Written by Clarence (Singapore), MSc Living Planet specializing in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation
When students from Imperial consider Silwood Park, they picture a vibrant, enchanting, and green campus full of distinctive animals and plants, which sets it apart from South Kensington or White City. In many ways, their perceptions hold true – each representation of Silwood Park is genuine!
As a spokesperson for this lesser-known Imperial community, I seek to shed light on the student experience, activities, and community within our natural parkland campus located in Ascot, Berkshire.
Introducing Silwood Park
Silwood Park serves as Imperial’s open-air laboratory, covering 77 hectares and encompassing environments such as freshwater streams, lakes, an “ancient” forest, and expansive grasslands. A straightforward search on iNaturalist, an app for documenting and sharing biodiversity insights globally alongside a network of naturalists, discloses 1,436 species of plants, animals, and fungi recorded on the campus. Additionally, a search on eBird indicates that 111 bird species have been identified on campus thus far.
Notably, Silwood Park is home to numerous long-term field research initiatives, including the well-known Nash’s Field Experiment and the Blue Tit Project, both of which are conducted on-site.
Student Life at Silwood Park
The campus mainly accommodates postgraduate students focused on ecology, conservation, and evolutionary studies. Many of us participate in various clubs based at Silwood Park. Some prominent examples are:
- Chicken Club – looking after chickens raised behind our accommodation halls
- Book Club – regularly engaging in discussions about intriguing books
- Gardening Club – overseeing allotments in our community garden
- Conservation Club – coordinating nature walks and conservation initiatives for Silwood Park students.
As part of the broader Imperial student body, many of us also engage in clubs located in South Kensington!
We also have informal clubs for sports like badminton, basketball, and pickleball (my personal favorite!), utilizing either the multi-use games area (MUGA) on campus or indoor sports facilities in nearby towns such as Bracknell or Ascot.
In addition to club activities and lessons, we host numerous community-driven events on campus. Silwood Park boasts its own student council that organizes and facilitates these events to ensure a dynamic and enjoyable student life! Recently, we held a Silwood language exchange, during which our international community exchanged languages and cultures over several weeks. We also welcomed the new lunar year by celebrating Chinese New Year, making dumplings and couplets. Additionally, we have had community-organized gatherings commemorating global events (like Carnival) or simply to revel in festivities.
My favorite event on campus is the weekly pub quiz, organized by our student community. It’s a Silwood tradition that the losers of the pub quiz organize the next one, and I can proudly say I hold the record for the most quizzes set this year. Despite frequently losing pub quizzes due to my limited general trivia knowledge, there’s always great entertainment with enjoyable company and a good pint of beer.
Silwood Park: My Home Away from Home
Although it’s a 30-minute walk from the hustle and bustle of civilization (e.g., the train station and the nearest village), life at Silwood Park never comes across as dull or lacking. In addition to countless events and activities, we have a supportive and inviting community of students from all around the globe. We share a love for nature, our beautiful campus grounds, and, significantly, each other’s company. We are a tight-knit community that delights in stargazing during the winter chill in the open field adjacent to our bar, observing birds and mammals visiting our windows, and spending time with fellow nature enthusiasts.
Most evenings, I cook alongside my dear friend from India, who shares my passion for Asian cuisine and birdwatching. We’re often joined by friends who live just a short stroll away in neighboring residence halls. After