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What’s On

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 17 February 2026, 14:00 – 16:00

Author

Public

Price

Drop-in (groups please contact us)

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 19 February 2026, 16:30 – 18:00

Author

Young People

Price

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

Location
Online
Families toasting marshmallows in the MERL garden during a Green Explorers session
Event

Green Explorers

Sessions for children aged 5+ to experience nature and build their outdoor skills.

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Dates

Sunday 22 February 2026, 10:00 – 12:00

Author

Family

Price

Free. Bookings open two weeks ahead of each session.

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
MERL Curator Ollie Douglas standing in front of the Welcome Case at The MERL
Talks and Seminars

Gallery Tour: Women and Dairying

Join us on a tour of the MERL galleries to discuss the theme of women and dairying in our Collections.

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Dates

Tuesday 3 March 2026, 13:00 – 14:00

Author

Adults

Price

Free, booking suggested

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Talks and Seminars

Conversations with a Curator: Dr Rhi Smith

Join us for a free online talk with Dr Rhi Smith on Women Artists and the Reading School of Art in the early 20th century.

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Dates

Thursday 5 March 2026, 19:30 – 20:30

Author

Public

Price

Free, please book

Location
Online
Visitors in The MERL galleries
Talks and Seminars

Gallery Tour: Radical Rural

Join Dr Ollie Douglas (MERL) and Dr Hannah Lyons (University of Reading Art Collections) on a tour through our galleries, highlighting our…

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Dates

Tuesday 24 March 2026, 13:00 – 14:00

Author

Public

Price

Booking required, link coming soon

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Event

Spring LATE

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

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Dates

Wednesday 25 March 2026, 18:00 – 21:00

Author

Adults

Price

£5 / £3 students

Location
The Museum of English Rural Life
Talks and Seminars

Conversations with a Curator: Steve Marshall

Join us for a free online talk with Steve Marshall on Edward Bawden (1903-1989) and Farmed Landscapes.

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Dates

Thursday 2 April 2026, 19:30 – 20:30

Author

Public

Price

Free, please book

Location
Online
Talks and Seminars

Conversations with a Curator: Professor Amy C. Smith

Join us for a free online talk with Professor Amy Smith on the British sculptor, Eric Stanford (1932-2020).

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Dates

Thursday 7 May 2026, 19:30 – 20:30

Author

Public

Price

Free, please book

Location
Online