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About
Whether you need to hire a quiet space for a short meeting or a number of rooms for a conference, we look forward to welcoming you here at The MERL.
With the opportunity to visit the new Museum, relax in our Welcome Space or get some fresh air in our peaceful garden during break times, your meeting at The MERL will be a unique experience.
We have three light, well-equipped rooms in our Victorian Grade-II listed building, which can be hired for meetings or corporate events.
THE CONFERENCE ROOM
The Westminster Conference Room is our largest room available for hire and is ideal for up to 50 people theatre style, or 20 people boardroom style. Other layouts are available on request.
The room is fully equipped with a projector and sound system, with flipboards and other materials on request.
THE SEMINAR ROOM
The Seminar Room seats up to 12 people boardroom style. This room can also be used as a break-out space for refreshments, displays or group work.
The room is equipped with a projector and whiteboard, with flipboards and other materials on request.
THE STUDY ROOM
The Study seats up to 15 people theatre style or 8 people boardroom style.
The room is equipped with a large screen for presentations, with flipboards and other materials on request.
The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL) is owned and managed by the University of Reading and is England’s first and most extensive museum dedicated to farming, food, craft, rural life and countryside issues.
Facilities
Accessibility
- Accessible Lift
- All Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors
- Disabled Parking
- Disabled persons toilet
- Guide Dogs Permitted
- No dogs (Guide dogs accepted)
- Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
- Ramp/Level Access
- Wheelchair user accessible
Catering
- Cafe
- Catering for groups
- On-Site cafe/restaurant - We have a small cafe serving hot drinks and a selection of cakes as well as sandwiches and a lunchtime soup offer. In the summer we also offer ice-cream and cream teas. There is some indoor and plenty of outdoor seating.
- Outdoor eating area
- Picnic area
- Picnic Site
- Refreshments Available
- Vegetarians catered for
Children & Infants
- Babes in Arms
- Baby changing
- Children’s packs
- Family Friendly, Children Welcome
- Highchair(s) available
- Outdoor children’s play area
Establishment Features
- All weather attraction
- Garden / Grounds for visitors use
- Gift shop
- Groups by arrangement
- Groups welcome
- Guided tours by arrangement
- LGBT Friendly
- Meeting rooms
- No Pets
- Special Opening for Groups by Arrangement
- Toilets
Parking & Transport
- Free parking
- Off-road parking
- On Site Car Parking
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
- Railway station within 5 miles
- Railway station within walking distance
- Secure cycle parking
Payment Methods
- Approx length of visit - 2-3 hours
- Groups Accepted - Please see https://merl.reading.ac.uk/visit-us/group-visits/ for details
- MasterCard
- Open by appointment outside normal opening times - Out of hours group bookings subject to availability and charges apply
- Special group rates
- Visa
- Visa accepted
Provider Preferences
- In town/city centre
- No Smoking Attraction
Specialist Features
- Family Fun
Tours and Demonstrations
- Educational Visits Accepted
- Guided Tours Available for Groups
Travel & Trade
- Wi-fi available
