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11 April 2025
The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL) is proud to announce that its café has been recognised by The Guardian as one of the top 50 museum cafes in the UK. This accolade places The MERL alongside major national institutions including the V&A, the Courtauld, and Tate Modern.
The recognition highlights the café's commitment to quality, welcoming atmosphere, and connection to The MERL's mission of celebrating rural English heritage.
Kate Arnold-Forster, MERL Director, said: "I am delighted by this wonderful recognition for the Museum café and the hard work and dedication of our team. We hope this recognition encourages more people to visit our café and enjoy our unique collections and displays, beautiful outdoor spaces and lively programme designed to engage all ages."
The café has become a beloved destination for both museum visitors and locals seeking a peaceful retreat in Reading. Its inclusion in this national ranking reflects The MERL's growing reputation as a cultural destination that offers a complete experience extending beyond its exhibitions.
Danielle Eade, Head of Visitor Experience, commented: "Creating welcoming spaces is at the heart of what we do - not just in our café but also our garden and galleries. It's a joy to see visitors enjoying these spaces. This recognition by The Guardian reflects the passion and care that our small team puts into making every visit memorable."
The café at The Museum of English Rural Life is a charming, family-friendly space where everyone is welcome.
We proudly stock and support independent and environmentally-friendly businesses, both locally and from across the South East. Our range includes makers like Tregothnan Tea (the first tea grown and blended in Cornwall), Warings (Reading’s oldest bakery), Reads Coffee of North Dorset, and Mortimer Chocolate (hot chocolate produced here in Reading).
The café offers indoor seating and picnic tables in the Museum garden, a beautiful space and one of Reading's hidden gems.
The café accommodates many dietary requirements, with gluten free and plant-based choices across its sandwiches, sweet treats, snacks and pastries.
The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL) explores the history of the English countryside and its people. The Museum is part of the University of Reading and based on the University's London Road campus.
As one of Reading's best-reviewed days out, The MERL offers plenty of things to see and do for visitors of all ages.
The Museum is free to visit but a £5 donation is encouraged.
We are in the process of finalising our postgraduate taught courses for 2026/27 entry. In the meantime, you can view our 2025/26 courses.
