Jane Austen exhibits show author’s countryside connection

The Museum of English Rural Life is joining in with global celebrations to mark the 250th birthday of Jane Austen.

From Tuesday September 9, The MERL – part of the University of Reading - will feature a range of new exhibits and activities dedicated to the Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility author.

Among the new things to visit at The MERL include:  

Isabel Hughes (Associate Director, The Museum of English Rural Life), said: "2025 is a special anniversary for devotees of Jane Austen, marking 250 years since her birth. Austen knew Reading and its surrounding villages, having been at school here and as a regular visitor to friends in Kintbury.  

“The MERL is delighted to launch a special trail that explores Jane Austen’s connections to the countryside, drawing on her letters, novels and life. Visitors will see an Austen first edition as well as one of her precious letters, both illustrating her sharp observations and wit."

Professor Paddy Bullard, of the University of Reading’s Department of English Literature, and Isabel Hughes, will also discuss Jane Austen’s countryside connections in a future episode of The MERL’s podcast, Absolute Units. Dr Bullard appeared in a BBC2 documentary on Jane Austen, and in May, curated a stall highlighting Jane Austen’s work at the University of Reading’s Community Festival. 

The celebrations at The MERL come as the author’s legacy is celebrated elsewhere in the town. Reading Museum will be putting on a series of events, tours and visits to the Abbey Gateway and Reading Abbey Quarter to tell the story of Jane’s time at school here as part of Reading’s Jane Austen 250 celebrations.

The Museum of English Rural Life, also known as The MERL, is a museum, library and archive dedicated to recording the changing face of farming and the countryside in England