Visit us
The University of Reading Art Collection provides access to a wide variety of art from the 16th century through to the present day. Based in the same building as the Museum of English Rural Life, there is also a beautiful garden and a thoughtfully-stocked shop and café.
Our temporary display space hosts a rolling programme. These displays highlight the strength and breadth of this dynamic Collection. To find out more, see our What’s On.
Opened in 2020, the Art Study Room is a designated space for working with our fantastic collections. We also make our collections accessible online in lots of ways, including through our digital guide.
You can also:
- learn more within the University Special Collections, available via the Reading Room
- explore the galleries of the Museum of English Rural Life
- relax or work in The Nook, developed in partnership with students from the University of Reading
- find that special something in our shop or cafe
- relax in our garden, featuring a shepherd’s hut, play-on tractor and community growing spaces
We look forward to welcoming you!
Opening Hours
Art Study Room
The majority of the University of Reading Art Collection is accessible via appointment only. Availability is between Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm.
Displays
The display space next to the Art Study Room is accessible to the general public. It is open between Tuesday – Sunday 10am to 5pm.
A selection of artworks are also on display around Whiteknights Campus. Click here for a map showing the locations of art on campus.
Shop, Café & Garden
The Art Study Room is accessed via the reception of The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL), which has a shop, café and garden.
These are open:
Tuesday – Friday 9am to 5pm
Saturday & Sunday – 10am to 5pm
University Closure Days
The Art Study Room is closed on Bank Holidays and on University Closures Days at Christmas and Easter. For a full list of University Closure Days click here, and please contact us to avoid disappointment.
Getting Here
Sat nav users, please use the postcode RG1 5EX
Parking
We encourage visitors to use alternative methods of transport to get to us, but if you need to come by car, some parking is available.
There is a small car park for visitors at the front of our building, with limited spaces.
Visitors are also welcome to use the University Acacia Road car park adjacent to the Museum. Visitors without a University parking permit must collect a permit from the Museum reception, to be displayed in your car. During University term time and on Friday mornings this car park can be very busy.
Some street parking is available on Redlands Road. There is a maximum stay of 2 hours. Due to the proximity of the Hospital, this parking is in high demand.
The closest public car park is the Queens Road car park.
Reading’s mainline station has recently undergone a major refurbishment, making travelling to the town by train easier and more enjoyable. Reading is easily accessible by regular, fast trains from London Paddington, as well as via London Waterloo. It is well connected by routes from the North, South and West via Bournemouth, Bristol, Oxford, Guildford and Basingstoke.
Visit Trainline to help plan your journey to Reading by train
Reading Buses operate several services which stop close to the Museum.
From the station and Reading town centre:
Leopard 3 or Scarlet 9 from stop AS at the station. Get off the bus outside the Reading Berkshire Hospital on Craven Road or as soon as the bus turns right onto Addington Road.
From there, it is a 3 minute walk to The MERL:
- Go to the end of Addington Road and turn right on to Redlands Road
- Walk down and cross at the zebra crossing
- Walk 200m down the road and you will find The MERL on your left.
Claret 21 or 21A from stop EJ. Get off the bus at Crown Place passage stop on Kendrick Road.
From there it is a 3 minute walk to The MERL:
- Continue a few metres up the road and turn left into Crown Place passage, just before the Abbey School
- The passage becomes Acacia Road car park
- Continue down the side of the Museum building to the end of the road and the entrance is on the right.
Visit Reading Buses for details or use Google Maps to plan your journey by bus
Use Google Maps to plan your route to The MERL.
We have a secure bike rack in the car park by the main entrance to the Museum.
We are about a 20 minute walk from Reading station.
The walk from The University’s Whiteknights campus takes 15-20 minutes.
Use Google Maps to plan your route to The MERL.
Facilities and Access
The Art Study Room and Display Space are accessible to a wide range of visitors and we always strive to meet the access needs of everyone who visits us. If you have a specific need which you would like to ask us about, please contact us.
Digital Access and Copying
We also make our collections accessible online in lots of ways; see our digital access guide. In addition, our professional team can provide high quality copies of items from our collections, whether for research, publication or just personal interest. See here for more details.
Physical and Sensory Accessibility
- Disabled access throughout the building, including a step free entrance with automatic door and wheelchair lifts for all stairs
- Large print labels
- Disabled visitor parking
- Fully accessible toilets
- Assistance dogs welcome
Travel
We encourage visitors to travel by foot, bike and public transport wherever possible.
- Car Park (limited spaces)
- Secure bike rack
Facilities and general
- Baby changing
- A small café serving sandwiches, snacks and hot drinks
- High chairs for café
- Garden with picnic benches
- The Nook, a quiet space for reading and relaxing
- Lockers
Group Visits
We welcome group visits, so please contact us to find out what we can offer!
Advance booking is essential for all. However due to limited space we advise groups over the size of 6 to book as far ahead as you can to avoid disappointment.
Parking for minibuses can be reserved in advance in our car park. Parking for coaches can be arranged on the University campus, but must be pre-booked.
To make a booking enquiry, please email artcollection@reading.ac.uk.
Refreshments
The MERL Café
The Art Study Room is accessed via the reception of The Museum of English Rural Life, which has a small café. Please take a look at The MERL’s refreshments page for further details on what is currently available from their café.
The Dairy
If you’re looking for something more substantial, hot and cold lunches are also available in the University of Reading bar, The Dairy next door. (Please note that The Dairy is now operating cashless tills.) You are also welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the garden, where several picnic benches are available.