Authored by Clarence (Singapore), MSc Living Planet with Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
When students from Imperial envision Silwood Park, they picture a vibrant, enigmatic, and green campus brimming with distinctive flora and fauna, setting it apart from 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 segment of Imperial, I wish to showcase the student experience, activities, and community at our natural parkland campus located in Ascot, Berkshire.
An overview of Silwood Park
Silwood Park serves as Imperial’s outdoor research facility, covering 77 hectares and encompassing environments like freshwater streams, lakes, an “ancient” forest, and expansive grasslands. An inquiry on iNaturalist, a platform for mapping and sharing biodiversity observations worldwide with a network of naturalists, reveals that 1,436 species of plants, animals, and fungi have been recorded on campus. A further search on eBird indicates that 111 bird species have been identified on campus to date.
Of particular interest, Silwood Park is the site of numerous long-term field research initiatives, including the renowned Nash’s Field Experiment and the Blue Tit Project.
Life as a student at Silwood Park
The campus primarily accommodates postgraduate students focused on ecology, conservation, and evolutionary studies. Many of us engage in various clubs based at Silwood Park. Noteworthy examples include:
- Chicken Club – tending to the chickens raised behind our residences
- Book Club – meeting frequently to discuss intriguing literature
- Gardening Club – overseeing the allotments in our communal garden
- Conservation Club – arranging nature walks and conservation-themed activities for students on Silwood Park Campus.
As members of the broader Imperial student body, many of us also take part in club activities based in South Kensington!
Informally, we have groups involved in sports such as badminton, basketball, and pickleball (my absolute favorite!), utilizing either the multi-use games area (MUGA) on campus or 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 oversees such activities to foster a lively and engaging student atmosphere! Recently, we’ve hosted the Silwood language exchange, where our diverse international community exchanged languages and cultures over several weeks, and our annual Chinese New Year celebration, where everyone crafted dumplings and couplets to welcome the new lunar year. We’ve also organized parties honoring global events (like Carnival) or simply out of a love for gatherings.
My preferred campus event is the weekly pub quiz, organized by our student community. It’s a Silwood tradition that the losing team of the pub quiz must host the next one, and I proudly note that I have set the most pub quizzes this year. Despite losing numerous quizzes due to my poor general knowledge, there’s always plenty of enjoyment with great company and a refreshing pint of beer.
Silwood Park: my second home
Though a 30-minute stroll from bustling civilization (such as the train station and the nearest village), life at Silwood Park has never seemed dull or insufficient. Alongside countless events and activities, we enjoy a warm and inviting community of students from around the globe. We share a love for nature, our picturesque campus, and, most importantly, each other’s company. We are a tight-knit community relishing stargazing on cold winter evenings in the open field next to our pub, watching the birds and mammals visit our windows, and spending time with fellow nature enthusiasts.
Most nights, I prepare meals with my dear friend from India, who shares my passion for