More than 1 million watch Stonehenge Winter Solstice online
English Heritage describe the success of the stream as 'uplifting'
The Winter Solstice marks the sunrise at the end of the longest night of the year, as a celebration that the 'worst of the winter' is over and the days now start to get longer.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the event this morning (Monday 21st December) was closed to the public.
A live stream has been held through their social media channels instead, with English Heritage telling us that more than 1 million people around the world watched from their own homes.
If you missed it, here's the (rather gloomy) sunrise again:
English Heritage's Stonehenge Director Nichola Tasker said:
"It was very uplifting to see so many people around the world join us online this Winter Solstice and enjoy the atmospheric dawn at Stonehenge. Reading the heart-felt comments, we are really delighted that so many enjoyed connecting with this special place, at the end of an incredibly difficult year for us all.
"We look forward to seeing people back - in person - at Stonehenge for Winter Solstice next year. Stonehenge will be open every day throughout the Christmas holidays except Christmas Day and visitors will get both a warm and safe welcome to this great monument."
Winter Solstice normally attracts around 5,000 people to the stone circle, and is one of the very few times in the year that we're allowed right up close to the monument.
It's also an important event for pagans and druids, who gather for the celestial event.
A handful of people still went along to Stonehenge earlier, but didn't enter the monument field itself.
English Heritage they took advice from both Wiltshire Police and Wiltshire Council in deciding to close the Winter Solstice to the public this year.
Wiltshire Police say they're pleased that was respected:
"We would like to thank everyone for their cooperation during this year's Winter Solstice. We understand that some people were disappointed with English Heritage's decision for Stonehenge and Avebury to remain closed due to Covid-19.
"However, we fully supported this decision and we hope people understood it was necessary to keep the public safe."
The force say there were 'no issues' around the World Heritage Site overnight and this morning.