Each year on the 21th of June visitors from around the world gather at Stonehenge overnight to mark the summer solstice and to see the sunrise above the stones. (We’re attending as well, go here for live updates and pictures from the Solstice: first photographs from the solstice.) At dawn the central Altar stone aligns with the Slaughter stone, Heel stone and the rising sun to the north-east. The Summer Solstice at Stonehenge is certainly the ‘ancient history’ summer event in Britain to attend.
Summer Solstice Info & Thing to Do
- Pictures from the Stonehenge Summer Solstice 2010 – The Ancestor, the Druids and the Crowd
- Live Updates from the Solstice – Pictures, last minute info, Twitter and trading cards for download
- The Ancestor at Stonehenge – What is the 25ft steel statue?
- The Summer Solstice at Stonehenge – Practical Information (transport, what’s allowed, opening times, …)
- Stonehenge and the Solstices – What’s a solstice? And why is this an important day at Stonehenge?
- The Solstice at Stonehenge Virtual – Can’t make it to the famous stone circle? Experience the solstice online in our 3D reconstruction!
- Standing Stones and Other Sun Traps – 10 more sites in Britain with astronomical alignments
- Photographs from the 2009 Summer Solstice
This year again, English Heritage is expected to provide “Managed Open Access” (free overnight access to the inner circle of stones) to Stonehenge for the Summer Solstice, of which the most important moment is the sunrise at 4:45am on Monday the 21st of June.
Access to the stones is expected to open around 8.30pm on Sunday the 20th of June, until 8am on Monday the 21st of June. Don’t expect a huge Solstice rave, as no amplified music is allowed. (More rules about what you can and can’t bring.)
Taking the public transport (eg. Train from London to Salisbury, a bus from Salistbury to drop-off point and then walk) is definitely the most easy way to go. If you go by car, expect a possible very long queue-time!
The car park will open at 7pm on Sunday 20th June, and close at noon on Monday 21st June. Last admission to the car park for vehicles is at around 6am.Toilets and drinking water are available, and regardless the weather, the early morning is cold, so bring warm clothing, and as always… wear sensible shoes! 😉
Last year’s turn-out was massive – 36,500 people showed up, a combination of good weather and the Summer Solstice happening over the weekend – and definitely a must-attend-again (but take warmer clothing!!!). To give you an idea of the splendid atmosphere, here are my photographs of the Stonehenge Summer Solstice 2009.
We plan to attend again this year, so if you are going too, or have some other Summer Solstice locations in Britain we must definitely visit/list on Heritage Key, let us know in the comments!