Museums on Wheels is our hands-on outreach programme that takes Reading Museum and The MERL on the road to events across Reading’s communities. Made possible thanks to the Museums Partnership Reading funding from Arts Council England, Museums on Wheels brings the museums to you in a collection-sharing roadshow, offering hands-on opportunities and activities. The content of Museums on Wheels is adapted to connect with the themes of events, offering sometimes surprising and inspiring insights into our collections and community connections.
This scheme grew out of our Abbey on Wheels project in 2018, which was part of our work on the conservation and interpretation of Reading Abbey.
Painting tiles
EVENTS FOR 2024
Forbury Fiesta
Saturday 11 May 2024 in the Forbury Gardens
https://www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/things-to-do/events/reading-childrens-festival-2024/
University of Reading Community Festival
Saturday 18 May 2024, University Students Union, Whiteknights Campus
https://www.reading.ac.uk/events/Feed/2024/May/Community-Festival
Waterfest
Saturday 8 June 2024 in the Forbury Gardens
https://whatsonreading.com/venues/reading-borough-council/whats-on/reading-water-fest-2024
Pride
Saturday 31 August 2024 at King’s Meadow in Reading
https://readingpride.co.uk/
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH READING LIBRARIES 2024/25
*all 10am – 12pm
Celebrate Windrush Day
Southcote Library RG30 3QP – Sat 15 June
Whitley Library RG2 7PX – Sat 22 June
Summer Reading Challenge – Marvellous Makers
Southcote – Sat 10 Aug
Whitley – Sat 17 Aug
Celebrate Diwali (October half term)
Southcote – Sat 26 Oct
Whitley – Sat 2 Nov
Celebrate Chinese New Year
Southcote – Sat 25 Jan 2025
Whitley – Sat 1 Feb 2025
Are you holding a community event in 2024?
Do you know of an event or venue where we can spread the word about Reading Abbey, Reading Museum and The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL)? This is a community project so we would love to hear your suggestions! Please drop us a line using our enquiry form to discuss your idea further.
Talks and Outreach Visits
We also offer talks, handling presentations and outreach visits during museum open hours, Monday - Saturday 10am-4pm.
We charge for these events to cover the cost of staff, resources and transport.
Please use our enquiry form for more information.
