Okay so you’re too far away from Stonehenge/don’t have the time/fed up of charging through 40,000 overtired revellers: where else can you see the summer solstice this year? Worry not, for here are ten other places on the British Isles you’re more than welcome to see in the midsummer sun. Remember, you can see the summer solstice at our very own Stonehenge Virtual.
1. Avebury Stone Circle, Wiltshire
Just a few miles from Stonehenge, Avebury is a gorgeous megalithic rotunda – bigger than Stonehenge – with its own ancient avenue: the differences being you can freely wander round it on any day, and you can grab a pint afterwards within the circle itself, in the handily placed – if annoying for Druids no doubt – Red Lion. It’s not completely ridiculous that you could knock off Avebury and Stonehenge in the same day (they’re roughly 25 miles apart), though the roads are sure to be just as nightmarish as a jaunt through central London at rush-hour.
Look out for: A cheeky pint after the revelry; the West Kennet Avenue connecting Avebury to the Sanctuary one-and-a-half miles away.
Avoid: Sheep, and everything sheep related (yes); thinking you can hot-foot it from Stonehenge to Avebury in no time – it won’t happen.
2. The Rollright Stones, Oxfordshire/Warwickshire border
Personally, for me the Rollright Stones embody what Britain’s ancient heritage is all about. At first unassuming, almost apologetic in their downbeat appearance, but with an incredible prehistory. The stones may not have the same glamour as Stonehenge, but they certainly pack a historical punch, and by getting close you can see the handiwork that has made them a minor attraction. Don’t expect fireworks, but there will be a few hardy souls to see in the sun if you want a low-key solstice.
Look out for: Your research beforehand – No Neolithic site is truly appreciated without its context, but the Rollright Stones have a particularly colourful past. Look it up at this unusually exemplary website.
Avoid: Noise. The stones are annoyingly flanked by a busy through-road, but you can avoid the dirge by getting yourself behind the copious foliage nearby – it’s a much better sight.
3. Glastonbury Tor, Somerset
Glastonbury is clearly better known for its annual festival, drawing the biggest names from the world of music. But Glastonbury Tor, a pyramidic hill on which sits the ruins of St Michael’s Church, a stunning 14th century AD monastic tower. Every solstice a few hundred revellers see in the midsummer sunrise, though judging by this video it’s not exactly the event Stonehenge promises to be. But if you don’t want to be hemmed in and still get a great vista of the region many historians feel to have once been a vibrant prehistoric civilisation (the view is spectacular), look no further.
Look out for: The wider view. Of course you’ll want to see the sun rise, but take a moment – and your camera – to appreciate what William Blake meant by ‘England’s green and pleasant land’. The view is truly beautiful.
Avoid: Summer clothes. As Ann has already reminded you: Stonehenge is bloomin’ cold. How about 500ft up? Make sure you’re suitably wrapped up for the British summer.
4. Golowan, Penzance, Cornwall
Golowan is best summed up in the blurb on its homepage, which describes it as being created, “on a shoestring, a prayer and the fantastic committment of our community.” The eight-day festival is a hotch-potch of parades, partying and local music. It begins on the 20th and ends on the 27th, which apparently roughly translates to the gap between St John’s Eve and St Peter’s Eve. Expect lots of good ol’ English fun including mayors’ speeches, bonfires and a little drinking.
Look out for: Penglaz the Penzance ‘Obby ‘Oss. A uniquely Cornish phenomenon, Penglaz is essentially a spooky-looking hobby horse which once accompanied Christmas guisers (trick-or-treaters) as they wandered through Penzance. Keep an eye out for his macabre skeletal face and loyal fans.
Avoid: Your daily clothing. As you might expect Golowan is awash with fancy dress, so you’d look a fool in your Sunday best.
5. Sighthill, Glasgow
Sighthill can hardly call itself an ancient stone circle. In fact it’s barely reached its toddler years as far as pagan landmarks go. The Glasgow inner-city circle was created by amateur astronomer and science writer Duncan Lunan in the late 1970s, and was Britain’s first aligned stone circle in over 3,000 years. Sadly for Duncan and Druid Glaswegians the money ran out, and a Thatcher-led government left four of the stones to waste away beneath a bush. Now Duncan wants to revive his scheme, with an inaugural ceremony to be held on the solstice.
Look out for: Duncan himself, who has been working on the project for over 30 years, and is sure to be the most thrilled person in Glasgow if people turn up for the midsummer sun.
Avoid: Your Tory rosette, if you’ve got one. The plans were shelved abruptly in the late 1970s, leaving poor Duncan high and dry. He may not have forgotten.
6. Pendle Witch Camp, Trawden, Lancashire
This low-key event in the north of England may not be stealing any headlines, but there’s plenty to keep you entertained – even if it’s hardly a religious occasion. There’s belly dancing, circus skills, music and entertainment – all with a very, very loose witchy theme. Apparently the festival offers activities for both pagans and cowans, though I’m unaware of any pagan religion worshipping through poi.
Look out for: Just about everything, really – from magic performers to expert dancers…in a muddy field in Lancashire.
Avoid: How about the ‘rare visionary and psychotropic plants and herbs from around the globe’?
7. Orkney, Scotland
The heart of Neolithic Orkney is hardly a secret – it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site – but an abundance in ancient stone circles makes it an ideal place to see in the solstice, if a little cold. Though the Orkney tourist board only runs walks round the Ring of Brodgar each day at 1pm, and the Standing Stones of Stenness every Tuesday and Thursday, you can expect a fair few highland partygoers ready to get a spectacular view across one of the world’s greatest Neolithic sites.
Look out for: A car. Getting public transport around Orkney is about as fun as eating your own eyelids.
Avoid: Again, summery clothes. Yes it’s summer, yes it’s the longest day of the year: but that doesn’t mean you can survive the biting cold of a brisk Scottish morning. And take a flask of cocoa.
8. Castlerigg, Cumbria
Castlerigg is Cumbria’s most visited stone circle, comprising 38 5,000-year-old stones set against the beauty of the Lake District. Arch Druid of Cumbria Paul Bills hails Castlerigg as a growing destination among the pagan fraternity. “Castlerigg is one of Britain’s oldest stone circles, having been dated to around 1,000 – 1,500 years older than Stonehenge, and is unique by having a sanctuary area within it. It is the perfect place to enjoy this most sacred of days.” Don’t take Paul’s word for it – get yourself down to Castlerigg alongside the hundreds of others who celebrate the solstice there each year.
Look out for: Some hiking shoes. This ain’t no Stonehenge with its visitor centre and cups of coffee. You’ll need to work for your sunrise if you want to see it in at Castlerigg.
Avoid: Old wives’ tales. Many people claim to have seen mysterious ‘light balls’ in and around the stones. Maybe they should’ve bought a better camera.
9. The City of London
Tower Hill, one of the capital’s hottest tourist spots, was once a thriving Druid site. Whether these ancient Celts spilled blood on the soil is another point. Nonetheless the City of London may be just as spectacular a place to see the summer solstice as anywhere else: who say you have to celebrate in an ancient stone circle? Take a look at this example from New York’s Manhattan and you may just be turned to the modern side…
Look out for: A frappe-mocha-skinny latte. Or a nice pub to drink in once the sun’s well and truly up, of which there are many.
Avoid: Thinking everyone in London will be rude to you. It’s simply not true, just pick your subjects wisely: probably best not to accost a bunch of football fans while you’re in your Druid robes.
10. Your Own Home
Okay so this is a simple one, but if you simply can’t get down to Stonehenge, or any of the above, why not get up early and see the sun rise out of your bedroom window? It may not be as spectacular, busy or as historically vital as many places, but hey – it only happens once a year and you can stroll down the road, grab a paper and eat some breakfast in privacy. Now that’s something you definitely can’t do at a freezing stone circle in the West Country. Of course knowing the weather there’s a good chance you’ll see little more than grey skies: remember, then, that the skies of Stonehenge Virtual are always crystal clear, and that it’s no more than a few clicks away.
Look out for: Erm, the sun? That’s it, the big yellow thing poking out of the sky.
Avoid: I wouldn’t want to get involved in your private affairs, but fried eggs over scrambled? Bad choice.
