Deep Time Walk - Ashton Court

Meet at: 10.45am for an 11.00am start at Ashton Court’s upper car park by the golf course cafe. Finish at 4.00pm.

What is a Deep Time Walk? Walk the vastness of Earth's 4.6 billion year history on a 4.6km geological timeline through Ashton Court estate, where each step counts for one million years.

Just by putting one foot in front of another, we’ll experience the phenomenal story of the evolution of our planet and life on Earth and glimpse how humans have evolved in the blink of a geological eye, leading all the way to today’s man-made climate and nature polycrises.

There will be creative writing opportunities along the route to reflect on our insights and sharings.

This Deep Time Walk is led by geology educator Mathilde Braddock (Steps in Stone) and creative writing facilitator and activist, Mark Smalley.

The materials are created by the Deep Time Walk Project. 10% of the fees will go towards supporting the Project.

Pricing: we offer this walk with a sliding price scale.

Please consider genuinely what you can afford to pay. If you feel able to purchase the upper price ticket you will help cover our costs and subsiside those joining on a reduced fare.

Route & accessibility:

• 4.6km (3 miles) route around Ashton Court estate beginning and ending at the Golf Clubupper car park (upper car park).
• flat terrain, grassy and metalled paths. The route is not wheelchair accessible.
• we walk for stretches of time and stop regularly. If you are uncomfortable sitting on the ground, you may want to carry a light-weight folding stool with you.
• picnic lunch at the mid-point in the grounds of the estate (no cafe). Bring lunch/snacks with you.

Purpose of the walk: No geological knowledge required and all are welcome. Our Deep Time Walk is a walking meditation from Earth's primal beginnings up to the polycrises of the present moment.

It can be a powerful emotional experience, as we witness the long evolutionary journey that life has been on. These deep time insights carry considerable weight for us here and now.

In light of this, there is a facilitated reflective aspect to the walk with opportunities to reflect on how these insights are affecting us. You will be invited to capture thoughts and feelings in writing, or you may want to just quietly reflect.

At the end of the walk, we will arrive back at the present day and explore what it feels like to be alive in today's world. There will be a light-touch opportunity to share with the group, if and however this feels comfortable. This is not an eco-therapy session.

Why Deep Time? We believe that there is a therapeutic and wellbeing benefit in grasping the enormity of Deep Time and recognising how brief the window is for us to do something about man-made climate change and the accompanying nature crises.

Connecting with Deep Time can create a deep experience of connection, encouraging us towards action. Using creative writing to explore some of our responses can support our exploration and growth, while rooting us in our endeavours as people who care for life on Earth.

We are looking forward to sharing this Deep Time Walk with you. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Email: mathilde@stepsinstone.co.uk

Thanks and see you on the walk!

Mathilde Braddock and Mark Smalley