Welcome to Suffolk Rural, a haven for education nestled in the scenic beauty of Otley, Suffolk.
As a distinguished campus of Suffolk New College, we invite you to explore a diverse array of courses in Agriculture, Arboriculture, Animal Care, Equine Studies, Horticulture & Floristry, Construction, and Inclusive Learning. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature as you nurture your passion for the rural landscape and acquire valuable skills.
The campus is located in the heart of the countryside and benefits from a range of specialist vocational workshops and outdoor facilities, as well as general college buildings.
Agriculture students spend time on the farm to support their programmes of study.
The farm is on-site and has access to approximately 100 acres of land for both livestock and crop production. Agriculture training is supported by our close relationship with Jimmy’s Farm, who are based locally.
The campus has areas of woodland and an industry-standard, fully-equipped workshop. We have extensive partnerships for off-site working in many of the large estates in Suffolk. Seasoned wood is now sold from the campus.
There are a wide range of courses for full-time students, part-time students, and apprentices, who have access to the facilities at Suffolk Rural. We have extensive greenhouses, polytunnels, gardens, laboratories, allotments, and retail sales on-campus.
Horticultural training is supported by Thompson and Morgan, a successful national company, who are based nearby who we work with to support the growing of their Chelsea Flower Show plants and garden designs.
Students have the opportunity to take part in shows and competitive activity, and to visit historic gardens. All full-time students have work experience opportunities.
Suffolk Rural’s Animal Studies unit is continually growing and evolving, with new species being regularly added. Some of our newest residents include our two rescued Meerkats, Billy and Bobby. We have also recently seen the arrival of four rescued Chinchillas and an African Pygmy Hedgehog.
Our purpose-built facility houses a huge variety of exciting reptile species, amphibians and invertebrates; providing our students a plethora of opportunities and experiences whilst working to care for them. The unit also has a specialised room dedicated to housing exotic, nocturnal species and an aquatic species room where students can observe and care for a range of fish, crustaceans and even Axolotls.
We house a vast array of birds, including four hand-reared Conures, of which the students can provide the daily care for.
Furthermore, students are able to work closely with a large array of small mammals including rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, and many more.
The Animal Unit houses a variety of different learning spaces, including our dog grooming parlour, outdoor bird aviaries, and grazing paddocks for our Alpacas and Goats.
The Animal unit is involved with two major projects, including a rare breeds breeding programme for our Golden Guernsey Goats. Within the first year of the project, we have successfully bred 3 registered nanny Kids and continue to work closely on this.
Our modern equestrian facilities comprises of a 40m x 25m indoor school with a viewing area and a 60m x 40m flood lit outdoor, all-weather arena. Other facilities include a full set of BSJA show-jumps, dressage boards, and markers – and, of course, stables for the horses that board on-site.
It’s a well-connected campus, with an extensive and ever-expanding network of direct bus routes linking Otley to all parts of Suffolk and Essex.
Come and visit us on one of our college Open Events, where you can find out more about our courses, check out our facilities and speak to current learners and staff.
