The Museum of English Rural Life, University of Reading, 6 Redlands Road, Reading RG1 5EX
Details
Accessibility
https://merl.reading.ac.uk/visit-us/access/
"ENTERING THE MUSEUM: The MERL is located on Redlands Road, Reading, RG1 5EX. Our Reception Desk is located through the main, step free entrance and staff will be here to welcome you. More detailed information on getting here can be found here https://merl.reading.ac.uk/visit-us/getting-here/
PARKING: There are two bays reserved for disabled parking in front of the Museum, and three available in the adjoining Acacia Road.
WHEELCHAIR USERS: We have a step free entrance with automatic door to the museum. The museum is fully wheelchair-accessible with lifts for all stairs.An adult-sized wheelchair is available for free loan during your visit. Please ask reception staff, or let us know in advance that you would like to use it and we can have it ready for you.
PORTABLE SEATING FOR USE IN THE GALLERIES: Should you wish to use them, foldaway and portable stools are available for use during your visit. These can be collected at various points within the galleries.
TOILETS: We have two fully accessible toilets. Our toilets are cleaned regularly throughout the day.
CHANGING FACILITIES: We have baby changing facilities in our two accessible toilets. The museum is not able to provide hoists or adult changing facilities. Please follow this link for the closest facilities to the museum: https://www.changing-places.org/
USING OUR GARDEN: We have some gravel paths though most of our garden is laid to lawn with some woodland areas. In bad weather the garden can get muddy and may not be suitable for wheelchair users or anybody unstable on their feet.
SENSORY ACCESS: Assistance available for those with hearing needs at our talks and events
Assistance dogs welcome
Large-print guides for our permanent displays are available on request. Please ask reception staff on arrival, or let us know in advance that you would like to use it, and we can have it ready for you."
Brief description
https://merl.reading.ac.uk/visit-us/interactive-maps-and-galleries/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_of_English_Rural_Life
"The Museum of English Rural Life, also known as The MERL, is a museum, library and archive dedicated to recording the changing face of farming and the countryside in England. The museum is run by the University of Reading, and is situated in Redlands Road to the rear of the institution's London Road Campus near to the centre of Reading in southern England. The location was formerly known as East Thorpe House and then St Andrew's Hall. It is an accredited museum and accredited archive as recognised by Arts Council England and the National Archives.[1][2][3][4][5]
The Museum houses designated collections of national importance that span the full range of objects, archives, photographs, film and books. It is also the location of the University of Reading's special collections archive, housing hundreds of collections of rare books, manuscripts, typescripts and other objects of importance. The collections hold over 25,000 objects, almost all of which are on display, and which provide a material record of rural England covering 1750 to the present day. It cares for a collection of livestock portraiture, representations of rural life, agricultural hand tools, ploughs, farm machinery, sewing machines and other equipment.[1][2][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]
The museum has a specialist library and houses other collections including the library of the Tools & Trades History Society.[18]
Address
The Museum of English Rural Life
University of Reading
6 Redlands Road
Reading
RG1 5EX
Phone
0118 3788660
Website
https://merl.reading.ac.uk/visit-us/
Directions
https://merl.reading.ac.uk/visit-us/getting-here/
Opening Times
Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change
See https://merl.reading.ac.uk/visit-us/
Transport
For further travel information please see: www.traveline.info
Or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
(Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company's access charge)
Amenities
The MERL galleries, shop, café, garden, and reading room.
https://merl.reading.ac.uk/visit-us/families/
https://merl.reading.ac.uk/visit-us/galleries/model-farming/
"TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT FARMING
Many of us first encounter agriculture through the tiny world of farm toys and scale models. These little replicas help shape our understanding of life in the countryside and play an important role in charting rural change.
Learn more about the role of models in promoting and selling farm machinery. Take a peek at over 150 examples drawn largely from a collection of farm toys given to the Museum by Peter-Wade-Martins (find out more about all the items on display here), as made by an enormous range of UK companies (find out more about UK farm toy manufacturers here). Try your own hand at carpet farming.
This gallery might transport you back to your own childhood, or help you step into the playful shoes of Pippa Hughes with her play farm or Jon Hynard and his pedal tractors.
Exciting collections visible here include the Museum’s own full-size ‘little grey Fergie’, teaching and manufacturing models of early farm equipment, and the first ever mass-produced toy tractor.
DISABLED ACCESS
BABY CHANGING
SHOP
DISABLED VISITOR PARKING
OUTDOOR PICNIC AREAS
GARDEN
CAR PARK (LIMITED SPACES*)
VISITORS ROOM
READING ROOM
FULLY ACCESSIBLE WC
REFRESHMENTS; If you’re looking for something more substantial, hot and cold lunches are also available in the University of Reading bar, The Dairy next door. Please note that The Dairy operates cash-less tills.
Everyone is welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the garden, where several picnic benches are available for your use."
Travel Information
For further travel information please see: www.traveline.info
Or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
(Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company's access charge)
Location
Nearest Venues
*Distances are calculated in a straight line from the current venue, please allow extra time/distance based on available paths or roads.