How to mark Winter Solstice at Stonehenge this year
It is subject to change based on government guidance
Last updated 23rd Dec 2021
The Winter Solstice will be marked at Stonehenge this week, with the public hopefully able to attend for the first time in two years.
People will be able to gather at the stones on Wednesday morning (22nd December) to experience the solstice sunrise.
They are asking anyone attending to take a lateral flow test before setting off and only travel if it is negative and they feel well.
However, those unable to attend will still be able to experience it.
They are once again running their livestream of the sunrise, so people can watch from home.
A livestream was first started for the Summer Solstice in 2020, which was unable to have the public in attendance due to the pandemic.
Jennifer Davies, English Heritage’s Head of Historic Properties for Stonehenge, said:
“We will be livestreaming this year’s winter solstice sunrise so that everyone, no matter where you are in the world, can experience this special moment at Stonehenge from the comfort of home. We appreciate however that solstice is a very special time for some and so we will be opening the site on the morning of the 22nd December for those who wish to mark it in person. This is subject of course to any updated Government or Public Health Guidance and we are asking anyone who is planning to attend to take a lateral flow test before travelling and please only come if it is negative and you are feeling well.”
Many people believe that the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, always falls on 21 December, but because of a mismatch between the calendar and solar year, the December solstice is not fixed to a specific date.
This year, based on advice from the druid and pagan communities, the Solstice will be marked at Stonehenge on the morning of the Wednesday - the first sunrise following the astronomical solstice which occurs after sunset the previous day.
The sun will rise around 8:11am.
English Heritage are encouraging the wearing of facemasks, providing regular hand sanitiser stations and making sure wherever possible that there is plenty of space to socially distance.
Kate Blackburn, Wiltshire Director of Public Health, said:
“We know how special the winter solstice is for some people, and we want all attendees to enjoy the event safely. Although it’s predominantly an outdoor event, it’s really important people take a few simple steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Attendees should take an at-home lateral flow test before they go, and not travel if they have a positive result. The event will be live streamed on English Heritage’s social media channels, so anyone who can’t attend the event can watch it there.”
People are being urged to regularly check the English Heritage website in case government guidance changes.
Plea to plan your journey
English Heritage is urigng people to use public transport with Salisbury Reds running its special service from the city to the monument.
Meanwhile Highways England is advising motorists to plan their journeys along the A303 a
The Monument Field will be opened at approximately 7.45am, dependent on light levels, and will close at 10am.
To assist the flow of traffic both before and after the event, a 40mph speed limit will be in place on the A303 between the Countess roundabout and Longbarrow roundabout, with the lay-bys closed in between.
Gareth Price, National Highways’ Emergency Planning Officer for the South West, said:
“As we have done for previous solstice events, traffic management will be in place for safety and to keep disruption to a minimum, and we advise all road users to check our traffic and travel information channels, plan their journeys and allow plenty of time.”
Drivers can obtain up-to-the-minute travel information by following @HighwaysSWEST on Twitter, by accessing the website: www.trafficengland.com