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Sustainable Welcome to Silwood

Introduction to Imperial’s Silwood campus

Silwood Park is located on the outskirts of London and offers a beautiful location to study and research the life sciences. Since 1947 Silwood has been a valuable asset to Imperial, providing a spacious site away from the city where important evolution, biodiversity and conservation work can be carried out.

Not only is Silwood a great place for research, but a place where you can immerse yourself in nature. The campus grounds offer 100ha (1km2) of space where you can work and relax amongst the trees, some of which have stood for over 300 years.

In addition, you will find yourself within reaching distance of Imperial’s other campuses and central London where students can make the most of everything the capital city has to offer.

Map

Here is an interactive Google Earth map showing where the most important things around Silwood are.

Sustainability at Silwood

Transport

Below are some pointers to help get to and from Silwood and around the local area:

  • By rail
    • The nearest railway stations are Sunningdale (2 km) and Ascot (3km), which are on the main line from London Waterloo to Reading. There are two trains per hour in each direction on weekdays, one per hour on Sundays. Ascot station is also served by trains to Aldershot and Guildford. There are taxi services at Sunningdale and Ascot stations.
    • Get discounts by booking tickets on Trainline.
  • Local taxis: Atlas Cars (01344 874874)
  • By plane
    • Although Silwood is only a few kilometres from London Heathrow, there is no direct public transport from the Airport. Taxis from Heathrow are very expensive. There is a limited bus service from Heathrow Central Bus Station which stops in Ascot High Street about 2.5 km from Silwood. From Heathrow you can catch a bus to Feltham railway station, where you can pick up a train to Ascot or Sunningdale. There are taxis available at Ascot railway station. If you arrive at Gatwick you can come by train via Clapham Junction or Wokingham, but both routes require changing trains.
  • Shuttle buses
    • Shuttle buses on campus are run by qualified student drivers (please contact Andrew Greig greig@imperial.ac.uk if you want to know the eligibility criteria) to local towns (Ascot, Bracknell, Egham and Stains, etc). The price for a return trip is 1 Silcoin per person.
Silcoins

Silcoins are symbolic tokens of Silwood Park. They can be used to exchange for drinks during parties organized on campus, and you will need them to use the minibus service between Silwood Park and nearby towns (service provided by student minibus drivers). You can buy Silcoins from the Accommodation Office in G.04 Hamilton Building at the exchange rate of £1 per Silcoin.

Societies & Clubs

The clubs and societies in Silwood are subject to change every year, apart from a few long-standing societies (including bee-keeping society, chicken society), according to what students propose. The popular societies in previous years include rock climbing, badminton, birding, and board-gaming, etc. The societies fair will start after student union election in the welcome week. Why not propose your dream society/club and invite others to join!

At Silwood there is an initiative called Sustainability Champions Network which aims to promote sustainable practices on campus. Everyone is welcome to join!

Introduction to the Silwood academics and their areas of expertise

Clubs & Restaurants

Whether you need to complete a weekly grocery shop, enjoy a nice meal or have a day out with friends, there are plenty of options. Below are a selection of local shops, restaurants and places to visit in and around Silwood and neighbouring areas. To learn about how to get in and around Silwood, please visit the transportation page for available options. Enjoy!

Things to Do
Opening a Bank Account

Opening a bank account is one of the first things you will need to do, particularly if you are coming to the UK from abroad. Fortunately some very helpful guides exist to help you through the process. Please follow the links below to find out more.

 

Sustainable Welcome Boxes

Introduction to the Welcome Boxes

Welcome boxes have been provided for new Silwood students by the Sustainable Welcome Challenge Team, part of the Science and Solutions for a Changing Planet Doctoral Training Programme at The Grantham Institute. This project was set up to provide students with useful items of low environmental impact and all the information needed to settle in comfortably to life at Silwood Park. 

The climate crisis is one of the most significant challenges we will face in our lifetimes. Being selective about what we consume and making changes to our lifestyles can help mitigate the effects of the climate crisis. The team hopes to demonstrate that and inspire students to take it further through the welcome boxes.

Boxes contain:

  • Smol washing pods – chosen because they are degradable, non-toxic to marine life, vegan and come in responsibly sourced, compostable packaging. They leave no harmful waste products following use. 
  • Snacks – tasty, healthy, vegan snacks to fill up without contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Plant-based products reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with rearing animals for human consumption. Plants also require significantly less land consumption than animals which helps to feed a growing population and protect biodiverse regions from destruction.
    • Nakd bar - Plant based, healthy fruit and nut bars. Tasty, nutritious and with low environmental impact.
    • Soreen - Vegan malt loaf.
    • Eat real lentil chips: Gluten free, vegan lentil chips that taste great and with 30% less fat than potato chips.
    • Dash water - UK-based sparkling flavoured water. Makes use of fruit that doesn’t meet the aesthetic standards of other shops, saving on food waste. No added sugar or sweeteners.
  • Herb growing kit – provides fresh herbs for cooking and develop your ‘green thumb’. Water them well and share them around! Growing and caring for plants provides an appreciation for the delicate, amazing world around us.

All this is contained within a Notpla box – a seaweed derived material that easily degrades and is produced by an Imperial spin-out! Boxes should be reused for storage or placed in the compost.

Recipes

Below are a selection of tasty, healthy recipes of low environmental impact, kindly provided by Grantham’s Pop-up Kitchen, to inspire students to cook creatively and to think about your food choices. Food is always best shared and the recipes are perfect to try with new flat mates?

Plant growth

Each box contains a folding cardboard pot, three coir discs and a selection of herb seeds. Specific information on how to grow herbs is found below. We hope new students enjoy growing the plants and that they will give food lots of flavour!

Coir discs:

Each packet contains three discs of coir. The coir is ideal for seed and cutting growth. This coir has excellent water retention qualities. It is peat free, easy to handle and does not blow away. It has a pH of between 4.5 and 6.5. It is made from renewable sources.

How to use: Place the discs in a tray, add lukewarm water, and allow the Coir Discs to absorb and expand. Stir to mix and fluff out, add more water if necessary. You'll find that the coir will expand to as much as three times their original size. Break up the coir material with a hand fork or trowel. Place in the carboard pot provided.

Herbs

Oregano (Oreganum vulgare)

A highly aromatic herb mostly used in Mediterranean dishes. The fresh green leaves can be used fresh or dried.

Indoor Planting: Sow seeds 0.5cm deep in moist compost, be careful not to over water. Store in a warm place at an approx. temperature of 16-18°C (60-65°F).

Growing On: When the seedlings are strong enough to handle they can be transplanted into bigger pots or trays. Do not overcrowd the plants and keep in a warm, light position. For all year round supply, sow indoors in pots.

Alternatively,  once all chance of frost has passed the plants can be transplanted direct to your desired outdoor location, this plant requires a full sun position. Plants must be hardened off first – i.e. the plants must be incrementally exposed to outdoor conditions to prevent shock.

Outdoor Planting: Sow seeds 1.5cm deep direct in growing bed. Keep the soil moist, and be careful not to over water. When large enough to handle thin to 8" (20cm). Harvest before flowers form.

  • Sow Indoors Feb-April
  • Sow Outdoors April-May
  • Row Width 12/30cm
  • Harvest Spring/Summer
Mint (Mentha piperita

A popular versatile herb, mostly known as an ideal accompaniment to lamb. Also great when added to boiled new potatoes and peas. It can aid indigestion.

Indoor Planting: Sow seeds on top of moist compost, do not cover the seeds with soil. Be careful not to over-water. Cover the pot with polythene and store in a warm place at an approx. temperature of 21-24°C (70-75°F). Remove the polythene once germination starts.

Growing On: When the seedlings are strong enough to handle they can be transplanted into bigger pots or trays. Do not overcrowd the plants and keep in a warm, light position. Once all chance of frost has passed the plants can be transplanted directly into an outdoor location. Harden off plants first.

Outdoor Planting: Sow seeds 0.5cm deep direct in growing bed. Keep the soil moist, and be careful not to over-water. When large enough to handle thin to 12" (30cm).

  • Sow Indoors March-June
  • Sow Outdoors May
  • Row Width 12/30cm
  • Harvest When required
Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

A favourite herb with gardeners and cooks everywhere. Basil produces a wonderful aroma and the leaves are best used in tomato and pasta dishes. Also great in salads and soups.

Indoor Planting: Sow seeds 0.5cm deep in trays of moist compost, be careful not to over-water. Store in a warm place at an approx. temperature of 13-16°C (55-60°F).

Growing On: When the seedlings are strong enough to handle they can be transplanted into bigger pots or trays. Do not overcrowd the plants and keep in a warm, light position. For an all year round supply, sow indoors in pots.

Alternatively, once all chance of frost has passed the plants can be transplanted direct into your desired location in May.

Outdoor Planting: Sow seeds 1.5cm deep direct in growing bed. Keep the soil moist, and be careful not to over water. When large enough to handle thin to below spacings. The Basil will grow best in a warm, sheltered location. Pick leaves as required.

  • Sow Indoors March-April
  • Sow Outdoors May
  • Row Width 12/30cm
  • Harvest all year round in pots
Coriander (Coriandrun sativum)

An indispensable herb for Indian and Mediterranean dishes, its highly fragrant mild citrus aroma is best used to flavour meats, vegetables and fish. This herb can also be used as a substitute for Parsley.

Indoor Planting: Sow seeds 0.5cm deep in trays of moist compost, be careful not to over-water. Store in a warm place at an approx. temperature of 13-16°C (55-60°F).

Growing On: When the seedlings are strong enough to handle they can be transplanted into bigger pots or trays. Do not overcrowd the plants and keep in a warm, light position. For an all year round supply, sow indoors in pots.

Alternatively, once all chance of frost has passed the plants can be transplanted direct into your desired location. Harden off first.

Outdoor Planting: Sow seeds 15cm deep direct in growing bed. Keep the soil moist, and be careful not to over-water: When large enough to handle thin to create spaces of 9" (23cm). Pick leaves as required.

  • Sow Indoors All year round
  • Sow Outdoors April-May
  • Row Width 5/13cm
  • Harvest all year round in pots
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

An old favourite. Easy to grow with a strong flavour, best used in meat and vegetable dishes. Use fresh or dried.

Indoor Planting: Sow seeds 0.5cm deep in trays or pots of moist compost, be careful not to over-water. Cover with polythene and store in a warm place at an approx. temperature of 13-16°C (56-60°F). Remove the polythene once germination starts.

Growing On: When the seedlings are strong enough to handle they can be transplanted into bigger pots or trays. Do not overcrowd the plants and keep in a warm, light position. Once all chance of frost has passed the plants can be transplanted direct into your desired location in May. Harden off plants first.

Outdoor Planting: Sow seeds 1.5cm deep direct in growing bed. Keep the soil moist, and be careful foot to over-water. Thyme prefers a sunny location. Pick the leaves as required.

  • Sow Indoors Feb-May
  • Sow Outdoors May-June
  • Row Width 9/23cm
  • Harvest when required
Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis)

A versatile herb with a powerful fragrance. An excellent accompaniment to meat dishes, especially lamb, and can also be used in soups and stews.

Indoor Planting: Sow seeds on top of soil in trays of moist compost, do not cover the seeds with soil. Be careful not to over-water. Cover with polythene and store in a warm place at an approx, temperature of 16°C (60°F). Remove the polythene once germination starts.

Growing On: When the seedlings are strong enough to handle they can be transplanted into bigger pots. Do not overcrowd the plants and keep in a warm, light position. Once all chance of frost has passed the plants can be transplanted direct into your desired location. Harden off first. Rosemary prefers a sunny sheltered location and can also be grown inside.

  • Sow Indoors Feb-June
  • Row Width 24/60cm
  • Harvest when required

Plant growth information from Simply Garden (Simply Garden Store)

Useful