A new exhibition in Reading is marking a century of countryside campaigning, spotlighting the work of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and its role in shaping the landscapes many now take for granted.
Staged at the Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL), Voices of the Countryside: 100 Years of the Campaign to Protect Rural England explores how a small pressure group founded in 1926 grew into one of the country’s most influential conservation charities.
From green belts to dark skies
Over the past century, CPRE has helped influence the creation of England’s national parks and green belts, campaigned against unchecked development, and pushed for action on issues ranging from litter to light pollution.
Its work has often unfolded behind the scenes – in planning consultations, policy briefings and persistent lobbying – but its impact is visible in protected landscapes and preserved green spaces across the country.
Dr Ollie Douglas, Curator of MERL Collections, said the exhibition highlights how grassroots campaigning has shaped the countryside people continue to value today.
“For 100 years, CPRE has been at the forefront of protecting our countryside,” he said. “From securing the national parks we treasure to advocating for dark skies and accessible green spaces, their influence has been profound.”
A century of advocacy
Visitors can explore the exhibition in the museum’s Staircase Hall, where archival material and displays trace CPRE’s evolution from early preservation campaigns to modern debates around housing, sustainability and rural livelihoods.
Roger Mortlock, chief executive of CPRE, described the centenary as both a celebration and a call to action.
“When the countryside is under threat, people step up to defend it,” he said. “The next chapter will demand collaboration, courage and imagination – but the last 100 years show that lasting change is possible.”
Radical voices of rural England
Alongside the main exhibition, The MERL is launching Radical Rural, a trail through the museum’s galleries highlighting artists, writers and movements that have championed rural communities and landscapes.
The trail features a mix of rural artworks, protest banners and even a costume of Old Crockern – the legendary folk spirit said to protect Dartmoor – offering a reminder that England’s countryside has long inspired both activism and imagination.
Voices of the Countryside and the Radical Rural trail run until 24 May 2026.
