William Atkins, Laurence Scott, Susan Murray and Rosamund Young are just some of the names starring in the second Science, Nature and Comedy Festival at the National Botanic Garden of Wales on Saturday and Sunday, September 15-16.

Two days of serious thought plus fun and games, gin and chocolate are in store and you will be able to find out all about the Secret Life of Cows and whether the concept of 'self' really is an allusion.

Infinite Monkey Cage star and self-confessed lover of books about man-eating mutant crabs (in Aberystwyth) Robin Ince returns to the Garden hot on the heels of the release of his latest book: I'm a Joke and So Are You.

Among many others, he is joined by John Higgs, author of the acclaimed Watling Street in which one of the best writers of cultural history takes us on a journey along this historic road, which runs from Dover to Anglesey.

Another name is Jo Neary: comedian, writer and actress. In 2004, she received a nomination for the Perrier Newcomer Award for her debut Edinburgh solo show. She has worked on Time Trumpet, Count Arthur Strong, Skins, That Mitchell and Webb Look and is described as “a Joyce Grenfell for our age”.

Christopher Edge grew up in Manchester and is an award-winning children’s author whose books have been translated into more than 20 languages. His latest book is The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day. “Unique and incredibly readable” says The Bookseller.

Also appearing is Bruce Hood, a Canadian-born British experimental psychologist who specialises in developmental cognitive neuroscience. Wow!

Representatives of Carmarthenshire-based Jin Talog and Nom Nom Choc

olate will teach you about how gin and chocolate are made. Free samples will, of course, be available

To book tickets, please visit here. Festival talks, walks, activities and readings are free with admission.

The National Botanic Garden of Wales is open from 10am-6pm daily and entry costs £10.