New Scientist | The science of deep time | Brecon Beacons, Wales

Join a gentle walking-and-talking short break. Witness the cosmic, geological and human forces that have shaped our lives, and understand humankind’s place in the story of Earth. While exploring the beautiful Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) and staying at the atmospheric Craig Y Nos Castle.

Stargaze back through time, journey deep underground in caves and explore the stunning landscapes. Learn about the science of deep time, the formation and geology of Earth, the latest dinosaur finds and explore the timeline involved in the creation of our world and the wider cosmos.

One of the highlights of this short break is a 4.6-kilometre Deep Time Walk. You will explore the stunning landscape while experiencing an account of 4.6 billion years of Earth’s history. Each metre walked will represent 1 million years of time.

This tour is hosted by journalist and author Richard Fisher (Aeon, BBC, New Scientist). He will be joined by an array of leading deep time, geology and astronomy experts including Joesph Botting, Ermina Calabrese (Cardiff University), Michael J. Benton (Bristol University) and Alan Bowring. They will offer a range of fascinating talks and walking seminars over the three days, enabling you to gain an appreciation and understanding of the timelines and processes involved, and the small amount of space and time we occupy in it.

This short break is perfect for those who are fascinated by landscapes, cosmology, palaeontology, geology and astronomy. No previous experience needed and we plan these events so all the the talks are accessible to anyone with a curious mind.

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.

After welcome drinks with New Scientist, make your way to the opera house within the castle grounds, where author, journalist, and event host Richard Fisher will introduce the event then discuss the development of deep time thinking and how it can be used to understand the timelines of our planet and the universe. We have several fascinating talks scheduled to cover a wide range of deep time subjects. Throughout the event, guests are encouraged to participate and ask questions.

After dinner in the castle's grand dining hall, you will explore the cosmos with Professor Erminia Calabrese from Cardiff University, with a talk on 'The Universe: The history of all cosmic processes and timelines ever'.

DAY 2: DAN YR OGOF CAVE TOUR, GEOLOGY, PALAEONTOLOGY AND THE ANTHROPOCENE

Enjoy breakfast on a morning that 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 Earth once created.

After a 30-minute walk along the river Tawe, you will visit the National Showcaves Centre for Wales. (Or 5-minute drive if you prefer) Alan Bowring (Geopark Officer at Bannau Brycheiniog) and colleagues will take you on a private guided tour of the three main cave systems: the Dan yr Ogof, Bone Cave and Cathedral Cave. You will learn how these intricate network and impressive structures were created over 300 million years ago (the last 6 per cent of the earth’s history) and about the geological forces grinding away to shape our world.

After a pleasant walk back to the castle and lunch, you will enjoy a fascinating afternoon of talks in the opera house from Alan and Dr Joseph Botting. Alan will take you on a deep dive of the geology of the Brecon Beacons then Joseph will share with you his discovery Castle Bank in central Wales. One of the most impressive finds of soft-bodied fossils in recent times where everything seems to have been fossilized, revealing a vast array of tiny animals that thrived around 460 million years ago.

After a drink break (tea, coffee and homemade snacks will be available throughout the event), Robert will give a brief talk on the potential new epoch we find ourselves in, the Anthropocene, marked by the impact of human activity on Earth, which some argue began with the industrial revolution.

To finish, there will be a final talk (guest speaker to be confirmed). You have explored nearly 300 million years of deep time today, so enjoy a good rest.

DAY 3: GUIDED DEEP TIME WALK, HOW DINOSAURS REALLY LOOKED AND LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

After breakfast, you will journey to another part of the Brecon Beacons with the Deep Time Walk Project to explore the landscape while 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 4.6-kilometre walk, our impact on Earth is put into stark contrast.

After returning to the castle for lunch, there will be two more talks exploring deep time. Author Michael J. Benton from Bristol University will explore how changes in technology and new fossil finds have impacted research in his talk 'How to study geology and palaeontology scientifically and without a time machine'.

Then Richard will close on a couple of topics: Longtermism and what archaeologists will find of us in 100,000 years, before finishing with final thoughts.

The event officially closes just before 4pm, but you are welcome to stay another night and use the castle as a base to further explore the Brecon Beacons. For those staying another night, 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.

Full details at www.newscientist.com/tours/science-deep-time-brecon-beacons-wales