities across The MERL and Reading Museum.
Find out more- Dates
-
Thursday 16 July 2026, 16:30 – 18:00
- Author
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Young People
- Price
-
Free • Booking required, please email merlevents@reading.ac.uk
- 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 17 July 2026, 10:00 – 11:30
- Author
-
Family
- Price
-
£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
Chatty Café
Monthly chat, craft & play drop-in sessions aimed at adults including care-givers and loved ones.
Find out more- Dates
-
Tuesday 21 July 2026, 14:00 – 16:00
- Author
-
Public
- Price
-
Free, drop-in (groups please contact us)
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Summer Celebration, My Way
A relaxed version of our Summer Celebration for neurodivergent visitors.
Book Now- Dates
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Thursday 6 August 2026, 10:30 – 12:00
- Author
-
Family
- Price
-
£4 per child (adults and under-2s go free)
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Summer Celebration
Bring a picnic, meet farm animals, and enjoy a range of hand-on activities in the garden.
Book Now- Dates
-
Thursday 6 August 2026, 12:30 – 16:00
- Author
-
Family
- Price
-
£4 per child (adults and under-2s go free)
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
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