Part of our Best of Britain 2009

The Museum of English Rural Life at Reading 
was founded by the University of Reading in 1951 to reflect and record the changing face of farming and the countryside. 
It houses designated collections of national importance that span the full range of objects, archives, photo graphs, film and books and it forms part of the University of Reading's Museums and Collections Service.
The Museum operates as a major resource and reasearch centre of the History of Food and Farming. 
It is located opposite the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Redlands Road Reading. It is open Tuesday to Friday 9am to 5pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 2.00pm to 4.30pm.

Admission free.

Tel: 0118 378 8660 or
visit www.reading.ac.uk/merl for full details.

The Museum runs several special events throughout the year  particularly aimed at children - contact the museum's website for fuller details.

In January 2009 a special exhibition about "People of the Thames" opens and runs until 31st May 2009.