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What’s On

Displays

Ladybird in Focus: 100 Years On

Explore how Ladybird Books has continued to evolve since its centenary in 2015.

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Dates

2 September 2025 – 6 September 2026

Author

Family, 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

Free drop-in sessions run by Sport in Mind for adults, designed to support positive mental health.

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Dates

Weekly on Wednesdays, 15:30 – 16:30

Next event: 17 June 2026
Author

Public

Price

Free

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Displays

When

In this exhibition, postgraduate students from Reading School of Art explore the theme of ‘time’.

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Dates

17 March – 14 June 2026

Author

Public

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Activity

Summer Family Activity Packs

Summer-inspired activities to do in the museum, garden and at home.

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Dates

23 May – 4 September 2026

Author

Family

Price

Prices vary

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Displays

Peter Treherne: ‘Seasons’

Video installation in the Wagon Walk gallery.

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Dates

2 June – 13 September 2026

Author

Public

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Exhibition

Echoes

Student-curated exhibition celebrating the University of Reading’s centenary.

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Dates

9 June – 27 September 2026

Author

Public

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Displays

Imprint

Display celebrating prints made by early twentieth-century women artists from the University of Reading’s School of Art.

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Dates

9 June 2026 – 17 January 2027

Author

Public

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Event

Whiteknights Studio Trail at The MERL

Visit the the museum as part of this year’s Trail. The MERL is hosting 2 artists this year: Mark Ripley and Manuela Kagerbauer.

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Dates

13 – 14 June 2026, 11:00 – 18:00

Author

Public

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Two people laughing in one of the museum spaces.
Event

Chatty Café

Monthly chat, craft & play drop-in sessions aimed at adults including care-givers and loved ones.

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Dates

Tuesday 16 June 2026, 14:00 – 16:00

Author

Public

Price

Free, drop-in (groups please contact us)

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Two visitors at our Late
Event

Summer Late

Step into The MERL after dark for an evening of music, drinks, and creativity.

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Dates

Wednesday 17 June 2026, 18:00 – 21:00

Author

Adults

Price

Free • Please book • Adults 18+

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Young people playing an interactive game in the MERL galleries
Event

Youth Panel

For young people aged 14 – 18, our Youth Panel offers collective work experience opportunities across The MERL and Reading Museum.

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Dates

Thursday 18 June 2026, 16:30 – 18:00

Author

Young People

Price

Free • Booking required, please email merlevents@reading.ac.uk

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

Friday Fledglings

A weekly outdoor session for toddlers in the MERL garden.

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Dates

Friday 19 June 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