Mysteries of the universe: Cheshire, England

30 August to 1 September 2024 from £959 per person - No single supplement for solo travellers

Spend a weekend with some of the brightest minds in science, as you explore the mysteries of the universe in an exciting programme that includes an excursion to UNESCO World Heritage Site Jodrell Bank to see the iconic Lovell Telescope. Based in a delightful 4-star hotel, over this weekend you will enjoy a series of fascinating lectures that will cover the big bang through to the James Webb Space Telescope.

The weekend will be hosted by Abigail Beall, a New Scientist features editor and astronomer. She will guide you through naked-eye stargazing at night. Additionally, you can explore the southern hemisphere's skies through a remote astronomy demonstration that connects with a telescope in Australia.

You will also hear from leading astronomers, astrophysicists and cosmologists, who will teach you about galaxy formation, the latest research into black holes and what iconic telescopes have already revealed.

Visit Jodrell Bank, located near Manchester, UK. It has been at the forefront of a revolution in our understanding of the universe for more than 75 years, from the discovery of black holes to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. You will spend time at the site including an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the historic 'south side', the original heart of the observatory in the 1940s and 1950s.

You’ll stay in the charming Grade II-listed De Vere Cranage Estate hotel with a friendly group of fellow science enthusiasts. This experience is ideal for solo guests and there is no single supplement if you are a solo traveller.

This weekender is designed for anyone interested in astronomy or cosmology. It is suitable for all levels of experience, from beginners to serious stargazers.

DAY 1: CHESHIRE ARRIVAL AND WEEKENDER INTRODUCTION

Arrive in the afternoon and check into your room at the stunning De Vere Cranage Estate, a historic hotel with a Grade II listing.

You will then join the group and New Scientist’s Abigail Beall. She will introduce you to the weekend ahead and to the first of several talks with scientists who will share some of the amazing stories behind their work and the successes of other telescopes and observatories. The first talk offers an overview of Jodrell Bank and some of the pivotal achievements in its history.

The evening continues with drinks and dinner with your fellow guests and the New Scientist team. Then, weather permitting, we will venture outside for some naked-eye stargazing led by Abigail.

DAY 2: VISIT JODRELL BANK AND AFTERNOON OF TALKS

After an early breakfast, you will take a 20-minute coach journey to Jodrell Bank where you will split into small groups for private tours of its galleries, exhibitions and grounds alongside the iconic Lovell Telescope, and embark on a walking tour to the historic "south side" of its site. You will also have time to explore the site at leisure. Enjoy lunch at Jodrell Bank before transferring back to your hotel.

Once back at the Cranage Estate, we have lined up the following fascinating afternoon talks, covering a range of topics which may include:

The James Webb Space Telescope
Black holes
Radio astronomy

Later in the evening, you can continue the conversation with drinks with our speakers, before dinner and a chance to do some more stargazing, guided by Abigail (weather permitting).

DAY 3: MORNING TALKS AND AFTERNOON AUSTRALIA SATELLITE LINK UP

After a more leisurely breakfast, we’ve got a packed morning of talks and demonstrations.

You may hear all about:

How galaxies form
The Square Kilometre Array
Manchester’s first satellite

After lunch, we will connect via a live link-up with a remote telescope in Australia, hosted by Chris Baker from Galaxy on Glass. We are hoping to have clear weather to see the sights of the southern skies.

We’ll wrap the three days with a closing discussion with the speakers, hosted by Abigail, before you boldly go back to your home planet.

ADDITIONAL DAYS BEFORE AND AFTER

For those wanting to extend their time in and around Lancashire, you are welcome to arrive a few days early or to stay a few more days in order to enjoy the beautiful countryside around Cheshire or visit Manchester and its many scientific sites, including the Science and Industry Museum. This can be arranged for an additional fee.

EVENT NOTES

Full event notes will be issued a few weeks prior to the event.

QUESTIONS

Feel to drop us a line at tours@newscientist.com with your questions.

Email us to discuss

Highlights

Hear from leading experts in astronomy, cosmology and space science.
Live link-up with remote telescope in Australia to view the southern hemisphere's night skies.
Meet New Scientist staff, space experts and fellow New Scientist readers.
Private tour of Jodrell Bank.
Stay at the beautiful, Grade II-listed De Vere Cranage Estate hotel.
Dinner and drinks with your fellow experts, guests and the New Scientist team.

Meet the expert

New Scientist Default Image

Host: Abigail Beall is a writer and features editor for New Scientist, where she also writes a monthly astronomy column. In 2019, Abigail wrote and published The Art of Urban Astronomy and has also co-written three popular science books for Dorling Kindersley. She has helped New Scientist readers explore the night skies over Norway and accompanied Discovery Tours guests to Australia and Chile for astronomy and observatory visits to view the 2023 total solar eclipse. (Pictured above at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.)

In addition, Abigail is a physics, technology and environment journalist whose work has appeared in Wired, BBC Science Focus and BBC Future.

Further guest speakers will be announced shortly.

Their talks will cover such subjects as cosmology, astronomy and the history of Jodrell Bank.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

A full programme of talks and demonstrations
Two nights’ accommodation with no single supplement in a double or twin room
Two breakfasts, two lunches and two three-course dinners. The dinners will be in a private dining area exclusive to New Scientist (please advise in advance if you have any dietary requirements)
Tea, coffees, soft drinks and pastries throughout the event
Naked-eye stargazing session (subject to weather)
Jodrell Bank tour including transport to and from the site
Fully detailed joining instructions pack, sent two weeks before the event
24-hour onsite support
Onsite parking
Access to heated indoor pool, gym and steam room

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Travel insurance
Transport to the venue
Additional snacks, drinks and alcohol
Additional nights of accommodation (Thursday and Sunday night available)

HOW TO GET THERE

The Weekender is hosted at the De Vere Cranage Estate hotel.

By road: The hotel is minutes away from junction 18 of the M6 motorway. The postcode is CW4 8EW.

By rail: The nearest train station is Goostrey, which is just 15 minutes by train from the mainline station at Crewe. Goostrey is just 4 kilometres from the hotel and a local taxi service is available. Alternatively, you can alight at the mainline stations of Crewe or Macclesfield, both of which are 20 minutes away by taxi.

PACE AND PHYSICALITY

The talks will be held in a private conference room with comfortable seating.

The naked-eye stargazing will be subject to weather and will take place in the hotel grounds. A torch, stout footwear and warm clothing is recommended for this activity.

We will provide transport in comfortable coaches to Jodrell Bank, where a walking tour around the site will take place, lasting approximately an hour. There will also be a film presentation in an indoor seated pavilion. Some of the walking tour is on grass, so remember to wear your outdoor clothes from the night before.

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. For this Weekender, there is no single supplement.

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

DE VERE CRANAGE ESTATE HOTEL, CHESHIRE, ENGLAND

Tucked away in a peaceful corner of Cheshire, this Grade II-listed 4-star rural retreat is near the charming village of Holmes Chapel. It has both indoor and outdoor restaurants, comfortable meeting rooms for our event, a heated pool, gym, steam room and tennis courts.

Outdoors, there are 20 acres of attractive gardens with views across the Cheshire countryside. Jodrell Bank is within 8 kilometres of the hotel.

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