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Summer Holidays at The MERL

Summer holidays in the MERL garden

About this event

This Summer, enjoy trails, activities, crafts at The Museum of English Rural Life.

  • Our new Rat Trail: Explore our galleries with a new, reimagined version of our classic scavenger hunt. Learn more
  • Garden trails: Seasonal trail and woodland brass rubbing trail
  • Summer Family Activity Packs: Enjoy arts and crafts at the museum or take them home. Find out more
  • Studio drop-in activities: Free hands-on make-and-take crafts plus brass rubbing (subject to room availability)

Special events – please book

Play and refreshments

  • Outdoors: Let off steam in our safe, walled garden. Climb on our fabulous wooden play-on tractor, or meet our chatty chickens. Learn more
  • Food and drink: Bring a picnic to enjoy in the garden or treat yourself to an snack in our café

Find out more about planning your visit.

Parking

Please note that the museum’s car park can fill up quickly at busy times. Parking is also available in the University car park on Acacia Road, adjacent to the museum. Please collect a permit from reception on arrival if parking in Acacia Road car park.

We encourage visitors to use public transport wherever possible. Please visit our Getting Here page for details.

Date & Time

23 July – 1 September 2026

Audience

Family

The Museum of English Rural Life
The Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road, Reading, United Kingdom, Berkshire, RG1 5EX