New Scientist Discovery Tours expands UK offering

Discover wild Devon and other areas of the UK (photo: Adobe)

It has three new itineraries being added to the renowned tour operator’s existing offering across the UK. With new trips across Cheshire, the Southwest and Devon joining the varied portfolio, those looking for an educational holiday will find fresh inspiration for learning more about Great Britain and its centuries-old, influential developments in science.

Accompanied by field specialists from New Scientist’s expansive network of editors, academics and authors, the experts of knowledge-fuelled holidays provide the discerning traveller with curated itineraries and in-depth experiences that deepen connections to top destinations all over the globe, ensuring travellers feel enriched by their experiences.

The three fascinating tours are part of New Scientist Discovery Tours’ varied UK offering, which also includes The Science History of Scotland: The Enlightenment and Beyond, which due to its popularity in 2022 is returning for 2023.

New for 2023: Mysteries of the Universe, Cheshire, England - 29 September - 1 October 2023 - three days, registration is open.

A truly immersive three-day weekender awaits science lovers who want to go on their very own ‘space odyssey’ as a panel of leading astronomers, astrophysicists, and cosmologists dissects mind-boggling topics including the ‘big bang’ theory, radio astronomy, black holes and the discoveries made by iconic telescopes such as the James Webb Space Telescope.

A private tour of Jodrell Bank, live link-up to a remote telescope in Australia for a view of the Southern Hemisphere skies and naked-eye stargazing are just some of the highlights making the trip a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity.

Hosted by New Scientist’s expert writer and features editor Abigail Beall, participants will stay at the Grade II listed four-star De Vere Hotel Cranage Estate close to the rural Cheshire village of Holmes Chapel. This experience is ideal for solo guests and there is no single supplement.

The extraordinary panel of experts and speakers that will be sharing their wealth of knowledge include Anna Scaife (Professor of Radio Astronomy at the University of Manchester and Head of the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics Interferometry Centre of Excellence), Emma Curtis Lake (STFC Webb fellow based at the University of Hertfordshire), Chris Baker (astrophotographer), Jeff Forshaw (particle physicist), Christopher Conselice (astrophysicist and Professor of Extragalactic Astronomy at the University of Manchester), Laura Wolz (Presidential Fellow (Academic) at the University of Manchester in the Astronomy and Astrophysics Theory Group), and Nicholas Crisp (Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering at The University of Manchester).

What’s included: The full programme of talks and demonstrations, two nights’ accommodation with no single supplement, two breakfasts, two lunches, two three-course dinners, tea, coffees, soft drinks and pastries throughout the event, naked-eye stargazing session (subject to weather), Jodrell Bank tour including transfers, full instruction pack, 24-hour onsite support, onsite parking, access to indoor hotel pool, gym and steam room.

New for 2023: The Science of Rewilding: Coombeshead, Devon, England - 1-3 September 2023 - three days. Open for registration.

With an increasing global focus on rewilding, participants of the Science of Rewilding ‘weekender’ have the opportunity to discover how native species are being reintroduced into the British countryside.

Hosted by New Scientist’s staff writer, Graham Lawton, this three-day, two-night experience provides the unique opportunity to stay at the heart of a conservation-in-action project, Rewilding Coombeshead, which is nestled deep into the beautiful Devonshire countryside. Other ecology experts that will be speaking on the subject include Derek Gow (nature conservationist and author), Ralph Fyfe (Professor in Geospatial Information and Associate Dean of Research for Science and Engineering at the University of Plymouth), Virginia Thomas (research fellow with the Centre for Rural Policy Research at the University of Exeter), and Tim Kendall (Professor at the University of Exeter and author).

Participants will go on a walking safari of the 400-acre rewilding site, where they have the chance to see the animals in the breeding and reintroduction centre and several opportunities to go beaver watching. Free time has also been built into the itinerary for guests to go exploring the surrounding nature at their leisure.

With the option to either sleep in a cosy shepherd’s hut, nearby cottages or pitch up in a tent on the 10-acre meadow, guests can also choose to extend their stay up to six nights to explore this special part of Devon.

What’s included: Two nights camping or accommodation in a shepherd’s hut or cottage, programme of talks, guided walking safari and visit to breeding and reintroduction centre, weatherproof catering, lecture and social barn, two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners with soft drinks, full instruction pack t weeks before the event, 24-hour onsite support, and an optional free extra night’s stay on the Sunday for those camping or staying in a shepherd's hut.

Human Origins: Prehistoric Southwest England: UK 4 September 2023 - five days for £1,595

The English counties of Wiltshire and Dorset are home to some of the UK’s most fascinating and historically-valuable sites, and on this tour participants will visit a variety of National Trust, English Heritage and UNESCO-listed attractions including Stonehenge, Old Sarum, Avebury Circle and Maiden Castle.

The trip will be joined in parts by New Scientist’s Editor-in-Chief, Emily Wilson. Learning about evidence from the Neolithic era, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman periods, travellers will explore ancient trading routes, discover prehistoric tools and artefacts, and marvel at the majestic sights such as the mysterious stone monument of Stonehenge and the imposing earthwork Iron Age Fort known as Old Sarum.

What’s more, participants will be treated to talks from the directors of the Salisbury and Wiltshire museums for a fascinating insight into region’s history.

What’s included: Four nights’ accommodation on a bed-and-breakfast basis, four dinners with wine and two lunches, transfers and full touring itinerary as detailed on the website, entry to all sites and attractions, tour manager throughout the trip and free parking at the hotel.