The Museum of English Rural Life
@themerl.bsky.social
University of Reading. We explore the history of the English countryside and its people. Chaotic Good.
https://merl.reading.ac.uk/
https://merl.reading.ac.uk/
Pinned
Hey Bluesky, send us your best ducks
(Happy #InternationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay to all who celebrate)
(Happy #InternationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay to all who celebrate)
Reposted by The Museum of English Rural Life
#Uplift thread 👇🏽
Hey Bluesky, send us your best ducks
(Happy #InternationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay to all who celebrate)
(Happy #InternationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay to all who celebrate)
January 6, 2026 at 3:55 PM
#Uplift thread 👇🏽
Reposted by The Museum of English Rural Life
Awesome thread for #internationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay
Hey Bluesky, send us your best ducks
(Happy #InternationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay to all who celebrate)
(Happy #InternationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay to all who celebrate)
January 6, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Awesome thread for #internationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay
thank you to all the excellent people of Bluesky for well and truly giving a duck
Hey Bluesky, send us your best ducks
(Happy #InternationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay to all who celebrate)
(Happy #InternationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay to all who celebrate)
January 6, 2026 at 2:41 PM
thank you to all the excellent people of Bluesky for well and truly giving a duck
Reposted by The Museum of English Rural Life
Even though you didn’t ask for it, I just so happened to take some duck pics today & I’d love to show you! Happy #InternationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay to all who celebrate.
January 6, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Even though you didn’t ask for it, I just so happened to take some duck pics today & I’d love to show you! Happy #InternationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay to all who celebrate.
Reposted by The Museum of English Rural Life
Hey Bluesky, send us your best ducks
(Happy #InternationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay to all who celebrate)
(Happy #InternationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay to all who celebrate)
January 6, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Hey Bluesky, send us your best ducks
(Happy #InternationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay to all who celebrate)
(Happy #InternationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay to all who celebrate)
Reposted by The Museum of English Rural Life
Reposted by The Museum of English Rural Life
Happy 3/4 of a century to the MERL!!
Happy New Year everyone! We're back for another year and still in our celebrating era because we just turned 75, which is a grand age for anyone, even a museum
Happy New Year to everyone and a very happy 75th birthday to @themerl.bsky.social, which came into being officially on 1 January 1951 (the same day as the first national broadcast of The Archers).
January 5, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Happy 3/4 of a century to the MERL!!
Happy New Year everyone! We're back for another year and still in our celebrating era because we just turned 75, which is a grand age for anyone, even a museum
Happy New Year to everyone and a very happy 75th birthday to @themerl.bsky.social, which came into being officially on 1 January 1951 (the same day as the first national broadcast of The Archers).
January 5, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Happy New Year everyone! We're back for another year and still in our celebrating era because we just turned 75, which is a grand age for anyone, even a museum
Reposted by The Museum of English Rural Life
Ban this sick filth.
also, as is tradition, we will be soliciting some unsolicited solicited duck pics on Tues 6 Jan for next year's #InternationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay. so, see you then. if you give a duck
December 20, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Ban this sick filth.
Reposted by The Museum of English Rural Life
CALENDAR. UPDATED.
December 19, 2025 at 5:01 PM
CALENDAR. UPDATED.
Reposted by The Museum of English Rural Life
also, as is tradition, we will be soliciting some unsolicited solicited duck pics on Tues 6 Jan for next year's #InternationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay. so, see you then. if you give a duck
December 19, 2025 at 4:37 PM
also, as is tradition, we will be soliciting some unsolicited solicited duck pics on Tues 6 Jan for next year's #InternationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay. so, see you then. if you give a duck
Thanks for being part of another very good, normal and rural year here at The Museum of English Rural Life <3
We'd like to wish you a very happy holidays, and a Merry Christmas to all who celebrate.
Our socials will now enter hibernation until 5 Jan 2026. See you then!
We'd like to wish you a very happy holidays, and a Merry Christmas to all who celebrate.
Our socials will now enter hibernation until 5 Jan 2026. See you then!
December 19, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Thanks for being part of another very good, normal and rural year here at The Museum of English Rural Life <3
We'd like to wish you a very happy holidays, and a Merry Christmas to all who celebrate.
Our socials will now enter hibernation until 5 Jan 2026. See you then!
We'd like to wish you a very happy holidays, and a Merry Christmas to all who celebrate.
Our socials will now enter hibernation until 5 Jan 2026. See you then!
Reposted by The Museum of English Rural Life
I'll be there, stomping and helping nature to boot!
We'll be exploring nature guardians, wild service, and radical ideas @themerl.bsky.social next year. So, stomping 2025 out is the perfect way to let new ideas grow in the galleries in 2026.
If you're coming, don't forget to wash your wellies!
We'll be exploring nature guardians, wild service, and radical ideas @themerl.bsky.social next year. So, stomping 2025 out is the perfect way to let new ideas grow in the galleries in 2026.
If you're coming, don't forget to wash your wellies!
Near Reading? Celebrate the winter solstice this Sunday morning by joining the Fobney Marshians on a massive marsh stomp, improving the habitat for local wildlife!
Wear wellies, dress warm, and find out more on the Fobney Marshians' website:
ruralreading.com
Wear wellies, dress warm, and find out more on the Fobney Marshians' website:
ruralreading.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:33 PM
I'll be there, stomping and helping nature to boot!
We'll be exploring nature guardians, wild service, and radical ideas @themerl.bsky.social next year. So, stomping 2025 out is the perfect way to let new ideas grow in the galleries in 2026.
If you're coming, don't forget to wash your wellies!
We'll be exploring nature guardians, wild service, and radical ideas @themerl.bsky.social next year. So, stomping 2025 out is the perfect way to let new ideas grow in the galleries in 2026.
If you're coming, don't forget to wash your wellies!
Near Reading? Celebrate the winter solstice this Sunday morning by joining the Fobney Marshians on a massive marsh stomp, improving the habitat for local wildlife!
Wear wellies, dress warm, and find out more on the Fobney Marshians' website:
ruralreading.com
Wear wellies, dress warm, and find out more on the Fobney Marshians' website:
ruralreading.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Near Reading? Celebrate the winter solstice this Sunday morning by joining the Fobney Marshians on a massive marsh stomp, improving the habitat for local wildlife!
Wear wellies, dress warm, and find out more on the Fobney Marshians' website:
ruralreading.com
Wear wellies, dress warm, and find out more on the Fobney Marshians' website:
ruralreading.com
Here's a good fact to impress your friends and loved ones this Christmas: dragons are real and @norskfolkemuseum.bsky.social can prove it
Recently, we at @norskfolkemuseum.bsky.social had a visit from @ostfoldmuseene.bsky.social to look at the dragon we are keeping in our collection. Yes, we have A REAL DRAGON BONE IN OUR COLLECTION! #museumlife
December 18, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Here's a good fact to impress your friends and loved ones this Christmas: dragons are real and @norskfolkemuseum.bsky.social can prove it
*chef's kiss*
Do you remember this?
Back in 2019 *this post* caused quite a stir on social media.
Back in 2019 *this post* caused quite a stir on social media.
December 17, 2025 at 12:10 PM
*chef's kiss*
Reposted by The Museum of English Rural Life
Jane Austen: Verdure, Culture, and Comfort (with Paddy Bullard and Isabel Hughes) | From @themerl.bsky.social
Plenty on the connections between Austen and my home town, Reading
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T20G...
Plenty on the connections between Austen and my home town, Reading
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T20G...
Jane Austen: Verdure, Culture, and Comfort (with Paddy Bullard and Isabel Hughes)
YouTube video by The Museum of English Rural Life
www.youtube.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Jane Austen: Verdure, Culture, and Comfort (with Paddy Bullard and Isabel Hughes) | From @themerl.bsky.social
Plenty on the connections between Austen and my home town, Reading
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T20G...
Plenty on the connections between Austen and my home town, Reading
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T20G...
Reposted by The Museum of English Rural Life
Do check out Professor Paddy Bullard on Absolute Units to hear some fascinating insights about Austen and her connections to the area!
New Absolute Units episode is here!
We’re back with Professor Paddy Bullard (University of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (The MERL), with a bonus episode marking 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth.
Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts:
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
We’re back with Professor Paddy Bullard (University of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (The MERL), with a bonus episode marking 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth.
Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts:
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Absolute Units podcast - The Museum of English Rural Life
Come for the big sheep. Stay for the history of rural England and its people.
merl.reading.ac.uk
December 16, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Do check out Professor Paddy Bullard on Absolute Units to hear some fascinating insights about Austen and her connections to the area!
Reposted by The Museum of English Rural Life
The final instalment of 2025. We’ll be back in 2026, wherever you get your podcasts.
New Absolute Units episode is here!
We’re back with Professor Paddy Bullard (University of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (The MERL), with a bonus episode marking 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth.
Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts:
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
We’re back with Professor Paddy Bullard (University of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (The MERL), with a bonus episode marking 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth.
Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts:
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Absolute Units podcast - The Museum of English Rural Life
Come for the big sheep. Stay for the history of rural England and its people.
merl.reading.ac.uk
December 16, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The final instalment of 2025. We’ll be back in 2026, wherever you get your podcasts.
Reposted by The Museum of English Rural Life
Our last podcast of 2025! Enjoy <3 <3
New Absolute Units episode is here!
We’re back with Professor Paddy Bullard (University of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (The MERL), with a bonus episode marking 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth.
Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts:
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
We’re back with Professor Paddy Bullard (University of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (The MERL), with a bonus episode marking 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth.
Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts:
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Absolute Units podcast - The Museum of English Rural Life
Come for the big sheep. Stay for the history of rural England and its people.
merl.reading.ac.uk
December 16, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Our last podcast of 2025! Enjoy <3 <3
New Absolute Units episode is here!
We’re back with Professor Paddy Bullard (University of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (The MERL), with a bonus episode marking 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth.
Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts:
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
We’re back with Professor Paddy Bullard (University of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (The MERL), with a bonus episode marking 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth.
Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts:
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Absolute Units podcast - The Museum of English Rural Life
Come for the big sheep. Stay for the history of rural England and its people.
merl.reading.ac.uk
December 16, 2025 at 12:27 PM
New Absolute Units episode is here!
We’re back with Professor Paddy Bullard (University of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (The MERL), with a bonus episode marking 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth.
Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts:
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
We’re back with Professor Paddy Bullard (University of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (The MERL), with a bonus episode marking 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth.
Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts:
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Reposted by The Museum of English Rural Life
if you like our posts you will LOVE our merch, featuring (among other delights) an absolutely giant hog
merl-shop.co.uk/shop/livesto...
merl-shop.co.uk/shop/livesto...
December 12, 2025 at 12:14 PM
if you like our posts you will LOVE our merch, featuring (among other delights) an absolutely giant hog
merl-shop.co.uk/shop/livesto...
merl-shop.co.uk/shop/livesto...
'AI is coming' I tell the museum stakeholders as I proudly cut the ribbon of our new Artificial Insemination exhibition
December 12, 2025 at 11:03 AM
'AI is coming' I tell the museum stakeholders as I proudly cut the ribbon of our new Artificial Insemination exhibition
You're going to see lots of Jane Austen content this week, in the run-up to Austen's 250th birthday. But there's only place where you'll answer the hardest-hitting Austen questions, like whether or not Mr Collins really is a wrong'un: The Museum of English Rural Life
December 12, 2025 at 10:58 AM
You're going to see lots of Jane Austen content this week, in the run-up to Austen's 250th birthday. But there's only place where you'll answer the hardest-hitting Austen questions, like whether or not Mr Collins really is a wrong'un: The Museum of English Rural Life