What’s On
Rat Trail
Can you find the 12 rats hidden in The Museum of English Rural Life?
Find out more- Dates
Year-round
- Author
Family
- 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
Weekly on Wednesdays, 15:30 – 16:30
Next event: 23 September 2026- Author
Public
- Price
Free
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Echoes
Student-curated exhibition celebrating the University of Reading’s centenary.
Find out more- Dates
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
9 June 2026 – 17 January 2027
- Author
Public
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Ladybird in Focus: Behind the Hamster
Discover how a Ladybird book is made following the journey of a curious hamster.
Find out more- Dates
8 September 2026 – 5 September 2027
- Author
Family, 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 17 September 2026, 16:30 – 18:00
- Author
Young People
- Price
Free • Booking required, please email [email protected]
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Friday Fledglings
Weekly outdoor learning for toddlers in our garden.
Book Now- Dates
Friday 18 September 2026, 10:00 – 11:30
- Author
Family
- Price
£5 per child. Bookings open at 12 pm on Fridays, 1 week ahead of the next session
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Heritage Open Days
Explore materials from the University
of Reading’s Special Collections
and Art Collections.
- Dates
Sunday 20 September 2026, 11:00 – 13:00
- Author
Public
- Price
Free • Booking link opens 2 June
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Gallery Tour: MERL 75
Join us on a whistle-stop gallery tour through 75 years of The MERL!
Book Now- Dates
Tuesday 22 September 2026, 13:00 – 14:00
- Author
Public
- Price
Free, booking suggested
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life
Green Explorers
Session cancelled.
Find out more- Dates
Sunday 27 September 2026, 10:00 – 12:00
- Author
Family
- Price
Free
- Location
- The Museum of English Rural Life