Silwood is a small and friendly campus with a student body of around 150 postgraduate students. There is a real community atmosphere, where everyone knows everyone else. Partly organised by the Silwood Park Union and partly through self-organisation, there is a range of social activities and support on offer.

This page lists student-centric information. You can find further information under "About Silwood Park"

Silwood Park Union

Silwood Park has an active Student Union that helps runs a number of clubs, societies and events open to both staff and students.

You can get a feel for what is happening at Silwood on the Silwood Park Students Union website.

Clubs and Societies

A number of societies are popular and often run each year such a climbing, allotments, chickens, basketball, football and bird watching, but there is always an opportunity to start a society for any interest or hobby that you may have. The start of the academic year is the time to put forward suggestions for societies for your stay at Silwood

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Gardening and allotments

Grow your own weight in root vegetables. Silwood Park is big enough to have its own allotments, in front of William Penney Hall, organic and deer proof. The club has a good selection of gardening tools too.

Green Club

Would you like to organise some environmentally-friendly activities for your fellow Silwoodians? In the past, the Green Club has been active running debates, competitions, fairs, composting schemes, film screenings, outings and campaigns.

Chickens

We have a growing brood of about 20 chickens (next to the bees opposite the tennis courts) and they require tender loving care! If you want to help out please drop us an email.

Yoga

Tuesday evenings at Silwood.

Choir

Choir runs every Tuesday at 7-8pm in the manor house. The ability to sing is not a requirement.

Photography

The Silwood Photography Club organises various tutorials and photography excursions to exciting picturesque places. Beginners and enthusiasts that do not have a fancy DSLR that are keen to learn the techniques and skills to take great photos are welcome!

Silwood Music Group

We have a large collection of music for a range of different instruments. In the past, the club has played everything from flute and piano pieces through trio sonatas and piano tros to wind quintets, and even managed to do a Bach Brandenburg Concerto.

Silwood Park owns a drum kit, guitar and bass, as well as various microphones, amps and speakers for students wanting to jam or better yet join a distinguished list of student bands based at Silwood Park.

 

Sports facilities and clubs

Sports facilities at Silwood  Park include the 'Impetus' fitness gym, a squash court and a multi-purpose area that can be used for tennis, netball, basketball and 5-a-side football.  Some of the current sports clubs are outlined here. Proactive students who want to set up new sports clubs are enthusiasticly encouraged!

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Squash

Squash club runs from 5 – 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in the squash court. At all other times, you are welcome to play, just sign up on the court booking sheet (on the notice board outside the court), there are rackets and balls in the cupboard outside the court that are free to use.

Martial Arts

Silwood Park owns sufficient equipment to run Martial Arts classes - Mats and pads are in storage in the manor house. There are also various local clubs, and if enough people want to do it they will send an instructor to us.

Football

 

Prof shows students how to play
Prof shows students how to play

Every Wednesday night Silwood Minibus leaves at 18:30 rain or shine.  £1 per week, pay on the night. Beginners and pros welcome! Last year there were also several friendly 11 a-side games, and we recently got to the semi-final of a 5-a-side competition in London.

We play at Harlington Sports Ground near Heathrow on a 3rd generation astro turf pitch, QPR’s training ground!!!

Cricket

Nets start in February – £2 per week on a Tuesday in Sunningdale. We play in the Berkshire Research League 20-20 competition in the summer evenings. The Silwood Team is usually a mixture of staff, Masters and PhD students. There is also a big staff-student match at the end of the season, with drinks and a bbq.

Tennis and Basketball

Located opposite the chicken run, towards the rear of the manor house, the outdoor courts are popular for Tennis, Basketball or football. Equipment can be borrowed as necessary from the Accommodation Office.

Climbing

Sessions are usually held at Craggy Island in Guilford or Reading Climbing Centre. Th e union has some equipment that can be borrowed.

Swimming

Informal group that goes swimming as and when.

Running

Meets twice a w eek on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for runs (of varying difficulty and distance) around Silwood and Windsor Great Park. All welcome regardless of running ability.

Gym

Silwood Park also has a gym facility, run by LT Fitness. For more information, please see Sport Imperial’s website.