Authored by Clarence (Singapore), MSc Living Planet with Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
When Imperial scholars envision Silwood Park, they see a vibrant, enigmatic, and verdant campus bustling with fascinating flora and fauna, distinct from those in South Kensington or White City. In numerous respects, they are right, as each depiction of Silwood Park stands accurate!
As a member of this lesser-recognized Imperial community, I strive to underscore the student experience, activities, and camaraderie at our natural parkland campus located in Ascot, Berkshire.
Presenting Silwood Park
Silwood Park serves as Imperial’s outdoor research facility, covering 77 hectares and encompassing environments such as freshwater streams, lakes, an “ancient” forest, and expansive meadows. A brief investigation on iNaturalist, an application for cataloging and sharing biodiversity observations globally, indicates that 1,436 species of plants, animals, and fungi have been recorded on the campus, while eBird reflects 111 bird species documented thus far.
Notably, Silwood Park hosts numerous long-standing field research endeavors, including the Nash’s Field Experiment and the Blue Tit Project, both of which are prominent on-site initiatives.
Student Experience at Silwood Park
The campus mainly accommodates postgraduate students with interests in ecology, conservation, and evolutionary studies. We engage in various clubs based at Silwood Park, such as:
- Chicken Club – tending to chickens raised behind our dormitories
- Book Club – discussing interesting reads on a regular basis
- Gardening Club – overseeing allotments in our community garden
- Conservation Club – arranging nature walks and conservation efforts for Silwood Park students.
As part of the broader Imperial student body, many of us also actively engage in clubs based in South Kensington!
Informally, we have sports groups including badminton, basketball, and pickleball (my personal favorite!), which take place on the multi-use games arena (MUGA) on campus or at indoor sports facilities in nearby towns like Bracknell or Ascot.
In addition to club activities and classes, we host a variety of community-driven events on campus. Silwood Park boasts its own student council that organizes and coordinates such activities, fostering a lively and thrilling student atmosphere! Recently, we conducted the Silwood language exchange, where our diverse community exchanged languages and cultures over several weeks, and held our annual Chinese New Year celebration, where we prepared dumplings and couplets to usher in the new lunar year. We also enjoyed community-organized celebrations for global events (like Carnival) or simply for the pleasure of festivities.
My favorite campus event is the weekly pub quiz, coordinated by our student body. It’s a Silwood tradition that the quiz loser organizes the next one, and I can proudly say I hold the record for the most quizzes set this year. Even though I’ve lost many quizzes due to my limited general trivia knowledge, the delightful company and a pint of beer always make it enjoyable.
Silwood Park: My Sanctuary Away From Home
Although situated a 30-minute stroll from civilization (e.g., the train station and nearest village), life at Silwood Park is never dull or deficient. Along with a host of events and activities, we enjoy a friendly, inviting community of students from across the globe. We share a passion for nature, our stunning campus, and each other’s companionship. We form a close community relishing in stargazing during the chilly winter months in the open field beside our bar, observing birds and mammals visiting our windows, and enjoying moments with fellow nature enthusiasts.
Most evenings, I prepare meals with my close friend from India, who shares my fondness for Asian cuisine and birdwatching. We are usually joined by friends residing just a minute’s walk away in adjacent halls. After dinner, we typically engage in board games or watch films together. Residing on Silwood Park Campus epitomizes a serene, tranquil, and idyllic lifestyle. In winter, this is