Written by Clarence (Singapore), MSc Living Planet specializing in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation
When students from Imperial think of Silwood Park, they picture a lush, mysterious, and flourishing campus filled with wildlife and plant species seldom found at other locations like South Kensington or White City. In many ways, they are right—every portrayal of Silwood Park is true!
As a member of this lesser-known Imperial community, I wish to emphasize the student lifestyle, activities, and community present at our idyllic parkland campus located in Ascot, Berkshire.
Discovering Silwood Park
Silwood Park serves as Imperial’s outdoor research facility, covering 77 hectares and showcasing ecosystems such as freshwater streams, lakes, an “ancient” woodland, and open fields. A brief inquiry on iNaturalist, an application for documenting and sharing biodiversity sightings globally with a network of naturalists, indicates that 1,436 species of plants, animals, and fungi have been recorded on campus. Moreover, a search on eBird confirms that 111 bird species have been identified on the premises.
Even more fascinating, Silwood Park supports numerous long-term field research initiatives, including the Nash’s Field Experiment and the Blue Tit Project, two prominent projects conducted on-site.
Life as a Student at Silwood Park
The campus mainly accommodates postgraduate students focused on ecology, conservation, and evolutionary studies. Many of us actively engage in various clubs located at Silwood Park. Some notable ones include:
- Chicken Club – caring for chickens raised behind our living quarters
- Book Club – consistently discussing intriguing literature
- Gardening Club – overseeing plots in our community garden
- Conservation Club – coordinating nature excursions and conservation efforts for students at Silwood Park.
As part of the broader Imperial student body, many of us also join and engage in clubs situated in South Kensington!
Casually, we participate in sports clubs like badminton, basketball, and pickleball (which happens to be my favorite!), meeting either at the multi-use games arena (MUGA) on campus or in nearby communities like Bracknell or Ascot.
In addition to club activities and academic lessons, we host a variety of community-led events on campus. Silwood Park has its own student council which organizes and manages such activities, guaranteeing a lively and enjoyable student experience! Recently, we held the Silwood language exchange, where our international community exchanged languages and cultures over several weeks, along with our annual Chinese New Year celebration, where we prepared dumplings and couplets to usher in the new lunar year. We also have community-organized festivities celebrating global occasions (like Carnival) or just for the joy of gathering.
One of my favorite campus happenings is the weekly pub quiz, organized by our student cohort. It’s a Silwood tradition where the pub quiz non-winners must arrange the following quiz, and I can proudly state that I hold the record for the most quizzes organized this year. Even though I have lost numerous pub quizzes due to my limited general knowledge, there’s always enjoyment to be found with good friends and a refreshing pint of beer.
Silwood Park: My Second Home
Though situated a 30-minute walk from the lively atmosphere of civilization (e.g., the train station and nearest village), life at Silwood Park has never seemed tedious or inadequate. Beyond the countless events and opportunities, we have a friendly, inclusive community of students from various parts of the globe. We all share a love for nature, our stunning campus environment, and, crucially, each other’s company. We form a close-knit group that delights in stargazing during the chilly winter on the open fields adjacent to our bar, watching the birds and mammals that visit our windows, and spending quality 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’re frequently joined by friends living a short stroll away in neighboring residence halls. After