The Museum of English Rural Life is a part of the University of Reading and works in partnership with Reading Museum as the Arts Council England-funded Museums Partnership Reading. The museum uses its diverse collections to explore the skills and experiences of rural people, past and present.

The museum explores the cultural significance of the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller community in the English countryside. It raises questions about the differences between their traditions and those of non-Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller people, and who determines these distinctions.

The museum offers a community programme that explores how men's mental health can be supported through gardening in groups. This initiative aims to provide a therapeutic outlet for individuals and promote well-being through outdoor activities.

The museum showcases the contributions of Lady Eve Balfour, one of the earliest organic farmers, and the co-founder of the Soil Association. Women continue to play a key role in the organic farming movement, with organic farms employing more women than chemical farming. The museum also explores the connections between British agricultural influence in East Africa.