By Clarence (Singapore), MSc Living Planet with Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
When students at Imperial envision Silwood Park, they picture a vibrant, enigmatic, and green campus brimming with distinctive wildlife and vegetation, quite different from that at South Kensington or White City. They are correct—every depiction of Silwood Park holds true!
As a member of this lesser-known Imperial community, I aim to showcase the student experience, pastimes, and camaraderie at our natural parkland campus in Ascot, Berkshire.
Introducing Silwood Park
Silwood Park serves as Imperial’s outdoor laboratory, covering 77 hectares and encompassing ecosystems such as freshwater streams, lakes, a “vintage” forest, and open grasslands. A search on iNaturalist, an application for mapping and sharing biodiversity observations worldwide, unveils 1,436 species of plants, animals, and fungi recorded on campus, while eBird reports 111 bird species documented thus far.
Additionally, Silwood Park hosts long-term field research initiatives, including Nash’s Field Experiment and the Blue Tit Project.
Student Life at Silwood Park
The campus primarily accommodates postgraduate students focused on ecology, conservation, and evolution research. We also participate in various clubs at Silwood Park, such as:
- Chicken Club – taking care of chickens located behind our residence halls
- Book Club – engaging in discussions about interesting books
- Gardening Club – overseeing community garden allotments
- Conservation Club – arranging nature walks and conservation efforts
As part of the broader Imperial student community, many of us also get involved in club activities in South Kensington!
Casually, we have sports groups such as badminton, basketball, and pickleball (my personal favorite!), utilizing the campus multi-use games area (MUGA) or local indoor sports facilities in Bracknell or Ascot.
In addition to club activities, our campus hosts numerous community-led events. The student council at Silwood Park organizes and manages these activities to ensure a lively student life. Recently, we participated in a Silwood language exchange, where we shared languages and cultures, and celebrated Chinese New Year by making dumplings and couplets. We’ve also enjoyed community-organized gatherings for global festivities (like Carnival) or just for enjoyment.
My favorite event on campus is the weekly pub quiz, put together by our student community. It’s a Silwood tradition that those who lose the quiz set up the next one, and I’ve organized the most quizzes this year. Although I often lose due to my lack of trivia knowledge, there’s always merriment with good companionship and a pint of beer.
Silwood Park: My Home Away from Home
Even though it’s 30 minutes from urban life (e.g., train station, nearest village), living at Silwood Park is never tedious. With a multitude of events and activities, we enjoy a friendly, inviting community of nature-loving students from around the globe. We form a close-knit group who revel in stargazing, watching birds and mammals, and spending time with fellow nature aficionados.
Most evenings, I cook alongside my Indian friend who shares my passion for Asian cuisine and birdwatching. Our friends from nearby halls often join us for meals, board games, or movies. Residing at Silwood Park Campus offers a serene, tranquil, and picturesque lifestyle, with the warmth of heaters during winter in our residence halls and campus buildings.
These comforts are made possible by the Student Accommodation team, who ensures our well-being on campus. We also have a dedicated Student Experiences Coordinator who organizes events to keep us engaged and connected. They bring therapy dogs to campus, fostering our well-being with occasional nudges, warmth, and affection from our cherished four-legged companions.
Reflecting on My Time at Silwood Park
My time living and studying at Silwood Park has been incredible, mainly due to the strong network of friends and community.