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Courses in Guildford: Merrist Wood College

View all courses in Guildford: Merrist Wood College

About the facilities

If you’re looking to enter a career in a land-based industry, or follow a passion in a land-based subject or animal management, there is no better place than our college. We are widely recognised by industry specialists for our training excellence and many successes at RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows. Our arboriculture courses attract students from far and wide, many of whom now practice all around the globe from Australia to Guernsey and Barbados. Work from the estate has been seen across the world!

Located three miles from Guildford town centre in Worplesdon, the College dates back as early as 1318. The indoor riding arena is one of the largest of any college in the country and we are home to a large, diverse range of animals in our Animal Management Centre. Our Learning Environment is a space for you to study and focus on your work. You will be able to book PCs, access resources and borrow books. Other facilities include studios and workshops for floristry, garden design, horticulture and landscaping and access to an adjoining 18-hole golf course.

Our tutors are experienced industry professionals and we also have a comprehensive student support team that can assist with applications, securing funding, careers guidance and personal tutoring, and much more!

We have various catering outlets at Merrist Wood, but you are more than welcome to bring your own should you wish. Please note, at the present time there are no catering facilities in the evening or at weekends.

Specialist resources for practical outdoor courses

On the 400-acre estate with woodlands, wetlands, livestock, gardens and grasslands, as well as a campus nursery, workshops and design studios.

We also have a football pitch, one of the largest indoor riding arenas of any college in the country and one of the top centres in the south east as well as two full accredited cross- country courses and stabling for up to 40 horses!

Our large collection of animals includes small mammals, domestic animals, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, aquatics, small aviary birds and birds of prey. We also have a fully functioning farm with rare breed sheep and cows, pigs, goats, llamas, donkeys, chickens, ducks and more. And, in 2018 we were awarded a zoo license allowing us to share our collection with the wider community.

You can also discover our excellent facilities that are open to members of the public.

Address

Merrist Wood College, Holly Lane, Worplesdon, Guildford, GU3 3PE

Opening hours

Day Opening time Closing time
Monday–Thursday 8am 5:30pm
Friday 8am 4pm

Directions

Walk and cycle 
If you can cycle to college, there is plenty of safe bike parking available on-site and cycle lanes locally.

Bus and train
The college is easily accessible by bus from Guildford, Woking, Camberley, Godalming and Farnborough.

Check online or for help planning your journey visit: journeys.travelsmartsurrey.info/

Although there is a train station in Worplesdon it is easier to travel to Merrist Wood from the main Guildford station. From there, you can catch the bus.

Car
At Merrist Wood College, the car park is located at the back of the Harris Centre.

Please note that there is no vehicle access to the college from Coombe Lane and there is strictly no parking in this road. You must access the college via Holly Lane.  If you are using a Sat Nav to get here, please use Holly Lane, Worplesdon in addition to this postcode GU3 3PE. Motorbike spaces are also available at the college.

Virtual 360 College Tour

Merrist Wood College 360 Tour

For more information, contact us.

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