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College Life

Just a short bus ride from Guildford town centre in Worplesdon, Merrist Wood College is a 400-acre, multi-award- winning college that specialises in the land-based industries.

The tutors really believed in me which encouraged me and pushed me to do the best I can. Alice, Sport and Coaching

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

If you’re looking to enter a career in a land-based industry, 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. Work from the college has been seen across the world! 

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. Other facilities include specially designed studios and workshops for floristry, garden design, Equine Arena , horticulture and landscaping and access to an adjoining 18-hole golf course.  

Activate Learning provides a “calm, welcoming and inclusive learning environment” where learners “enjoy their learning and are respectful of their peers and teachers.” Ofsted 2022

Success rates are higher than the national benchmarks, and our tutors are experienced industry professionals. To help with the transition to college, we also have a comprehensive student support team that can assist with applications, securing funding, careers guidance and personal tutoring, and much more!

Why Merrist Wood College?

  • Our college is at an easily accessible town-centre location and contains the kind of specialised facilities you’ll see in the real world of work.
  • We nurture a mature atmosphere of independence to help you reach your goals, whatever they may be.
  • 80+

    courses available at all levels

  • 400

    acres of multi-award-winning outdoor classrooms 

  • 700+

    years of teaching; our college dates back to 1318

View our facilities

Our Campus

Merrist Wood College has a wide range of facilities to make your education and training as practical and relevant as possible. 

The college benefits from some exceptional resources, which replicate real-working environments so you’re always putting into practice the theory that you’ve learned.