Merrist Wood College

01/10/2026

🦆🦆🦆

🦆 Welly Wednesday… meet our new Call Ducks!

We’ve welcomed some new feathered faces to Merrist Wood! 🦆Our Call Ducks have been settling into their new home and have already been busy exploring, splashing about and getting to know their surroundings.

Call Ducks may be small, but they certainly make themselves heard! They’re known for their distinctive, loud call — which was originally used to attract wild ducks.

We’re looking forward to watching these little characters settle in and become part of the farm. 🦆

29/09/2026

⚠️ Merrist Wood Arena website update

We’re currently experiencing an issue with the Merrist Wood Arena website and are working to get this resolved as soon as possible.

In the meantime, please visit My Riding Life for information and bookings: https://bit.ly/4z64ysF

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

28/09/2026

🎃 The Merrist Wood Pumpkin Patch is back! 🍂👻

Pull on your wellies, round up the family and get ready for some autumn fun at our annual Merrist Wood Pumpkin Patch, taking place on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October!

Wander through the patch and choose your perfect pumpkin from thousands of different shapes and sizes – from big and bold to tiny, cute and wonderfully wonky! Pumpkins start from just £1. 🎃

There’s plenty more to enjoy:
🎃 Pick your perfect pumpkin
🚜 Climb aboard our big red tractor for an autumn photo
🐑 Meet some of our friendly farm animals
📸 Enjoy seasonal photo opportunities
👻 Take part in FREE family activities
🍂 Browse seasonal stalls
☕ Treat yourself to tasty food, drinks and autumnal goodies

Fancy dress is very welcome, so dig out those spooky costumes and make a day of it! 👻🕷️

📅 Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 October 2026
📍 Merrist Wood College, Worplesdon, Guildford
🎟️ Family tickets (2 adults + 2 children) are £26, with under-4s going FREE.

Free on-site parking is also included. Merrist Wood Events

Tickets are on sale now – book yours and join us for some pumpkin-picking family fun! 🎃🍁

👉 Book your Pumpkin Patch tickets: https://bit.ly/46SsX91

28/09/2026

🎃💐 Get creative this Halloween with some gourd-geous blooms!

Fancy trying your hand at floristry? Join us at Merrist Wood College for a relaxed and creative evening workshop celebrating all things autumn. 🍂

During our Halloween Gourd-geous Blooms workshop, you’ll transform a seasonal pumpkin into a beautiful floral arrangement, packed with autumn flowers and foliage.

With step-by-step guidance from our experienced floristry tutor, it’s perfect for beginners as well as anyone looking to brush up on their floristry skills.

📅 Tuesday 27 October 2026
🕰️ 6:30pm -9pm
📍 Merrist Wood College, Worplesdon

Come along, get creative and take home your very own autumnal centrepiece. 🎃🌿

👉 Find out more and book your place:
https://bit.ly/4h480N3

28/09/2026

⏰ Last chance to book! Parents and carers, our Activate Learning Parent Webinar is tonight! 👋

If your young person has recently started their journey with us or is considering college as their next step, join us online to find out more about:

🎓 What to expect from college life
💬 The support available to students
🤝 How we’ll support your young person throughout their time with us
❓ The answers to some of the questions parents and carers may have

📅 Monday 28 September
🕕 6 to 6.45pm
💻 Online

🔗 Book your place: https://bit.ly/3UAaZoZ

We look forward to welcoming you! 👋

25/09/2026

25/09/2026

🎓 Explore your future at Merrist Wood College and University Centre!

We’re opening our doors on Wednesday 7 October, from 4.30pm to 7pm, giving you the chance to explore our unique 400-acre campus and discover what studying at Merrist Wood could look like for you.

Whether you’re thinking about your next steps after school, exploring your course options or considering higher education, our Open Event is the perfect opportunity to:

🔍 Explore our courses and find the right path for you
🌳 Tour our specialist facilities and learning environments
👥 Meet our tutors and students and get your questions answered
🎓 Discover our Further Education, T Level and Higher Education options
🏡 Find out more about student support and our on-site accommodation

🌿 We’re working to make our events as sustainable as possible, so if you can, consider walking, cycling or using public transport to get here. 🚶‍♂️🚲🚌

📅 Wednesday 7 October 2026
🕟 4.30pm to 7pm
📍 Merrist Wood College and University Centre, Worplesdon

👉 Find out more and register here: https://bit.ly/4y9JS2M

24/09/2026

Yesterday marked a major milestone for Merrist Wood College and University Centre as we officially opened our new state-of-the-art facilities.

We were proud to welcome HM Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Neelam Dharni Devesher MBE, alongside representatives from the Department for Education, local employers, partners, students, alumni and colleagues to celebrate the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Merrist Wood.

These new facilities will help equip our learners with the skills, technology and experience they need for the industries of tomorrow.

Here’s a look back at a very special day at Merrist Wood.

24/09/2026

🎉 A new chapter for Merrist Wood College and University Centre!

We’re incredibly proud to officially open our new state-of-the-art facilities, following a £22 million investment from the Department for Education. 🌱🏗️

The new facilities were officially opened yesterday by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Neelam Dharni Devesher MBE, at a special event bringing together students, alumni, employers, partners and colleagues.

At the heart of our transformed campus are the new Norman Shaw Building, Peyto Shrubb Centre and commercial glasshouses – providing modern, industry-focused learning environments where our students can develop the skills they need for the careers of today and tomorrow.

From specialist workshops and laboratories to new technology and teaching spaces, the facilities will support our expertise across horticulture, landscaping, arboriculture, countryside management, animal management and equine, while embracing the growing importance of science, technology, digital skills and sustainability. 🌳🔬🐾

Jo Manser, Group Director of Merrist Wood College and University Centre, said: “This is the beginning of a new chapter for Merrist Wood College and University Centre, and I am incredibly excited about what we can achieve from here.”

A huge thank you to everyone who has helped bring this ambitious project to life. 💚

👉 Read the full story and discover more about this landmark investment: https://bit.ly/47hQfVU

22/09/2026

🌲 Merrist Wood is at the APF!

Our team is at the APF this week, connecting with people from across the forestry, arboriculture and the wider land-based industry.

We’re looking forward to catching up with familiar faces, making new connections and talking about opportunities through Merrist Wood — from apprenticeships, T Level Industry Placements and professional training, to opportunities to collaborate or study with us.

If you’re at the APF, come and say hello 👋

📍Find us at F6b in the Static Area | Ragley Estate, Warwickshire
📅 24–26 September 2026

https://www.apfexhibition.co.uk