The Museum of English Rural Life

The Museum of English Rural Life We explore the history of the English countryside and its people. Chaotic Good.
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If you're looking for something to do in this extreme heat, we welcome you to drop in and see us at The Museum of Englis...
23/06/2026

If you're looking for something to do in this extreme heat, we welcome you to drop in and see us at The Museum of English Rural Life. We have cool and air-conditioned spaces (including our galleries and learning studio), plus water refills in the café.

For parents of younger children: our under 5s group Friday Fledglings will still meet this Friday, but we'll share an update if that changes. If you've booked but would prefer not to come, please contact us and we'll honour all refunds ❤️

19/06/2026

The Nook, our space for visitors to relax, has officially relaunched! Come enjoy this beautiful, cozy space, redesigned as part of our work as a Museum of Sanctuary and University of Reading’s role as a University of Sanctuary. All welcome!

Arts Council England

This Weds we're having a party and you're invited! Join us for our next Late with drinks (alc & non-alc), cheese tasting...
15/06/2026

This Weds we're having a party and you're invited! Join us for our next Late with drinks (alc & non-alc), cheese tastings, tours, and more. Free thanks to University of Reading centenary funding.

https://merl.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/summer-late/

12/06/2026

Tea break at the tractor factory! Another good spot for a cuppa is The MERL Café – we may not have that special sawdust flavour on offer, but we have all the other ones, and they're really good 🫖

with the support of Screen Heritage Fund awarding funding

Reference: D WATT PH6/8

09/06/2026

From a 1950 film series titled Is this the job for me?, here are highlights from entry No.4, 'Making Engines', centring on boys' experiences of working in a tractor factory. It shows the patent and machine shops, foundry, casting, moulding – turning and gear making – forging, assembly work, and finally checking the engine after its first run by taking it apart again.

with the support of Screen Heritage Fund awarding funding – Reference: D WATT PH6/8

07/06/2026

The rats in our galleries have moved – as they would, doing all their busy jobs – which means you have no excuse not to embark on the trail again. Or for the first time, rat spotters of all kinds are welcome here.

05/06/2026

Back in 1950, sixteen year old boys knew what they liked and could do, and a safe way to light a cigarette was off a hot poker. Make of that what you will.

with the support of BFI Screen Heritage Fund awarding funding – Reference: D WATT PH6/8

03/06/2026

The MERL social media team is nothing if not professional.

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Redlands Road
Reading
RG15EX

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