The Summer Solstice – also known as midsummer – occurs once a year on June 20th or 21th, when the sun is at its highest point in the sky for those on the northern hemisphere. It’s the longest day of the year and the start of the Summer. It’s also one of the few days English Heritage provides ‘Managed Open Access’ to Stonehenge: You get to spend the night in between the ancient stones and no access fee is charged.
( Looking or info on the 2010 Summer Solstice at Stonehenge? go here! – Photos from the 2010 Solstice – or at least the first batch – now online!)
This year, the ‘Summer Solstice 2009’ takes place Sunday the 21st of June. Practically, this means you can access Stonehenge starting Saturday 7pm until Sunday 8am. The sunrise itself occurs at 4.58am. The weather forecast for it is ‘cloudy with sunny intervals’ and not too hot. Let us hope that doesn’t progress to ‘rain’.
How to get to the Summer Solstice
Stonehenge is located approximately 2½ miles (4 kms) from the town of Amesbury. The nearest bus and railway stations are in Salisbury, which is 12 miles (19 kms) away from Stonehenge. Trains run regularly to Salisbury from London, Bristol/Bath and Southampton and the local bus company, Wilts & Dorset, will running a special service, number 333, from Salisbury railway and bus stations to a drop-off point near Stonehenge. This bus service will commence at 6.30pm on Saturday and run regularly until 1.15am on Sunday 21st June. After sunrise, a service taking people back to Salisbury will start again at 5am and run frequently until 9.45am.
Keep in mind, the walk to Stonehenge from the bus drop-off/collection point is 1½ miles (approximately 2½ kms) (about 20-30 minutes) and is through farmland. Sensible footwear might not be fashionable but is definitely advisable. Also the route is not lit and you may wish to bring a small flash light.
Dos & Don’ts for the Summer Solstice 2009 at Stonehenge
According to English Heritage…
IT’S BEST THAT YOU..
- Don’t take too much luggage. You need to be able to carry & keep an eye on it.
- Wear sensible footwear & warm clothing.
- Bring something small & watertight to sit on.
- Don’t take too much alcohol. Only small amounts are allowed. (four cans of 500ml lager or cider, or 75cl wine/person).
- Remember to take some money with you!
- Bring a responsible(!) adult with you if you’re under 16.
- Recycle your litter.
NOT ALLOWED
- Giant backpacks / suitcases.
- Dogs, pets & other creatures.
- Glass.
- Fires & fireworks.
- Sleeping bags, duvets & foldaway chairs.
- Camping!
- Getting extremely drunk.
- Illegal drugs.
- Climbing on & standing on the Stones. As far as we know, you may touch though. 😉
According to us you should definitely take along:
- A photo camera, a sketchbook, … . Really, if you are going to the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge, you want something to show to all those unlucky persons – like me – that did not get there! Besides, sunset and sunrise at Stonehenge are excellent occasions to take magnificent photographs.
- Toilet paper. That’s just a universal fact. (Portaloos are scary enough without lack of it!)
- Drinks & cookies. Catering, drinks and even a drinking tap is available, but with such a large amount of people expected, better safe than sorry!)
- Me! (Ok, that’s optional, but if anybody reading this is driving from London to Stonehenge on Saturday and has a seat left, please, let me know! ann@heritage-key.com And I know all about Stonehenge, so am excellent company! ;))