Merrills Board

Welcome to the wonderful world of Merrills, a classic game steeped in history and tradition, where strategy and skill meet in an elegant dance of intellect (or it might be luck...). Though it mostly likely dates from Roman times, in these parts the game was played for centuries, often on farms during breaktimes, where rustic wooden boards were crafted in moments of respite from toil – but we also have some more special and ornate examples in the collection too.

But Ryedale Folk Museum actually has a remarkable history with this pastime. In 1987, we proudly hosted the National Merrills Championships, bringing enthusiasts together to test their strategic prowess. But the story doesn't end there.

The following year, we went even further, launching the World Merrills Championships. Suddenly, this tranquil corner of the world became something a global epicenter of Merrills excitement! With participants from across the globe, the stakes were higher than ever, as competitors squared off with their Merrills pieces. (Pretty impressive stuff!)