Piece together the charming and nostalgic faces of England’s green and pleasant land from the historic objects of this university museum.
The Museum of English Rural Life paints a portrait of the changes and developments in farming and the countryside. It tells the story of England’s rural history through photography, artifacts, archives and films that are spread across a variety of exhibits. Make your way through the many displays for a glimpse into the rich traditions of the English landscape.
Relax in the site’s scenic gardens on a sunny afternoon as you admire the redbrick buildings of the University of Reading, which runs the museum. Enter the complex and browse its vast collection that comprises agricultural tools, tractors, engines and all types of machines used for farming. The museum was founded in 1951.
Bring your kids to play with informative and interactive games, allowing them to perform digital versions of key farming practices such as crop rotation and shepherding. On Fridays, leave your toddlers with the fun and educational Friday Fledglings group. Enjoy snacks and drinks at the café in the museum building.
Temporary exhibits and talks in the museum have covered such themes as marshes, wool and Brexit’s effect on the countryside. Browse some of the intriguing books available in the museum library. Buy souvenirs and gifts on display in the museum shop. Watch people go by and chat with the students to learn about university life in Reading.
Visit from Tuesday through Sunday when the museum opens to the public from morning until late afternoon. Enter for free or make a donation for site upkeep.
The Museum of English Rural Life is located on the southern flank of the London Road Campus of the University of Reading, which is in the southeastern part of the city center. Get a bus to a stop in the area or walk south for 20 minutes from the Reading railway station. See other nearby sights, such as the Reading Abbey Ruins, Forbury Gardens and the South Street Art Center.
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