Authored by Clarence (Singapore), MSc Living Planet specializing in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
When the majority of Imperial students picture Silwood Park, they imagine a vibrant, enigmatic, and verdant campus bustling with wildlife and flora that aren’t typically found at other campuses such as South Kensington or White City. In many respects, they are correct – every representation of Silwood Park holds true!
As an ambassador of this lesser-known faction within Imperial, I aim to shed light on the student experience, initiatives, and community at our natural parkland campus located in Ascot, Berkshire.
A glimpse of Silwood Park
Silwood Park serves as Imperial’s outdoor research facility, encompassing 77 hectares and showcasing ecosystems such as freshwater streams, lakes, an “ancient” forest, and expansive grasslands. A brief look at iNaturalist, an app dedicated to mapping and sharing biodiversity observations with a global network of naturalists, reveals 1,436 species of plants, animals, and fungi recorded on campus. A subsequent query on eBird documents 111 bird species identified to date.
Notably, Silwood Park is home to various long-term field research initiatives, with the Nash’s Field Experiment and the Blue Tit Project being two prominent studies conducted on-site.
Student experience at Silwood Park
The campus mainly accommodates postgraduate students focused on ecology, conservation, and evolution initiatives. Many of us engage in several clubs located at Silwood Park. Noteworthy examples include:
- Chicken Club – caring for chickens raised behind our residence halls
- Book Club – frequently discussing intriguing reads
- Gardening Club – overseeing the allotments within our community garden
- Conservation Club – coordinating nature walks and conservation efforts for students at Silwood Park Campus.
As part of the larger Imperial student body, a number of us also join clubs situated in South Kensington!
Casually, we have clubs participating in sports such as badminton, basketball, and pickleball (my personal favorite!), based either at the multi-use games arena (MUGA) on campus or in indoor sports facilities in nearby towns like Bracknell or Ascot.
In addition to club activities and classes, we host numerous community-led events on campus. Silwood Park has its own student council that organizes and facilitates these activities to maintain a vibrant and engaging student life! Recently, we organized the Silwood language exchange, where our international students shared languages and cultures over several weeks, and our annual Chinese New Year celebration at the beginning of the year, where everyone made dumplings and couplets to usher in the new lunar year. We’ve also had community-organized gatherings celebrating global festivities (like Carnival) or simply for the enjoyment of parties.
My favorite event on campus has to be the weekly pub quiz, put together by our student community. It’s part of Silwood culture that the individuals who lose the pub quiz organize the next one, and I can proudly state that I have set the highest number of pub quizzes this year. Even though I’ve lost many pub quizzes due to my limited general knowledge, there’s always enjoyable moments with great company and a perfect pint of beer.
Silwood Park: my sanctuary away from home
Even though it’s a 30-minute stroll from the lively civilization (e.g., the train station and the closest village), life at Silwood Park has never seemed uneventful or unfulfilling. In addition to countless events and activities, we have a friendly and inclusive community of students from around the globe. We all share a passion for nature, our stunning campus grounds, and, more importantly, each other’s company. We’re a tight-knit community that delights in stargazing in the chilly winter on the open field adjacent to 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 close friend from India, who shares my enthusiasm for Asian