Museum of English Rural Life Cafe

A welcoming café set within The Museum of English Rural Life, offering hot and cold drinks, light bites, and sweet treats to enjoy indoors or in the beautiful garden.

Located at the heart of The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL), this café offers a relaxed and family-friendly space to enjoy a range of refreshments. Whether you’re visiting the museum or simply looking for a peaceful spot, the café provides a unique setting with indoor seating and access to the museum’s garden.

Serving a selection of hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, snacks, and sweet treats, MERL share our passion for celebrating local and sustainable food that tells the story of our countryside. The café is known for its welcoming atmosphere and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top museum cafés by The Guardian, reflecting its quality offering and strong connection to the museum experience. The wonderful shop offers a range of curated gifts, homewares and interesting food and drink.

The MERL Cafe is uniquely run by our wonderful colleagues and volunteers at the Museum rather than our Dining team. We are working ever closer with the MERL team on ensuring consistent food experiences for all across the University, but for now you’ll need to contact them directly with any queries about the Cafe. We are sorry that we can’t currently take Clever Cuisine or Campus Cash payments at MERL.

Good to Know

Indoor & outdoor seating

Enjoy your food and drink inside the café or outside in the museum garden, a calm green space ideal for relaxing, complete with chickens and a play-on tractor for little ones.

Locally sourced products

The café stocks a range of food and drink from independent and environmentally conscious suppliers, supporting local businesses.

Family-friendly

A welcoming environment for all ages, with access to the museum’s outdoor spaces. Highchairs are available.

Vegetarian, vegan & gluten-free options

A variety of dietary options are available across the menu.

Sustainable approach

We focus on reducing waste and supporting environmentally friendly practices.

FAQs

Do I need to visit the museum to use the café?

No, the café is open to museum visitors and the general public. Visiting the museum is free.

What kind of food is available?

The menu includes drinks, sandwiches, snacks and cakes, with options changing regularly.

Is there outdoor seating?

Yes, seating is available in the museum garden as well as inside the café.

Opening Hours

Closed now

• Saturday (Today)
  10:00 - 17:00
• Sunday
  10:00 - 17:00
• Monday Closed
• Tuesday
  09:00 - 17:00
• Wednesday
  09:00 - 17:00
• Thursday
  09:00 - 17:00
• Friday
  09:00 - 17:00

* May not be the standard opening time.