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The science of deep time: Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) Wales

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9 - 11 September 2024 - 3 days - From £799 (See price grid for room options)

Join a gentle walking and talking short break in the stunning Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog). Witness the cosmic, geological, and human forces which have shaped our lives, and understand humankind’s place in the story of the Earth and ask ourselves: are we entering the Anthropocene? 

Hosted by journalist and author, Richard Fisher, along with leading cosmology, deep time and astronomy experts. During this captivating short break, you will learn about the formation and geology of our earth and explore the timeline involved in the creation of our world and the wider cosmos.

Based in South Wales, you will stargaze back through time, journey deep underground in caves and explore the stunning landscape. Learn about the science of deep time from experts in their field, gaining an appreciation and understanding of the timelines and processes involved, and the small amount of space and time we occupy in it.  


DAY 1: ARRIVE, WELCOME LECTURE AND EXPLORE THE COSMOS

Arrive at the unique Craig Y Nos Castle. A hotel housed in a Grade II* listed 1840s gothic castle, that was owned by 19th-Century opera singer Adelina Patti.

In the late afternoon, make your way to the opera house within the castle grounds, where author, journalist and event host Richard Fisher will talk you through the development of deep time and how it can be used to understand the timelines of our planet and the universe.

After dinner in the castle's grand dining hall, you will venture to the country park next door to explore the cosmos with astronomer Martin Griffiths and a selection of telescopes. This will help you place cosmic processes and timelines into context by seeing star creation in action. Should the weather not comply today, we can rearrange the stargazing for the second night.

DAY 2: DAN YR OGOF CAVE TOUR AND OUTDOOR PALEONTOLOGY SEMINAR

Enjoy breakfast on a morning which is 4.6 billion years in the making. As your journey through deep time continues, you will spend today exploring the geological processes and timelines of the earth once created. 

After a 30-minute walk along the River Tawe, you will visit the National Showcaves Centre for Wales. Enjoy a private guided tour of the three main cave systems there. The Dan yr Ogof, Bone Cave and Cathedral Cave. Learning from local geologists how the intricate network and impressive structures were created over 300 million years ago (the last 6% of the earth’s history) and the geological forces grinding away to shape our world.

Walk back to the castle and lunch. Afterwards, enjoy a fascinating afternoon of talks in the opera house from experts taking a deep dive into the geology and palaeontology of the Brecon Beacons.

This will be followed by a talk from Cambridge University's Thomas Moynihan, who will talk about how humanity's perception of life's greatest possibilities and gravest threats has evolved throughout history.

To finish, a discussion on the potential new epoch we find ourselves in, the Anthropocene. Argued by some to have started with the Industrial Revolution, where humans are impacting the face of the earth through our activity. 

You have explored nearly 300 million years of deep time today, so enjoy a good rest.

DAY 3: DEEP TIME GUIDED WALK AND LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

After breakfast, you will journey to another part of the Brecon Beacons with the Deep Time Walk organisation to explore the landscape whilst listening to an account of the 4.6 billion years of earth’s history. Each metre walked will represent 1 million years of time and you will hear about the different milestones of earth’s creation. With human history being represented by the length of your finger on this 4.6km walk, our impact on the earth is put into stark contrast.

After returning to the castle for lunch, there will be two more talks looking at deep time issues in the future including looking at the potential paths the planet could take and what will archaeologists find of us in 100,000 years. This will be followed by closing comments from Richard.

The event officially finishes late in the afternoon but you are welcome to stay another night and use the castle as a base to further explore the Brecon Beacons. For those of you arriving a day early or a day later, we will endeavour to arrange a historical tour of the castle. It is an amazing structure with a fascinating history.

As well as being a thoroughly enjoyable and mind-expanding event, we hope you depart with a more informed understanding of deep time, reading our landscapes and our place within the world.

Contact us to discuss this short break.

Email Us

Contact us to discuss this short break.

Email Us

Highlights

  • Gain an understanding of deep time and the geological timelines of the Earth.
  • Several engaging expert talks across a range of deep time phenoma.
  • Explore the National Showcaves Centre for Wales accompanied by geology experts.
  • Survey the dark skies above the Brecon Beacons with a guided stargazing session.
  • Immerse yourself in the landscapes of the Brecon Beacons with a Deep Time guided walk.

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Meet the expert

Richard Fisher will be hosting the event, Richard is currently a senior journalist with the BBC and is an Honorary Research Associate at University College London. Richard worked 8 years at New Scientist, most recently as Features Editor. In 2023, Richard authored a well-received non-fiction about long-term thinking called The Long View: Why We Need To Transform How The World Sees Time

Martin Griffiths is a senior lecturer in space science at the University of South Wales. He has been an astronomer for over 40 years and is a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. Martin previously worked for NASA’s Astrobiology Institute, which looked at the origins, evolution, distribution and future of life in the universe. He is currently the director of the Brecon Beacons Observatory and has written six books and published more than 100 papers.

Thomas Moynihan is a UK-based writer and author of X-Risk: How Humanity Discovered Its Own Extinction. Holding a DPhil from Oriel College, Oxford University, he is currently a Research Affiliate at Cambridge University's Centre for the Study of Existential Risk. Through his writing, Thomas aims to tell compelling stories about how changing ideas about the ways and workings of the wider universe have, throughout the past, time and again transformed our deepest sense of ourselves and our greatest priorities as beings who think, act, and—often—make mistakes. Thomas's writing—on everything from the climate crisis to dolphin and insect intelligence—has been featured in places like BBC Future, The Guardian, New Scientist, Aeon and Noema Magazine. He has keynoted at institutions ranging from Stanford University to Hong Kong's Tai Kwun Contemporary and he has appeared on BBC Radio 4.

The Deep Time Walk organisation was created by an experienced team of playwrights, scientists, professional actors, radio producers and designers. Grounded in the latest evidence from science, the Ted Hughes Award recommended script is written by Dr. Stephan Harding and Peter Oswald. Originally an app to accompany your walk, it has now expanded to become a global network of experienced Deep Time guides, who can enlighten you using this truly immersive experience.

More guest speakers and guides will be confirmed shortly. 

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • 2 nights accommodation
  • 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
  • All entrance fees and activities as stated
  • Guest lectures and walking seminars with New Scientist staff and expert guide
  • Onsite parking
  • 24-hour onsite support

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

  • Travel insurance
  • Single supplement
  • Room upgrades
  • Additional nights at Craig Y Nos Castle. Available for a supplement.

HOW TO GET THERE

The Weekender is hosted at Craig Y Nos Castle located in Craig Y Nos Country Park. The nearest town is Pen-y-cae.

By road: The castle is located just off the A4067 between Ystradgynlais and Sennybridge. The postcode is SA9 1GL.

By rail: The nearest train stations are Swansea and Neath. There are direct trains from London Paddington Station to Neath or Swansea. If arriving from Manchester/Birmingham you will need to change at Cardiff. From Swansea or Neath you will need to take a taxi to the castle which will take about 30 minutes.

You are responsible for making your own way to and from the accommodation at the beginning and end of the weekend. 

WEEKENDER START AND END TIMES

The event will begin at around 17:30 on Friday evening and finish at around 15:00 on Sunday.

We will send full instructions including directions to the hotel a few weeks prior to the event. 

PACE AND PHYSICALITY

To experience this event in full, participants will need to be able to undertake a 4.6 kilometre walk of gentle elevation. Other activities involve walking across slippery surfaces, small rocks, and boulders. Durable footwear and weatherproof clothing are recommended. Should anyone feel unable to take part in these specific elements of the weekend, you are able to skip individual activities and no activity is mandatory.

SOLO TRAVELLERS

Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group provides security and peace of mind in faraway places.

AGE RESTRICTIONS

Children are welcome, but must be aged 12 or over. Please bear in mind that the level of the talks and activities are aimed at adults.

Accommodation

Craig Y Nos Castle, Brecon Road, Pen-y-cae, Swansea, Wales

In the heart of Wales near the Brecon Beacons, Craig Y Nos is a unique Grade II* listed hotel and venue housed in a fully restored 1840s gothic castle. The Castle and Country Park sits alongside the upper River Tawe on the edge of the Black Mountain and was owned by 19th-century opera singer Adelina Patti. 

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There are two main room types within the castle grounds. The Nurses Block, which is just next to the castle has the more cost-effective rooms. They are private twin, double and single rooms with shared lockable men's and women's facilities.

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In the castle, all the rooms are doubles with ensuite facilities and some have additional beds to fit groups of three or four. If you wish to book three or four people into a room, please email us at tours@newscientist.com.

There are tea and coffee-making facilities in each room.

There is ample free parking at the castle.