Written by Clarence (Singapore), MSc Living Planet with Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
When students at Imperial picture Silwood Park, they see a vibrant, enchanting, and verdant campus abundant with distinct plants and animals, different from other locations such as South Kensington or White City. Generally, they are accurate—every representation of Silwood Park holds true!
As a member of this lesser-known Imperial community, I aim to showcase the student experience, activities, and camaraderie at our natural parkland campus in Ascot, Berkshire.
Presenting Silwood Park
Silwood Park functions as Imperial’s external laboratory, covering 77 hectares and containing environments such as freshwater streams, lakes, an “ancient” forest, and expansive grasslands. A brief search on iNaturalist, a platform for mapping and sharing biodiversity findings globally among a community of naturalists, uncovers 1,436 species of plants, animals, and fungi recorded on campus. Furthermore, eBird data indicates that 111 bird species have been noted here.
More fascinatingly, Silwood Park is home to numerous extensive field research initiatives, with the Nash’s Field Experiment and the Blue Tit Project being two of the more prominent studies conducted on the premises.
Student Life at Silwood Park
The campus is mainly inhabited by postgraduate students engaged in ecology, conservation, and evolution research. Many of us are involved in various clubs located at Silwood Park. Noteworthy examples include:
- Chicken Club – tending to chickens raised behind our living quarters
- Book Club – consistently discussing intriguing books
- Gardening Club – overseeing allotments in our community garden
- Conservation Club – organizing nature walks and conservation efforts for students at Silwood Park Campus.
As part of the larger Imperial student body, many of us also participate in and regularly enjoy the activities offered by clubs situated in South Kensington!
Casually, we have groups for sports like badminton, basketball, and pickleball (my personal favorite!), held either on the multi-use games area (MUGA) on campus or at local indoor sports centers in nearby towns like Bracknell or Ascot.
In addition to club activities and academic sessions, numerous community-led events take place on campus. Silwood Park has its own student council that organizes and coordinates these happenings, fostering a lively and engaging student environment! Recently, we held the Silwood language exchange, where our international community shared languages and cultures over several weeks, and we marked the Chinese New Year with dumplings and couplets to welcome the new lunar year. We’ve also had community-driven parties celebrating international festivities (like Carnival) or simply for the enjoyment of gatherings.
My favorite campus event is the weekly pub quiz, organized by our student community. It’s part of Silwood tradition that those who lose the pub quiz host the next one, and I can proudly announce the most pub quizzes set this year. Despite often losing due to my limited general trivia knowledge, there’s always great enjoyment with excellent company and a good pint of beer.
Silwood Park: My Home Away from Home
Even though it’s a 30-minute stroll from the lively energy of civilization (such as the train station and the closest village), life at Silwood Park never feels dull or deficient. Along with numerous events and activities, we possess a warm and inviting community of students from various parts of the globe. We all cherish nature, our stunning campus grounds, and, importantly, each other’s companionship. We’re a tight-knit community relishing stargazing in the chilly winter on the open field adjacent to our bar, observing birds and mammals gracing our windows, and spending quality time among fellow nature enthusiasts.
Most evenings, I cook with my dear friend from India, who shares my passion for Asian cuisine and birdwatching. We’re frequently accompanied by friends living just a short walk away in