Antlers and fancy dress: Stonehenge welcomes 8,000 visitors for summer solstice

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Stonehenge Embraces 8,000 Visitors for Summer Solstice Festivities

The majestic sun takes center stage.

Approximately 8,000 revelers congregated around the ancient stone circle on a serene plain in southern England, united by their adoration for the sun or simply seeking communal merriment.

Druids, pagans, hippies, locals, and tourists alike, adorned in vibrant costumes and even donning antlers, gathered at Stonehenge overnight to commemorate the summer solstice, the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere, and welcome the sunrise on Wednesday.

As dawn approached, the sun emerged behind the Heel Stone in the northeastern part of the horizon, casting its rays into the heart of Stonehenge, an internationally renowned prehistoric monument and a designated World Heritage Site.

The sunlit dawn followed a slightly misty sunrise, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of drums, spirited chants, and joyful cheers.

“Stonehenge continues to captivate and bring people together to celebrate the seasons, just as it has for millennia,” said Nichola Tasker, director of Stonehenge at English Heritage, a charitable organization managing numerous historic sites.

“There was a remarkable atmosphere from sunset to sunrise, and everyone relished the enchanting morning,” she added.

In addition to the 8,000 attendees, English Heritage reported that approximately 154,000 people worldwide tuned in to the charity’s livestream to witness the sunset and sunrise.

Throughout the United Kingdom, a prevailing sense of optimism prevails as the official start of summer commences. It is no coincidence that the renowned Glastonbury Festival, one of the world’s largest music events, also commences on Wednesday. Both Stonehenge and Glastonbury are said to lie on ley lines, mystical energy pathways traversing the United Kingdom.

For the multitudes embarking on the pilgrimage to Stonehenge, located approximately 80 miles (128 kilometers) southwest of London, it signifies more than anticipating performances by artists like Elton John at Glastonbury or savoring refreshing ciders under the sun. Many of those present at Stonehenge will venture another 50 miles (80 kilometers) westward to Glastonbury in the following days.

For druids, contemporary spiritualists connected to the ancient Celtic religious order, Stonehenge holds profound significance, and they conducted their rituals in traditional white robes during the solstice. The ceremonies symbolize the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

This year, the summer solstice at Stonehenge commenced at 7 p.m. on Tuesday and continued until 8 a.m. on Wednesday. During this exceptional night, worshippers were granted access to the stone circle. Some chanted, strummed acoustic guitars, or played their drums. Alcohol and sound systems were prohibited, while blankets were allowed, but sleeping bags were not permitted. Climbing on the stones was strictly forbidden.

Over the years, regulations have become stricter, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the past, tens of thousands would journey on foot, by car, bus, or motorcycle to pay homage at this solar sanctuary or simply revel in the festivities.

Stonehenge stands as a symbol of British culture and history, attracting numerous tourists despite the perennial traffic congestion on the nearby A303 highway, a popular route for travelers heading to and from the southwest of England.

Constructed over 5,000 years ago on Salisbury Plain, Stonehenge underwent incremental development, with the distinctive stone circle erected during the late Neolithic period around 2,500 B.C. While the origin of some stones, known as bluestones, has been traced to the Preseli Hills in southwest Wales, nearly 150 miles (240 kilometers) away, the source of others remains a mystery

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about summer solstice celebration