Studley College
Studley Horticultural & Agricultural College for Women was a horticultural and agricultural college for women in Warwickshire, England, which operated from 1898 until 1969.History
The college was founded by Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick. In 1898 she had founded Warwick Hostel in Reading to offer training to 'surplus women in the lighter branches of agriculture'. Warwick Hostel expanded and moved to Studley Castle in Warwickshire in 1903, becoming Studley Horticultural & Agricultural College for Women. An early student was Adela Pankhurst, and an early warden was Dr Lillias Hamilton. Students included Taki Handa, a student and instructor at Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Japan, who studied at Studley from 1906 to 1907 and designed a garden at Cowden Estate in Muckhart, Scotland. The College students undertook hard practical work in its greenhouses and vegetable gardens.
The College remained an all-women college throughout its existence, closing in 1969. The assets were used to found the Studley College Trust, a charitable trust that awards grants to students of agriculture and horticulture. The Museum of English Rural Life holds a collection of horticultural trophies and medals, and archival material relating to Studley College.
Studley Castle has since become a conference centre and wedding venue.
