Authored by Clarence (Singapore), MSc Living Planet specializing in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation
When students at Imperial picture Silwood Park, they see a vibrant, enigmatic, and verdant campus brimming with distinctive flora and fauna, unlike the scenes in South Kensington or White City. In many respects, they’re correct – every depiction of Silwood Park holds true!
As a member of this lesser-known Imperial community, I wish to showcase the vibrant student life, activities, and camaraderie found at our natural parkland campus situated in Ascot, Berkshire.
Overview of Silwood Park
Silwood Park functions as Imperial’s field laboratory, covering 77 hectares and encompassing ecosystems such as freshwater streams, lakes, an “ancient” woodland, and expansive grasslands. A brief exploration on iNaturalist, an application designed for documenting and sharing biodiversity insights globally, indicates that 1,436 species of plants, animals, and fungi have been recorded on campus. Moreover, eBird indicates that 111 bird species have been observed on site.
Notably, Silwood Park is the site of various long-term field research initiatives, including the Nash’s Field Experiment and the Blue Tit Project, both prominent projects conducted on location.
Life of Students at Silwood Park
The campus mainly supports postgraduate students who are keen on ecology, conservation, and evolutionary research. We engage in several clubs located at Silwood Park, such as:
- Chicken Club – tending to chickens raised near our residence halls
- Book Club – engaging in regular discussions about fascinating reads
- Gardening Club – overseeing allotments within our community garden
- Conservation Club – arranging nature excursions and conservation efforts for the students of Silwood Park.
As part of the broader Imperial student body, many of us also enroll in clubs based in South Kensington!
In an informal setting, we have sports clubs like badminton, basketball, and pickleball (my personal favorite!), which take place at either the multi-use games arena (MUGA) on campus or in indoor sports facilities in nearby areas such as Bracknell or Ascot.
In addition to club functions and classes, we organize numerous community-driven events on campus. Silwood Park has its own student representatives who coordinate and facilitate these gatherings to promote a lively and exhilarating student experience! Recently, we conducted the Silwood language exchange, where our international community came together to share languages and cultures over several weeks. We also rang in the Chinese New Year with dumplings and couplets to greet the new lunar year. Additionally, we’ve had community-organized celebrations for global events such as Carnival or simply for the sake of enjoying parties.
My favorite periodic event on campus is the weekly pub quiz, organized by our student community. It’s part of Silwood culture that the team with the least correct answers arranges the next quiz, and I proudly hold the record for the most quizzes set this year. Despite losing many quizzes due to my inadequate trivia knowledge, there’s always enjoyment with good friends and a refreshing pint of beer.
Silwood Park: my second home
Despite being just a 30-minute walk from the hustle and bustle of civilization (e.g., the train station and the nearest village), life at Silwood Park is never dull or insufficient. Alongside a plethora of events and activities, we enjoy a friendly and inviting community of students from diverse backgrounds. We all share a love for nature, our stunning campus, and, importantly, each other’s presence. We’re a close-knit community that relishes stargazing in the chilly winter nights on the open field beside our bar, observing the birds and mammals that visit our windows, and spending time with fellow nature enthusiasts.
Most evenings, I prepare meals with my dear friend from India, who shares my passion for Asian cuisine and birdwatching. We are often joined by friends living nearby in the adjacent residence halls. After dinner, we typically engage in board games or watch films together. Residing on Silwood Park Campus is truly a depiction of a