The Museum of English Rural Life

You will receive a warm welcome at the Museum of English Rural Life, with fascinating galleries, a beautiful garden and a cafe and shop - a rural haven in an urban setting. The new displays show how life and work in the countryside past and present, is relevant to us all, wherever we live. Come and discover the new interactive galleries and explore questions of identity, environment, technology, culture and health. Discover how the rural lives and our views about the countryside have changed over time. There's something for all age groups from a wonderful old Land Rover to wellies owned by Glastonbury Festival founder, Michael Eavis, farm wagons and Ladybird books! Touch screen games, hands on activities and toys will help keep everyone entertained. You can also:

Relax or work in The Nook, developed in partnership with students from the University of Reading.

Explore our open access collections area.

Make brass rubbings on our Farming Circle in our enlarged Education Studio, funded by the Earley Charity.

Find that special something in our shoprelax in our garden, featuring a shepherd’s hut and community growing spaces.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Museum!